Esports & Game Design in Education

More Than Just Playing Games!

Students love video games. In fact, a recent study found that 85% of U.S. teens play video games regularly (Gottfried & Sidoti, 2024). But what if schools could take that passion and channel it into something more—something that enhances engagement, boosts academic performance, and builds essential skills for the future?

That’s exactly what esports and game design programs do. These aren’t just hobbies or after-school distractions; they’re structured educational pathways that develop problem-solving skills, technical literacy, and teamwork while preparing students for careers in STEM, digital media, and software development.

But here’s the challenge: successfully implementing esports and game design in schools requires expertise, structure, and curriculum. It’s not as simple as just setting up a gaming club or letting students tinker with game development tools. Schools need clear learning objectives, trained educators, and measurable outcomes to ensure these programs have real impact.

The Evidence: Why Gaming Works in Education

It’s well established that students learn best when they’re engaged, and game-based learning has been shown to increase focus, motivation, and problem-solving skills. Studies from ICCE, IEEE, and the Journal of Diversity in Learning confirm that gaming can lead to better academic performance, particularly when combined with structured learning experiences.

One of the most compelling reasons for integrating esports and game design into education is their effect on student engagement. Schools with esports programs often report higher attendance rates, improved grades, and stronger student motivation, especially among those who previously struggled in traditional learning environments. Esports offers a structured, team-based activity that encourages students to take ownership of their learning, much like traditional sports.

Beyond engagement, esports also fosters valuable soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. These skills aren’t just beneficial in gaming. They’re highly transferable to professional and academic settings. Research has shown that students who participate in esports develop better time management, resilience, and critical thinking, all of which contribute to long-term success.

Meanwhile, game design programs introduce students to STEM fields through hands-on, project-based learning. Creating a video game requires students to engage with coding, 3D modeling, animation, and digital storytelling. These skills align with in-demand career paths in software development, engineering, and the creative industries.

Perhaps most importantly, esports and game design can create a stronger sense of belonging for students. Many who participate in these programs report feeling more connected to their school and peers, leading to improved social-emotional outcomes.

The data is clear: games aren’t just entertainment—they’re an incredibly effective way to engage and educate students. But to unlock their full potential, schools need to approach these programs strategically.

Esports in Schools: Competitive Gaming with Real-World Benefits

Esports is rapidly becoming one of the most popular extracurricular activities in schools, and it’s easy to see why. Like traditional sports, it builds teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. But unlike traditional athletics, esports also opens doors to STEM careers and scholarship opportunities.

Schools that implement esports programs often see a surge in student participation, with players demonstrating higher attendance and stronger engagement in their studies. Some schools even report a positive impact on academic performance, as students become more motivated to maintain their grades in order to stay on the team.

Beyond the classroom, esports offers a clear pathway to scholarships and careers. Today, over 200 colleges offer esports scholarships (Esports Tower, 2024), and the global esports industry is valued at over $1.38 billion (Clement, 2025). While not every student will go on to become a professional gamer, many find career opportunities in broadcasting, game development, marketing, event management, and IT—all industries where esports experience can provide a competitive edge.

Of course, running a successful esports program isn’t as simple as setting up a few gaming stations and letting students play. Schools face a number of challenges, including a lack of trained coaches, IT infrastructure limitations, and the need for a structured learning framework.

To ensure their esports program is effective, schools should consider:

• Hiring experienced coaches or seeking external training resources to provide structured learning and mentorship.
• Using a structured, game-specific curriculum that includes drills, strategy lessons, and skill development exercises.
• Ensuring IT support and a competitive framework so students can practice in a structured, goal-oriented environment.

When implemented correctly, esports is more than just gaming—it’s a legitimate way to build leadership, collaboration, and technical skills that prepare students for real-world success.

Game Design: Teaching Students to Create Instead of Just Play

While esports focuses on competition, game design is about creation. It allows students to go beyond just playing games by teaching them how to build interactive experiences from the ground up.

Developing a video game is no small task. Students must combine coding, 3D modeling, animation, and storytelling to bring their ideas to life. Along the way, they engage in problem-solving, iterative design, and critical thinking, all of which are foundational to STEM careers.

Unlike traditional computer science courses, which can sometimes feel abstract, game design provides a tangible, hands-on approach to learning programming and engineering concepts. Students see immediate results from their work, which keeps them engaged and encourages them to push their skills further.

The career potential in game design is massive. The video game industry is valued at over $300 billion (Clement, 2025), and there is growing demand for professionals in game development, digital media, software engineering, and animation. But even for students who don’t pursue a career in gaming, the skills they develop—coding, project management, teamwork, and design thinking—are valuable in almost any modern industry.

However, schools looking to implement a game design program face challenges similar to those of esports programs. Many educators don’t have a background in programming or digital design, and without a clear curriculum, students may struggle to move beyond basic projects. Additionally, schools need to consider hardware limitations, particularly if students primarily use Chromebooks or lower-end devices.

To ensure a game design program is successful, schools should:

• Choose beginner-friendly game design software that allows students to create without needing extensive coding experience.
• Provide a scaffolded curriculum that takes students from simple mechanics to advanced game development concepts.
• Offer teacher training and external support to ensure instructors have the knowledge and confidence to guide students effectively.
• Ensure software compatibility with school-issued devices, ensuring all students have equal access to the tools they need.

By implementing a well-structured game design program, schools can empower students to become creators, innovators, and problem-solvers.

The Future of Education is Interactive

As education continues to evolve, it’s clear that schools must meet students where they are. Esports and game design programs provide a way to engage students, teach valuable skills, and prepare them for careers in technology and digital media.

By taking the right steps, schools can:

• Boost student engagement through game-based learning.
• Implement structured esports and game design programs with clear learning objectives.
• Develop STEM, teamwork, and critical thinking skills through interactive experiences.
• Create clear pathways to careers in gaming, software development, and digital media.

Esports and game design aren’t just hobbies. They’re powerful educational tools that can transform the student experience. With the right approach, schools can harness the power of gaming to prepare students for the future.

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Author: Grant Hathaway

Co-founder of STEM Forged and a passionate advocate for innovative STEM education. With over a decade of experience, Grant is dedicated to empowering educators and inspiring students through hands-on, game-based learning experiences.