纽约大学NYU的游戏设计-MFA in Game Design
纽约大学的游戏设计硕士专业，开设在Tisch School of the Arts的Department of Game Design下，全称为MFA in Game Design，是一个2年的硕士项目，目的是培养专门的游戏设计、开发、运维以及评论等专业人才。该专业在2017年Animation Career Review评比的全美50个开设游戏设计专业中排名高居第五位，专业实力毋庸置疑。所有的课程都是围绕着游戏展开的，可以自由的搭配课程，注重创造思维的开发，以探索游戏的设计方法。
两年制的课程设置如下：
SEMESTER ONE
The school year kicks off with orientation, a week of socializing and intensive programming workshops immediately before school begins. Orientation gets everyone comfortable with each other and with making games. Then the first semester begins. Every MFA student takes the same courses during their first term:
Game Design 1 – the fundamentals of creating meaningful choice, with an emphasis on designing non-digital tabletop and physical games
Game Studio 1 – individually and in groups, students create digital games and learn best practices for a successful creative process
Game Studies 1 – introduction to the scholarship of games and critical theoretical approaches to game design
Games 101 – a history class that spans ancient to contemporary games, with an emphasis on actually playing as many of the games as possible
Code Lab Zero – for students less experienced with programming, this optional mini-class serves as a programming support workshop for Game Studio 1 projects
SEMESTER TWO
After the highly structured first semester, things open up considerably in the second. There is only one required class, and it is up to you to fill the rest of your schedule with classes that are meaningful to you.
Game Studio 2 – students work in groups and spend an entire semester creating a single digital game, allowing you to work on a more ambitious videogame project
Electives – the rest of your schedule is determined entirely by your interests and passions, usually three classes in addition to Game Studio 2
Thesis Jam. As the spring semester comes to a close, our students shift their focus to the thesis project they will complete their second year. One way we help students explore their thesis ideas is through the Thesis Jam – a one-week intensive game creation experience that happens after the end of classes.
Summertime. After the second semester ends, many of our students find jobs and internships at game companies – both locally and elsewhere. Other students decide to spend the summer getting a head start on work towards their thesis project.
SEMESTERS THREE & FOUR – THE SECOND YEAR
In the second year of the MFA program, your main focus will be your thesis project. A Game Center MFA thesis can take many forms – many are collaboratively created digital games, but a thesis can also be a tabletop game, a LARP or other live-action game, a game-related conference or event, or some kind of research project.
Thesis – this class provides a structured place for you to work on your thesis project, including research and collaboration, as well as faculty support and critique
Survival Skills – this 2-credit class gives your glimpses of what life is like after graduation. You will hear from speakers in indie development, triple A, and other career paths you may not have considered. At the end of this class, you will have a completed career plan and updated resume and portfolio.
Electives – in the fall and in the spring, you will take additional classes from the NYU Game Center or from across NYU, based on your interests
Spring show. The semester ends with a celebration of NYU Game Center student work, focusing on thesis projects of graduating students.
如果申请该专业2021年秋季入学，需要在2021年1月1日之前提交所有申请材料。学校并未要求一定具有游戏相关的背景，但是每一位申请人除了需要个人陈述、推荐信和简历之外，还需要提供Creative Portfolio。此外，一个好消息是GRE成绩是非必须的，但仍然可以提供作为申请的参考，国际学生必须提供托福成绩，理想的托福成绩100+。
Creative Portfolio Details
Your creative portfolio uploaded to Slate must contain the following:
A 1-page resume, listing projects (game-related or otherwise) you have worked on, as well as all relevant work experience.
A personal statement of no more than 2 pages, in PDF format. In the personal statement, please tell us what interests you most about games and share your personal vision for how you see yourself making an impact in this field. For example, you could speculate on what you might create for your thesis (a year-long, usually collaborative project). You could also discuss an area of focus for your studies and what you feel you can best contribute to group projects. What makes you a strong candidate for the program?
A critical analysis of any game, of no more than 1 page, in PDF format. It should be a thoughtful and insightful analysis of one or more aspects of the game. We are not looking for a description of the game but instead you should demonstrate some insight into how the game works.
One or two projects, which could include digital games, non-digital games, game-related websites, visual designs, writings about games, or other creative projects. While you are welcome to submit more than one project, especially if you’d like to showcase diverse talents, we recommend that you curate your portfolio carefully and show only your best work. Please upload your pieces individually – zipping your files is heavily discouraged.
A 1-page design statement (in PDF format) must accompany each project that summarizes the project, outlines the intentions for each project, your personal contribution (if it is a group project), and a statement about what you learned from the project. At the end of the design statement, please list all of the files you are providing that are associated with the project.
If a project is a digital game or software application: Detailed instructions for installation and interaction, including platform requirements, must be included. You will not be able to upload any game files, so please provide a link to your online game or downloadable game files, and include the link in your design statement.
If a project is a board game, performance, game event, or other physical project: Include detailed documentation of the project, such as photographs, a short video, script, rules of play, etc.
If a project is a visual artwork or series: Include detailed visual documentation of the project (up to 10 images and/or up to 10 minutes of video).
If a project is a video: You may include still images as well as a link to the video itself.
If a project is a written paper or essay: Please upload the paper itself in PDF format. Include at the start an abstract or summary of the essay.
If a project is a website or other online-accessible project: A link to the online project is sufficient.
FOR ALL PROJECTS: A maximum of 10 images can be submitted per project. For video projects, submit a maximum of 10 minutes of video per project. Remember to include at least one visual for all projects that are not purely written or audio in form. See the file formats below for what kinds of files you can upload.
Remember: a maximum of two projects can be submitted. You must include a separate design statement for each project
What file formats are acceptable? Please stick to the following file formats:
Images: jpg, png, gif – up to 5MB each
Videos: mov, smv, flv, mp4 – up to 60 MB each
Audio files: MP3 – up to 30 MB each
ALL written materials (this includes your personal statement, project design statement, and critical analysis): PDF only – up to 10 MB each
