RMIT offers the first Bachelor of Design (Games) in Vietnam

Tiếng Việt

RMIT offers the first Bachelor of Design (Games) in Vietnam

Focusing on producing creative drivers who are responsible for bringing a game to life and are generally a cross between a writer, artist and programmer, RMIT Vietnam’s new Bachelor of Design (Games) program contributes game-related personnel to the booming industry in Vietnam.

According to the latest report of the Ministry of Information and Communications, the total revenue of Vietnam's game industry in 2021 was estimated to be 14,500 billion VND, up 11% over 2020.

A survey by Vero revealed that Vietnam has the highest percentage of adults playing games in the world, reaching 85%. It is estimated that the personnel serving the game industry is between 23,000 to 28,000 people, including fulltime, part-time, and freelancers. However, human resource for the game industry is very modest and has not met the growth of the industry. Vietnamese businesses are forced to recruit personnel in foreign markets or outsource games (Vietnambreakingnews, 2022).

RMIT Deputy Dean of School of Communication & Design (SCD) Associate Professor Donna Cleveland said that globally and locally the industry is crying out for expertise in all areas of game design.

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Human resource for the game industry in Vietnam is very modest and has not met the growth of the industry.

“The games industry is growing at exponential speed with over a quarter of the world's population engaging in game play,” Associate Professor Cleveland said.

“The design of games pushes the boundaries of innovation, storytelling, new technologies, and ultimately new experiences.

“Games are very powerful as they have the capability to address our society’s more challenging issues.”

Panellists at the recent program launch event, including game designer at Ubisoft Ngo Thai Son, Head of Game & Simulation at Amanotes Huy Tran and Product Lead about Gamification at MoMo Vu Viet Kien, all agreed that game design requires high level of intellectual activities and game application is broader than the entertainment aspect.

If focusing on the creative options for a greater good, game can support skill development in children, help adults practice new skills, help business connect with customers effectively through gamification, and more.

Based upon the same program at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, the new degree fills the gap of lacking a specialised program and not having enough quality human resources for the games industry.

Being highly project-focused, the program will provide students with in-depth experience of design and production for games, including level design, gameplay balancing, game narratives, and digital project management as well as a basic knowledge of game art, game programming, and game scripting.

Associate Professor Cleveland emphasised designing games is a multidisciplinary job “that often requires you to understand a little of everything”.

“It’s not just about playing games and having ideas,” she said.

“A game designer need not only a strong background in some basic aspects of technical game design and game programming, but also excellent storytelling skills with some level of artistic ability.”

“With broad connection to industry, students will have the chance to develop productive connections with creative leaders in the Vietnamese gaming space, as well as internship opportunities at prominent studios for real-world learning scenarios.”

Associate Professor Cleveland added "while the gaming industry is traditionally a male dominated field, it is changing at fast pace, RMIT Vietnam strives to be part of this change by especially encouraging female applicants”.

Story: Ha Hoang

Communication and design

Media Release

07 June 2022