Games aren’t made in single-player mode. Learn the production pipeline in the Game Studio Experience.
The Game Studio Experience is a learning environment modeled after the gaming industry itself, answering the question, “What can we make together?”
We take skills learned in Champlain’s seven individual gaming majors and bring new concepts to life, creating fully functional games as a team. Let’s say you decide to be a Game Art major; get ready to work along side a designer, programmer, sound designer, manager and a publisher to create a portfolio piece that is unique to your studio group.
You’ll start taking major-specific classes in your first semester, collaborate with other game majors on real-world projects building real games, and graduate Champlain Ready.
Over the four years working with colleagues and faculty members, you’ll develop an understanding of the game pipeline from concept to finished product and gain teamwork experience many people don’t cultivate until they have been working in the industry for years.
Our industry-expert faculty will guide you through the rigorous courses that will shape you into a polished game industry professional. There are two main factors that land people the most highly prized jobs in the game industry: the right education and a strong portfolio. Champlain’s Game Studio delivers both.
Game Studio at a Glance
Choose Your Character
Follow your passions by choosing one of seven available Game Studio majors offered at Champlain: Game Art, Game Business and Publishing, Game Design, Game Production Management, Game Programming, Game Sound Design, or Interactive Narrative for Game & Digital Media. Specialize in different aspects of video game development as you hone your craft and practice your skills.
Squad Up
Collaborate with other game disciplines to produce games from concept to finished product for your portfolio. You’ll put your expertise to work in a group environment along with specialists from other game majors just like in a professional game studio.
Follow Your Guides
Champlain game professors are game industry experts who bring real-world expertise to the classroom every day. They’ll give you insights and connections into the industry that you can’t get from a textbook. Invested in your success, they’ll share personal experiences and knowledge you can use on your career path.
Score Big
On your first day of work, you’ll already understand how various game disciplines work together to produce a game. Game studios LOVE this about our Champlain grads! Our alumni work at AAA studios worldwide, such as Ubisoft, Insomniac, Riot, Blizzard, and Sony Bend Studios, to name just a few.
Just a few of the studios where you’ll find champlain alumni
MORE GAME INDUSTRY DEGREE OPTIONS FROM ONE OF THE TOP GAME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Boasting more degree programs in game development than any other college in the country, Champlain College’s renowned Game Studio consistently ranks among the top game development programs, and many of it’s graduates go on to land coveted positions at AAA studios.
Bragging Rights
The Game Studio at Champlain College consistently ranks in the top schools for game design by The Princeton Review—coming in at #12 in 2024.
100% of classes are taught by game industry experts, who have been or remain highly active professionals in the industry.
Champlain College was named a “Most Innovative School” by U.S. News & World Report in its “America’s Best Colleges” 2024 rankings.
It’s Game Time
The Game Studio Senior Show is the culminating event of an intense, year-long competition among teams of students from each of Champlain’s game majors for the ultimate bragging rights. Faculty advance only the top eight games to finals and spread out eliminated teams to join the remaining contenders. Each spring, those eight teams take the stage to present their fully functional games to their friends, family, faculty, and recruiters.
Learn About Senior ShowGame Studio Gallery
Beyond the Classroom
See what opportunities students have in and outside of the classroom. Expand your network and take part in events and organizations found virtually, locally in Burlington, or on our international Montreal campus.
Learn About Hands-On Opportunities
Esports for Everyone
Champlain College Esports (CCE) is a multifaceted community that hosts competitive varsity team matches, club team events, and casual game meet-ups. They offer opportunities for competitive players, casual gamers, and those looking to get involved in staff production by offering options in broadcast, branding and strategy, team management, and more.
Enter the Esports ArenaYou’ve Got Options
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Burlington CampusThere’s something for everyone on and around our Champlain campus. See why Burlington, Vermont, is considered by Travel + Leisure as one of the “Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S.”
Explore Our Home in Burlington -
Montreal CampusMontreal, Canada, is home to some of the top game development studios in the world. Study abroad at our international campus and gain experience to last a lifetime.
Go Where the Games Are -
Summer Game AcademyLooking to get a jump start on your education? Champlain offers several summer programs for high school students that will help build your portfolio and prepare you for the Game Studio experience.
Join Us this Summer
What I love most about working with Champlain students is that they are prepared to hit the ground running when it comes to developing games. Any student coming out of their program has the tools to make an immediate positive impact to a game development studio.
Sign Up To Get a Poster + Helpful Info
We’ll send you info about our game majors plus a poster designed by our students when you fill out this form!
More Inside Studio Experiences
Game Studio Majors
In any of our seven Game Studio majors, you'll build relevant skills in your chosen area of game development, so that by graduation you'll be a collaborative team player with the professional experience needed to work in a studio.
Hands on Opportunities in the Game Studio
There are plenty of events and opportunities both in and out of the classroom to help build skills beyond your major classes. Here, you can form community networks of friends and future coworkers.
Game Studio Faculty
Learn from the very best in Champlain’s Game Studio Experience, collaborating with faculty practitioners with years of practical experience in a complex industry.
Game Studio Portfolio
Explore our curated collection of student work featuring character sketches, environment renderings, design mock-ups, sizzle reels, and more.
Game Senior Show
The Game Studio’s Senior Show demonstrates what it means to be Champlain Ready. Every year, the show highlights the collaborative work of the studio's graduating class, which presents eight fully functional games.