Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Stout's game design programs have maintained their prominence both nationally and internationally, as evidenced by their latest standings in the Princeton Review's rankings for campus game design offerings. The institution's undergraduate programs, which include the B.F.A. in game design and development, along with a computer science degree with a game design concentration, have been ranked No. 5 in the Midwest and No. 24 worldwide, marking an improvement from last year’s position.

The university’s M.F.A. in design program has also seen a rise in rankings, securing the No. 4 spot in the Midwest and No. 21 internationally. The program, which offers a cross-disciplinary approach for students to tailor their learning experience, covers a range of focus areas, including play experiences and narrative-driven storytelling. Erik Evensen, the program's director, stated, “This ranking shows the strength of our students’ interdisciplinary research into game design, but also interconnected areas in digital media.”

Aaron Durst, director of the School of Art and Design at UW-Stout, highlighted the importance of faculty maintaining connections with global game trends. “We have a unique program in the state that prepares students to be a part of and lead the game industry in the upper Midwest at a world-class level,” he noted.

Princeton Review Editor-in-Chief Rob Franek commented on the schools included in their list, saying, “The schools that made our lists have awesome programs in game design. Their faculties are superb. Their facilities are state-of-the-art, and their alumni include many of the video game industry’s most successful designers, developers and entrepreneurs.”

The ranking criteria considered academics, faculty qualifications, technology access, and career prospects. The university is also known for students publishing their games on platforms like itch.io and participating in the Stout Game Expo.

Student Alex Rowley, a 3D modeler and asset developer with Roblox, praised the applied learning experiences received at the university. “I can’t stress enough how much better I am now at game design than I was before college, and I can thank all my art and design classes for that,” Rowley remarked.

Meanwhile, student Lila Daily, an independent contractor for Respawn, acknowledged the value of self-directed practice in art: “Stout has taught me that you really get what you put into your art,” she stated. Both Rowley and Daily have active roles in the industry, working on various projects while completing their studies.

Overall, UW-Stout continues to foster a robust educational environment for aspiring game designers, with opportunities for professional development through conferences and hands-on projects, preparing graduates for successful careers in the gaming industry.