From ideas to playable worlds

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

UTAR’s Department of Game Studies continues to train students in game design and development through accredited programmes that combine art, storytelling, and technical skills using industry-standard software and collaborations with leading game studios. This comprehensive approach positions graduates to contribute to Malaysia’s growing digital entertainment sector by creating innovative and playable video games.

The Department of Game Studies at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) continues to advance Malaysia’s creative education landscape by training students to transform imaginative ideas into fully playable video games. Established in 2012 under the Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI), the department offers two Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)-accredited programmes: the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Game Design and the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Game Development. The former emphasizes art, storytelling, and game mechanics, while the latter focuses on programming, game engines, and technical systems including virtual and augmented reality.

Students benefit from hands-on experience with widely used industry software such as Unreal Engine, Unity, 3DStudio Max, Godot, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Blender. The curriculum is shaped through close collaboration with game studios like Virtuos, Codemasters, Metronomik, and Magnus Games. Current engagement with Streamline Studios and Larian Studios, alongside international academic advisors, ensures that the programme remains relevant and industry-informed.

Virtuos Studios, known for contributions to major titles including Final Fantasy, The Elder Scrolls, Bioshock Infinite, Assassin’s Creed, Metal Gear Solid, Call of Duty, and Star Wars Jedi, supports UTAR through scholarships awarded to several students, highlighting a strong industry partnership.

Student achievements were on display during the department’s final year exhibition, “Out-Played,” held in May 2026, where 13 games spanning genres such as role-playing, horror, and narrative-driven titles were showcased to the public. Beyond coursework, the department promotes creativity through initiatives like AnthroJam 2026, collaborating with Universiti Malaya’s archaeology students, and the DreamRealm Jam 2025, a 48-hour game development event co-organized with the Real Possibility Lab, involving participants from UTAR and the Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (Aswara).

On the research front, FCI academics Dr Lee Kin Keong, Dr Liong Mei Yin, and Dr Cheng Kin Meng received the Rising Star Award at the 2025 Akademi Sains Malaysia ArtScience Prize for their interdisciplinary project Woven Emotions. This initiative combines data, technology, and artistic expression to visually represent the collective emotions and well-being of Malaysians.

Assoc Prof Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, dean of FCI, highlighted the department’s holistic approach: “Game development sits at the intersection of art, technology and storytelling. We aim to equip our students with design thinking and technical skills to become creators, not just players, of games.” Department head Tan Han Keong emphasized the importance of balance, encouraging students to step away from screens to foster creativity and well-rounded development.

As Malaysia positions its digital entertainment sector for growth, UTAR’s Department of Game Studies remains focused on nurturing graduates capable of turning innovative concepts into engaging interactive experiences. The university offers a broad range of over 140 programmes across fields including accounting, business, arts, engineering, and health sciences.

UTAR’s upcoming Open Day is scheduled for September 19-20 at its Kampar and Sungai Long campuses. More information is available at www.utar.edu.my or via the respective campus contact numbers.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.