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Game Development & Esports Management
Game Development & Esports Management
Transform Your Love of Gaming into a Career
Program Overview
Prepare for an exciting career in game development, Esports management, and other technology-driven industries in College of Western Idaho's Game Design and Esports Management program. Gain hands-on experience designing, programming, and managing game projects while learning industry-standard tools and techniques, including leading game engines and digital asset creation workflows. You will also dive into the Esports ecosystem, exploring team management, event organization, and content creation.
Upon completion, you will have the technical skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and adaptability needed to succeed in a fast-evolving field influenced by artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). Through collaborative projects and a comprehensive capstone experience, you will be workforce-ready and prepared to support inclusive, ethical practices across the game and Esports industries.
Learning Opportunities
- Design Interactive Games: Learn storytelling, level design, and game mechanics while creating playable 2D and 3D games.
- Master Industry-Standard Tools: Build skills in Unity, Unreal Engine, and Adobe Photoshop to produce professional-quality digital assets.
- Lead Esports Operations: Develop event management, team leadership, and content creation skills for competitive gaming environments.
- Strengthen Technical Expertise: Grow your programming skills in C#, C++, Java, and Python to support development, analytics, and automation.
- Build a Professional Portfolio: Complete a capstone project and internship that showcase your creative and technical abilities to employers.
Areas of Study
Degrees & Certificates
Game Development & Esports Management – Associate of Applied Science Degree
Cost:
$9,675
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Career Opportunities
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
242
Annual Openings*
$
51.70
Hourly Median Wage*
$
107,536
Annual Median Salary
25.42
%
Growth (2025 – 2035)*
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
12
Annual Openings*
$
37.28
Hourly Median Wage*
$
77,542
Annual Median Salary
5.58
%
Growth (2025 – 2035)*
*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data. Career pathways may require further education beyond CWI.
Admissions
Step 1
- Apply to CWI.
- Choose Game Development & Esports Management as your major.
Step 2
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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Cost & Aid
As a student in this program, you may be eligible for financial aid and scholarships.
Enrichment Opportunities
Enhance your academic experience, expand your knowledge, reach your goals, and celebrate your achievements.
Advising
Already a student? We are here to help you navigate your educational journey, connect you to academic and support resources, and achieve your academic or career goals.
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Clubs
Gaming Club
The Gaming Club is for anyone who plays video games, board games, tabletop, or even card games! Join us as we build and establish the gaming community on campus and connect and build friendships with fellow gamers.
Cyber Club
College of Western Idaho's Cyber Club is a community of tech enthusiasts and security-minded people dedicated to exploring the world of cybersecurity. We focus on building skills in ethical hacking, digital defense, and network protection through hands-on workshops, collaborative projects, and competitions like the National Cyber League.
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