Studios

Looking for a job? Check out these studios who are making games right here in Rochester.

Workinman

Size: ~30 Employees
Since 2006, Workinman has been creating rich interactive experiences for some of the world’s most beloved properties.

Second Avenue Learning

Size: ~20 Employees
Collaboratively creating innovative learning solutions for K12, higher ed, and corporations that transform tomorrow’s leaders.

Darkwind Media

Size: ~20 Employees
Darkwind Media is a Game Development Studio and consultant agency offering contracting services for low level engine porting, game porting, and unique IP creation.

Organizations

Want to get involved? Here are some community organizations connected to games and game development.

ROC Game Dev is an organization dedicated to fostering a community of game creators in Rochester, NY. Our mission is to provide a local platform for game creators at beginner, amateur, and professional levels to learn, share, and collaborate in all aspects of building games.

MAGIC Center

The RIT MAGIC Center is a university-wide research center with a multi-disciplinary entrepreneurial approach to digital media research and production. With a focus on Media, Arts, Games, Interaction, and Creativity, MAGIC blurs the lines between art and technology.

Digital Games Industry Association of Rochester (DGIA)

The Digital Games Industry Association of Rochester is the collective voice for digital games in Rochester, NY. Our members include game studios, universities and community assets including The Strong Museum. Rochester, NY is a hub for game development.

ICHEG (Strong Museum of Play)

The Strong’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games (ICHEG) collects, preserves, studies, and interprets video games, other electronic games, and related materials. A major goal for ICHEG is to examine the ways in which electronic games are changing how people play, learn, and connect with each other, including across boundaries of culture and geography.

Rochester Game Festival

The Rochester Game Festival first opened its doors in 2017 and it remains the area’s only dedicated game convention. More than 4,000 people have attended Rochester Game Festival events over the years, and they’ve been able to try out the latest projects from more than 100 developers headquartered in New York State and the surrounding region.

College Degree Programs

Want to get a degree in game development? Rochester is home to several high ranking programs.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

RIT offers multiple top-ranking programs in game development, including:

Game Design & Development (B.S.)
Game Design & Development (M.S.)
New Media Interactive Development (B.S.)

University of Rochester (UR)

Program: Digital Media Studios (B.S.)

One of the few majors in the nation which combines the study, analysis, and interpretation of media with its production.

Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC)

Program: Game Programming Design (A.S.)

This hands-on degree is tailored for aspiring game designers. Throughout your studies, you’ll be part of a collaborative classroom environment. Each of your classes use the most up-to-date industry equipment.

Villa Maria College (Buffalo)

Program: Game Design (B.F.A.)

Learn the ropes of game design in an environment that will challenge you to power up your creativity and open doors to strengths you didn’t know you had.

Student Clubs

If you are a student at a local university, chances are you have a game development club! This is a great way to connect with other aspiring game developers and learn how to make games – regardless of your major.

RIT Game Dev Club (RGDC)

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/XJYu4SeV

RIT Game Dev club provides an open, creative, learning environment for students passionate about game development with weekly presentations on various topics and game jams every semester

Video Game Dev Club | University of Rochester

Discord: https://discord.gg/WNXmYvf

Our mission is to foster a community for students to design video games, as well as provide an outlet for them to display their work beyond the university community. To achieve this goal, connections both on and off campus will be developed.

Things to Do

Just looking to have some gaming-related fun?

Fun for All Ages:

The Strong Museum of Play

Fun for Children (7+) and Adults (21+):

Fun for Adults (21+):

Radio Social

Resources