Cultivate your Creativity
At John Paul the Great Catholic University, we believe in the power of beauty to transform culture. We’re shaping the next generation of artists and innovators with academic excellence, unparalleled creativity, and an authentic community centered on Jesus Christ.
JPCatholic’s Game Development program features industry professionals, hands-on projects, and rigorous preparation for your career in creative media. Our unique curriculum model combines a well-rounded overview of the entire Gaming pipeline with the flexibility to specialize in your area of interest by focusing on courses suited to your goals.
Choose from Gaming electives within two different tracks: Game Art and Game Design & Programming. In addition to the hands-on coursework in digital media, you’ll also take our core curriculum which includes Theology, Philosophy, Humanities, and Business.
Game Development Tracks
GAME ART
Focus your Gaming electives on observational drawing, life drawing, 3d prop and environment design, 3d character modeling, texturing, and lighting interactive scenes for your game.
GAME DESIGN & PROGRAMMING
Focus your game development electives on the technical and conceptual side, with coursework in game engines, scripting, level design, interactive narratives, and game design.
General Education
THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY
Grow in faith and understanding with a rich sequence of coursework in Scripture, Theology, and Philosophy.
BUSINESS
Prepare yourself for the industry with foundational skills in marketing, management, and entrepreneurial thinking.
HUMANITIES
Study the human condition by actively engaging in an exploration of art, literature, culture, politics, economics, and more
Envision your future at JPCatholic
Hands-on, Project-based Curriculum
In our Game Development program, you’ll hone the critical skills you will need to flourish in your career. Our hands-on curriculum focuses on creativity and action, bringing your ideas to life with excellence in every aspect of the pipeline. You’ll start creating projects in your freshman year, giving you abundant opportunities to develop your craft.
See student showcaseHands-on, Project-based Curriculum
In our Game Development program, you’ll hone the critical skills you will need to flourish in your career. Our hands-on curriculum focuses on creativity and action, bringing your ideas to life with excellence in every aspect of the pipeline. You’ll start creating projects in your freshman year, giving you abundant opportunities to develop your craft.
See student showcase
Industry Standard Equipment
Our creative arts programs emphasize hands-on experience when it comes to learning your craft— that’s why we give you access to cutting-edge equipment and software starting your freshman year. You’ll have access to all the tools you need to make your vision a reality, including a Motion Capture suit, Wacom tablets, a Drawing Studio, and a professionally equipped Media Lab.
See equipment & facilitiesIndustry Standard Equipment
Our creative arts programs emphasize hands-on experience when it comes to learning your craft— that’s why we give you access to cutting-edge equipment and software starting your freshman year. You’ll have access to all the tools you need to make your vision a reality, including a Motion Capture suit, Wacom tablets, a Drawing Studio, and a professionally equipped Media Lab.
See equipment & facilities
Senior Project Spotlight: Shepherd of Light
In 2019, the Game Development senior class collaborated to launch a fantasy puzzle game on Steam. Within just 2 months of release, the game had over 25,000 downloads with over 300 reviews and a 95% Positive rating! Click through to go behind the scenes with our Gaming students and download the game for free on Steam.
Learn moreSenior Project Spotlight: Shepherd of Light
In 2019, the Game Development senior class collaborated to launch a fantasy puzzle game on Steam. Within just 2 months of release, the game had over 25,000 downloads with over 300 reviews and a 95% Positive rating! Click through to go behind the scenes with our Gaming students and download the game for free on Steam.
Learn more
Our Authentically Catholic Community
Our campus is a place where students can grow both professionally and spiritually. We’re a unique community of artists and innovators, centered around our faith in Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith. Immerse yourself in an abundance of opportunities for spiritual growth, including Daily Mass, Confession, Adoration, Rosary, Retreats, and Service Projects.
Learn moreOur Authentically Catholic Community
Our campus is a place where students can grow both professionally and spiritually. We’re a unique community of artists and innovators, centered around our faith in Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith. Immerse yourself in an abundance of opportunities for spiritual growth, including Daily Mass, Confession, Adoration, Rosary, Retreats, and Service Projects.
Learn more
Our Small Campus Environment
With a total student body under 300, JPCatholic offers a warm, tight-knit campus community. Foster lifelong friendships, form creative partnerships, and surround yourself with a supportive environment that encourages your growth in both virtue and artistic excellence.
Our small classroom sizes offer the chance for one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals who still work in their field.
See student lifeOur Small Campus Environment
With a total student body under 300, JPCatholic offers a warm, tight-knit campus community. Foster lifelong friendships, form creative partnerships, and surround yourself with a supportive environment that encourages your growth in both virtue and artistic excellence.
Our small classroom sizes offer the chance for one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals who still work in their field.
See student life
Generous Scholarships Available
At JPCatholic, we’re committed to making a quality Catholic education affordable for every student. 99% of our students receive a scholarship, and packages take both need and merit into account. Our personalized financial counseling process assists you in identifying all awards you might be eligible for.
Learn moreGenerous Scholarships Available
At JPCatholic, we’re committed to making a quality Catholic education affordable for every student. 99% of our students receive a scholarship, and packages take both need and merit into account. Our personalized financial counseling process assists you in identifying all awards you might be eligible for.
Learn more
Graduate in 3 Years
Our unique academic model prepares students for the real-world pace of professional life in the industry, with a focus on hands-on projects, internships, and portfolio preparation. The program is structured on a year-round quarter system, and you graduate with your Bachelors Degree in just 12 quarters. Each quarter is 10 weeks long, with about 3 weeks of break between each quarter.
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Alumni Success
JPCatholic alumni have found success in a variety of paths, ranging from Hollywood to independent media organizations, and from large corporations to nonprofits to their own entrepreneurial start-ups. View our placement rate and alumni jobs by clicking below.
Learn moreAlumni Success
JPCatholic alumni have found success in a variety of paths, ranging from Hollywood to independent media organizations, and from large corporations to nonprofits to their own entrepreneurial start-ups. View our placement rate and alumni jobs by clicking below.
Learn moreGet an Inside Look
Animation & Game Development Reel
Making a Game in 2 Weeks | Game Production Classes
The Making of “Shepherd of Light” | Game Development Senior Project
Virtual Production | Electives Sequence
Vandals Games | Innovate Spotlight
Adriana DeCarlo | Why We Create
Illustration Program Overview | Prof. Jacqueline Gold
BTS Da Capo | Game Development Senior Project
Meet the Faculty
JPCatholic’s professors have a wealth of experience, and many still actively work in the industry.
Max Hulburt
Professor & Chair of Visual Arts
Christopher Riley
Professor of Film
Eric Van Hamersveld
Adjunct Professor of 2D Animation
George Castro
Adjunct Professor of Animation
Colin Brady
Visiting Professor of Animation
Brian LaFrance
Adjunct Professor of Animation
Joe Shoopack
Adjunct Professor of Game Development
Rodney Figueroa
Adjunct Professor of Game Design
Hear from Students & Alumni
Yssa Mitra
Class of 2021 | Production Coordinator at Drive Studio
“One of my favorite things about studying Game Dev at JPCatholic is the collaboration that occurs among the students. While our professors provide us with plenty of feedback on our digital work, they also encourage us to observe and critique our peers so that we can all help each other improve. On top of that, many classes are based around working with each other so that we can get a variety of skills going all together. This is especially helpful when it comes to the game and animation focused classes, since it allows us to experience working as a team, just like how we would be doing in the field.”
Ezra Ho
Class of 2022
“I am studying game development, specifically the artistic design of game development. Learning about the process and then working on it has been a magical experience. Seeing work truly come to life in a 3D environment is amazing. The idea that the worlds I create are not just flat on a page but actually alive and that I can in fact walk right into them is by far the most rewarding part of my work. I hope that through my work, I can give people that same experience. The experience of other worlds that inspire a sense of adventure and magic.”
John Paul Diodati
Class of 2021 | Associate Unreal Engine Designer and Animator at Drive Studio
“I came to this school with the dream of working on video games, but I had very little knowledge of 3D programs and environment creation. I’d often see the level of work produced by professionals in the industry and feel discouraged. Starting out I had little faith that I would be able to reach those levels. Through Prof. Sartain’s mentorship and the guidance of my other professors, I found the inspiration and the tools to pursue that dream. Now that I am close to graduating at JPCatholic, I feel ready to take on Game Art professionally, and I am forever grateful the school and to my professors.”
Yssa Mitra
Class of 2021 | Production Coordinator at Drive Studio
“One of my favorite things about studying Game Dev at JPCatholic is the collaboration that occurs among the students. While our professors provide us with plenty of feedback on our digital work, they also encourage us to observe and critique our peers so that we can all help each other improve. On top of that, many classes are based around working with each other so that we can get a variety of skills going all together. This is especially helpful when it comes to the game and animation focused classes, since it allows us to experience working as a team, just like how we would be doing in the field.”
Ezra Ho
Class of 2022
“I am studying game development, specifically the artistic design of game development. Learning about the process and then working on it has been a magical experience. Seeing work truly come to life in a 3D environment is amazing. The idea that the worlds I create are not just flat on a page but actually alive and that I can in fact walk right into them is by far the most rewarding part of my work. I hope that through my work, I can give people that same experience. The experience of other worlds that inspire a sense of adventure and magic.”
John Paul Diodati
Class of 2021 | Associate Unreal Engine Designer and Animator at Drive Studio
“"I came to this school with the dream of working on video games, but I had very little knowledge of 3D programs and environment creation. I’d often see the level of work produced by professionals in the industry and feel discouraged. Starting out I had little faith that I would be able to reach those levels. Through Prof. Sartain’s mentorship and the guidance of my other professors, I found the inspiration and the tools to pursue that dream. Now that I am close to graduating at JPCatholic, I feel ready to take on Game Art professionally, and I am forever grateful the school and to my professors.”