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

SEE GENERAL EDUCATION OVERVIEW

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 SHOWCASE

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 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 & FACILITIES

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 & 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 MORE

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 MORE

Located in San Diego County

Our campus is centered in north county San Diego, just a 35-minute drive from downtown in America's Finest City. Southern California is famous for its fantastic weather, beautiful beaches and mountains, and bustling metropolitan areas. Our campus is just 15 miles from the beach, a short trip by car or train. Most importantly, our strategic location provides students with opportunities to intern with gaming companies in San Diego and even Los Angeles.

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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 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 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 LIFE

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 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 More

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 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.

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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 More

Related Videos

Making a Game in 2 Weeks | Game Production Classes

The Making of “Shepherd of Light” | Game Development Senior Project

Curriculum Overview | Game Development Program

Vandals Games | Innovate Spotlight

Adriana DeCarlo | Why We Create

Impacting Culture Through Games | Game Development Program

Faculty Mentorship | Game Development Program

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

Max Hulburt

Professor of Animation & Chair of Animation and Gaming

Jacqueline Gold

Jacqueline Gold

Adjunct Professor of Art


Nate Sjogren

Eric Van Hamersveld

Adjunct Professor of 2D Animation


George Castro

George Castro

Adjunct Professor of Animation


Colin Brady

Colin Brady

Visiting Professor of Animation


Joe Shoopack

Joe Shoopack

Adjunct Professor of Game Development


Rodney Figueroa

Rodney Figueroa

Adjunct Professor of Game Design


Student Showcase

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Hear from Students & Alumni

Yssa Mitra

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

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

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

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

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

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.”