What is Game Design? Courses, Fees, Top Institutes, Careers & Salary 2026
Diya NihalaniContent Author
Game design basically refers to creating characters, levels, obstacles, storyline, and rules of a game. It is a small but important part of the larger process of game development. The game designer must have writing, aesthetic, and programming skills and a deeper understanding of player psychology. The purpose is to get the player to interact with the game narrative through a logical sequence.
Today, the ecosystem of the video games industry is booming with creators, designers, developers, publishers, and distributors.
Game Design Course Highlights
Game Design is just like Films. The only difference in learning the game design course is that the audience will be the players and they will live the story virtually. Thus the student who wants to pursue this course needs to be extremely creative. The table mentioned below highlights the different Game Design Courses that are available in India -
|
Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Course Level |
Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Online Programmes |
|
Duration |
Online Courses - 6 weeks to 25 weeks UG- 3-4 years PG-2 years |
|
Eligibility |
For Online Courses - 10+2 in any stream For Postgraduate Courses- Bachelor's degree in design |
|
Fees |
Up to INR 10 lakh |
|
Top Institutions |
|
|
Average Salary |
Up to INR 15 lakh |
|
Top Recruiters |
Nvidia, Rockstar Games, Capcom, Valve Corporation, Lila Games, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Epic Games, Square Enix, Sega, etc. |
|
Job Positions |
Game Designer, Creative Director, Game Producer, Game Animator, Game Writer, Audio Engineer |
Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.
Current Trends in Game Design
Gaming trends such as Metaverse, AR/VR, mobile gaming with 5G, Gaming as a Service (GaaS), GenAI, etc., are set to create newer opportunities for game designers and developers worldwide. Such growth is possible as the current landscape is powered by faster internet and growing smartphone users.
Here are some important statistics regarding these trends.
- By 2026 the AR and VR video game market will reach USD 11.0 billion (Industry ARC).
- The Metaverse video game market will reach 710.21 billion by 2027 (Global Market Estimates).
- Blockchain game market is estimated to reach USD 218 billion (emizentech).
- The cloud gaming is expected to reach USD 6.1 billion in 2025 (EY).
- Generative-AI powered NPCs are going to be big in 2025 and these will be built using the Unreal Engine plugin, according to Creativebloq.
For game designers and gamers both, GaaS (Gaming as a Service) demonstrates a shift in game distribution.
It can reduce the requirement for hardware upgrades that are quite expensive. Also gaming experiences can be personalised.
- Eligibility and Admission Process
- Game Design Entrance Exams
- Top Rate Courses in Game Design
- Syllabus for Game Design Courses
- Top Game Design Colleges in India
- Popular Private Game Design Colleges in India
- Careers in Game Design in India
- Game Design FAQs
- Popular Game Design UG Courses
- Popular Game Design PG Courses
- Scholarships
Eligibility and Admission Process
The common eligibility for Game Design courses in India is mentioned below -
| Course Level | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| UG |
Pass class 12 from a recognized board with any stream. (Merit varies across colleges) |
| PG | Graduate with a relevant UG degree. (Merit varies across colleges) |
| Certificate | Preferably pass class 12 and have prior knowledge of game design concepts. |
Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.
Game Design Admission Process 2026
Here is a general step-by-step admission process for various Game Design Courses in India -
- Conduct personal-level research and know the eligibility for the UG or PG courses in your chosen college.
- Look out for whether the admission requires appearing in any entrance; if yes, then choose the exam.
- Register and appear for the exams accepted/ conducted by the colleges and wait for the results.
- Apply to the universities/ colleges by filling out the application/ registration form.
- Check out the official websites for your score.
- Attend counselling sessions if shortlisted.
- Pay the fees and get your documents verified before you start with your classes.
Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.
It entirely depends on your learning and career goals. Game design is that kind of field where experience and networking will matter more. It is good to have a degree ie going through the conventional route where you learn the basics.
Game Design Entrance Exams
Here are some top entrance exams for game design courses in India -
| Entrance Exam | Exam Schedule |
|---|---|
|
LPUNEST |
LPUNEST 2026 |
|
IICD |
IICD 2026 |
|
CEED |
CEED 2026 |
| NID | NID 2026 |
Source - Official sites of counselling bodies.
Jan '26 - Feb '26 | MAH MCA CET 2026 Registration TENTATIVE |
Mar '26 | MAH MCA CET 2026 Application Correction Facility TENTATIVE |
Apr '26 | Karnataka PGCET Registration TENTATIVE |
14 May ' 26 | Karnataka PGCET exam date (MBA/MCA) |
Apr '26 - May '26 | NIMCET 2026 Application Form TENTATIVE |
May '26 | NIMCET 2026 Application Form Correction Facility TENTATIVE |
27 Feb ' 26 | Last date to apply for March Attempt |
14 Mar ' 26 | SAT India exam (March attempt) |
For game designers and gamers both, GaaS (Gaming as a Service) demonstrates a shift in game distribution.
It can reduce the requirement for hardware upgrades that are quite expensive. Also gaming experiences can be personalised.
Top Rate Courses in Game Design
Some of the most popular UG and PG Game Design Courses are covered in this section. Read further to know all about the types of courses, colleges, and fees of various Game Design courses offered in India.
Game Design Courses - UG Level
Some of the top UG game design courses are mentioned in the tale below, with the top colleges offering them given alongside.
| Courses | Colleges |
|---|---|
| B.A/ BSc/ B.Des in Game Design |
Pearl Academy |
| JECRC University | |
| Amity University | |
| LPU |
Source - Multiple external/official sites on the web, data may vary.
Game Design Courses - UG Level
Some of the top PG game design courses are mentioned in the tale below, with the top colleges offering them given alongside.
| M.A/ M.Sc./ MDes in Game Design | Amity University |
| Jain University | |
| National Institute of Design |
Source - Multiple external/official sites on the web, data may vary.
Popular Courses
- B.Sc. in GamingJain Deemed-to-be University, Bangalore
- B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (Gaming Technology)SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur
- B.Tech. in Computer Science and EngineeringSGT University, Gurgaon
- B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (Gaming, AR and VR)The NorthCap University
- B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (Gaming Technology)VIT Bhopal University
- B.Tech. in Computer Science Engineering (Human Computer lnteraction and Gaming Technology)IIIT Nagpur - Indian Institute of Information Technology
- B.Des. in Game Design and DevelopmentArtemisia College of Art and Design
- B.Sc. in Game DesignAAFT
- B.Sc. (Hons.) in Computer Science and Game DevelopmentBackstage Pass Institute of Gaming and Technology
For game designers and gamers both, GaaS (Gaming as a Service) demonstrates a shift in game distribution.
It can reduce the requirement for hardware upgrades that are quite expensive. Also gaming experiences can be personalised.
Syllabus for Game Design Courses
While going for various design courses, the syllabus may vary. But the topics will more or less cover these elements or more. Game design is one of the most important areas of game development. Professionals here use creativity and analytical skills to create compelling stories with goals at each level.
Here is a quick overview of the common syllabus taught in game design.
| Module I | |
|---|---|
| Game Development Tools and Techniques | Core Game Mechanics and Challenge Dynamics |
| Introduction to Game Development and Design Theory | Theme/Narrative |
| Game System Design and Logic | Player |
| Module III | |
| Game Balancing | Game Objective |
| Prototyping | Player Psychology and Motivation |
| Graphics Design | Rules/Mechanics |
| Module IV | |
| Animation and Sound Design | Sequencing |
| Programming for Game Development | - |
Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.
Tools To Look Out in a Game Design Course
Both software and coding are important in the field of game design. Here are some tools to learn.
|
Tool |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Unreal Engine 4 |
Powerful and versatile game engine, known for its high-fidelity graphics. |
|
Unity |
Widely-used game development engine that supports both 2D and 3D game creation and platform compatibility. |
|
Godot |
An open-source game engine that supports both 2D and 3D game development and design. |
|
Blender |
A free and open-source 3D modeling and animation software, Blender is used in game design for creating detailed 3D models, animations, and visual effects |
|
Visual Studio |
Microsoft's integrated development environment (IDE), Visual Studio is often used in game development for writing and debugging code, particularly for games developed in C# and Unity. |
Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.
Popular Specializations
- Game Design
143 Colleges
- Computer Science Engineering
8 Colleges
- Graphic Design
3 Colleges
- Computer Science
2 Colleges
- Cyber Security
1 College
- Information Design
1 College
- Multimedia & Digital Media
1 College
5G technology will make gaming experiences better and make it essential for game designers to upskill. This technology will be able to reduce latency to near zero levels.
So real time multiplayer experiences would become much more seamless.
Top Game Design Colleges in India
There are many colleges which offer Game Design courses in various levels. The admissions to Game Design courses are done on the basis of both merit and entrance exams. Tuition costs vary from university to university. Students can shortlist colleges according to their suitability. Some of the best designing colleges which offer Game Design courses are running privately. These colleges have established themselves as leading institutes in the field of Game Design and other specialisations.
The colleges mentioned in the table are listed alphabetically and not in any order of ranking hierarchy.
|
Institute |
Total Course Fees in INR |
|---|---|
|
1 lakh |
|
|
2 lakhs |
|
|
2 lakhs - 4 lakhs |
|
|
2 lakhs- 5 lakhs |
|
|
2 lakhs - 6 lakhs |
|
| 2 lakhs -12.8 lakhs | |
|
3 lakhs |
|
|
5 lakhs |
|
|
5 lakhs |
|
|
5 lakhs |
|
|
6 lakhs |
|
|
7 lakhs- 10 lakhs |
|
|
12 lakhs |
|
|
13 lakhs |
|
| 21 lakhs |
Source - Multiple external/ official sites, info may vary.
Game Design Applications open. Apply Now
Game Design Applications open. Apply Now
Game Design Applications open. Apply Now
The colleges mentioned in the table are listed alphabetically and not in any order of ranking hierarchy.
Institute | Total Course Fees in INR |
|---|---|
1 lakh | |
2 lakhs | |
2 Lacs - 4 lakhs | |
2 lakhs- 5 lakhs | |
2 Lacs - 6 lakhs | |
| 2 Lacs -12.8 lakhs |
Popular Private Game Design Colleges in India
Game Design Applications open. Apply Now
Game Design Applications open. Apply Now
Game Design Applications open. Apply Now
Game Design Applications open. Apply Now
Careers in Game Design in India
Candidates can see the table below for the job roles offered after completing Game Design courses -
|
Role |
Skills Required |
Average Salary Per Year |
|---|---|---|
|
Game Designer |
Creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, game mechanics, level design |
INR 7.9 Lakhs |
|
Level Designer |
Spatial awareness, creativity, storytelling, game mechanics |
INR 4.1 Lakhs |
|
Game Artist |
Artistic skills, 2D/3D modeling, texturing, animation, visual design |
INR 5.0 Lakhs |
|
Game Programmer |
Programming languages (e.g., C++, C#, Python), problem-solving, logical thinking |
INR 4.2 Lakhs |
|
Game Tester |
Attention to detail, patience, problem-solving, communication |
INR 3.0 Lakhs |
Source - External site and may vary.
Top Recruiters
Candidates can see the table below for the top recruiters participated after Game Design course -
|
Company |
Stats and History |
Known For |
|---|---|---|
|
Ubisoft |
Leading game publisher and developer with a diverse portfolio. Founded in 1986. |
Assassin's Creed series |
|
Blizzard Entertainment |
Known for immersive and highly polished game experiences. Founded in 1991. |
World of Warcraft |
|
Rockstar Games |
Creator of critically acclaimed and open-world games since 1998. |
Grand Theft Auto |
|
Valve Corporation |
Developer and publisher known for innovative gameplay and technologies, since 1996. |
Half Life |
|
Square Enix |
Japanese company renowned for its RPGs and captivating storytelling, since 1975. |
Final Fantasy |
|
Sony Interactive Entertainment |
PlayStation console manufacturer and publisher, since 1993. |
God of War |
Source - External site and may vary.
A game designer here earns between INR 1 and 17 LPA. The average annual salary is INR 11 LPA according to AmbitionBox.com. A less experienced game designer with three to four years of experience will earn less than 10 LPA.
Game Design FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Game Design Courses -
A Game Designer will have different responsibilities, based on their expertise level and the company they work at. But the primary responsibilities include the following.
- Create game design documents that are often detailed
- Know what engages different kinds of players
- Be able to test gameplay concepts
- Be great at collaborating with development teams
- Design game levels and consistent narratives
- Analyse player feedback to improve on the game design concepts
Popular Game Design UG Courses
UG Courses
- UG Diploma
37 Colleges
- B.Sc.
21 Colleges
- BCA
17 Colleges
- B.E. / B.Tech
9 Colleges
- B.A.
5 Colleges
Popular Game Design PG Courses
PG Courses
- M.Sc.
9 Colleges
- MCA
4 Colleges
- PG Diploma
4 Colleges
- M.Des
1 College
- M.E./M.Tech
1 College
Scholarships
Here are some top reasons to learn game design.
- The Economic Times
- According to AmbitionBox, the current yearly salary of a game designer in India with less than a year of working experience is INR 1 LPA.
- Avinash Pandey, co-founder of Lila Games, mentions that although India has skilled engineers and artists.
- The rise of 5G and cloud gaming will make games cheaper by reducing the need for hardware updates.
How to Learn and Excel Game Design Strategically
Here are a few steps you should consider when you want to learn game design.
- Explore the basics of graphic design,.
- Get inside player psychology
- Learn storytelling and character development.
- Learn to use project management tools like
- Learn a programming language like C++, Python, Java, or JavaScript.
- Go for game hackathons.
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When you look for game design courses online you can go to Coursera and edX platforms. Both partner with international universities to develop the curriculum aligned with the latest trends in the industry. These also add the advantage of international university certificates.