The distinction follows an application process that considered curriculum structure, facilities, hardware resources, faculty qualifications and examples of student work.
Elon University’s game design minor has been officially recognized as an Unreal Academic Partner by Epic Games, marking a milestone for the program and certifying the strength of its curriculum, faculty and student work.
The Unreal Academic Partner is an initiative by Epic Games that recognizes universities committed to providing ongoing, high-quality educational opportunities through experienced faculty and well-developed curricula. It highlights programs that create meaningful learning experiences and prepare students for professional opportunities in interactive game media.
“This recognition reflects the overall strength of our curriculum, our development philosophy and the opportunities we create for students,” said Pratheep Paranthaman, associate professor of computer science. “It speaks to the way our minor is structured from teaching core design systems to offering studio-based capstone courses where students work in cross-disciplinary teams and experience a production pipeline similar to what they would encounter in professional studios.”
Unreal Engine, a game engine and software used to develop video games and real-time 3D creation, is used as a development tool for building games, studying core game systems and exploring professional production workflows within the minor.
Paranthaman sees Unreal Engine not just as a software tool, but a platform where students can practice core concepts and apply the knowledge they gain across the program’s courses.
The recognition follows an application process in which Paranthaman submitted details on curriculum structure, facilities, hardware resources, faculty qualifications and examples of student work that met standards for integrating Unreal Engine into the program.
Students and faculty can now gain access to Unreal Academic Partner learning resources, development tools and creative assets at no additional cost, including training opportunities, digital production resources, professional subscriptions and more.
“The partnership broadens learning opportunities, strengthens industry awareness and equips students with tools that support both creative development and long-term professional growth,” Paranthaman said.
Access to high-quality 3D assets and portfolio platforms will allow students to elevate what they are able to create and present.
“When they have access to broader tools and professional platforms, it not only supports their development process but also gives them opportunities to document and share their thought process during the development cycle,” Paranthaman said. “Through portfolios, they can showcase how they approached a problem, iterated on solutions and shaped their creative vision.”
The goal of the partnership is not to follow or react to trends, but to support and complement the foundations the program has already built, explained Paranthaman. The recognition reflects the work of Elon students, whose capstone projects and creative work were essential to the application.
“While the partnership provides important resources, what truly defines our game design program is the community and interdisciplinary collaboration, our students, our faculty, participating departments and the broader university support,” Paranthaman said.