Japan's top art institute to plug and play degree in game studies
In a game changer for the video game industry, Tokyo University of the Arts will establish a new graduate program in the field starting in April 2026.
University President Katsuhiko Hibino announced the creation of the Department of Games and Interactive Arts by the nation's top art institute, commonly known as Geidai, at a news conference on July 24.
'Traditionally, the Japanese art community has kept its distance from business, economics and entertainment,' Hibino said.
However, with the explosive growth of gaming, Hibino highlighted Geidai's new mission: to study and analyze entertainment from an academic perspective.
The new program will be housed within the Graduate School of Film and New Media and will explore video games as a modern artistic medium.
Students will study games in terms of their design, technology and visual expression.
The program aims not only to train game developers but also to explore how game elements can be applied to broader societal challenges, including those in health care and education.
The course will admit 20 students annually and emphasize small-group, seminar-style instruction.
A faculty of seven, including Geidai professors and experienced industry professionals, will lead the curriculum.
Among them is a developer with a background at Bandai Namco Group who has worked on more than 100 titles, including 'The Idolm@ster,' 'Fishing Spirits' and 'The Drum Master.'
The curriculum includes regular critique sessions, as well as biannual public exhibitions of students' work.
Participants will also have opportunities to engage in international collaborations, including joint projects with the University of Southern California--a world leader in game studies and development.
Entrance examinations are scheduled for January to February 2026.
The program targets graduates from art, engineering and technical colleges, among others.
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