come to ucsc with me!
(although im a physics major)

(i know for a fact that we have a game design major, but i didnt know so few colleges offered it! :O)

I have herd good things about Full Sail University in Florida. They have an all online game design major.

http://www.fullsail.edu/index.cfm?fa=landing.Full_Sail_3a&mnc=209&kw=full% 20sail%20university&utm_source=google&utm_medium=c pc&utm_term=full%20sail%20university&utm_content=F ull_Sail_3a&utm_campaign=Branded

game design is a terrible career path. its incredibly competitive and doesnt pay well as a result. everyone says "i want to make video games!" and is willing to work for practically nothing just to get their foot in the door.

if you are actually a skilled programmer, you'll make far more money and get a job far more easily in software development than in game development. the job market is oversaturated with people who think making video games is as easy as playing them.

btw, i am a graduate student in computer science, if that adds anything to my opinion on the matter. i've talked about game development with professors (some of whom know people working in game development) and some of my own friends working in game development. i have not heard a positive thing about it. make absolutely sure it is what you want to do with your life before going down this path.

Like what others said, Computer Science is the core to most game design.

Well, I am actually a freshman in college, and am currently a Foreign Language major (Chinese), but I'm just laying out options and looking at different possibilities.

Thanks for all your input everyone ^_^

Look for com sci classes that encorporate the fundamentals of development. Shader classes, physics courses , ui, etc. Just pick something in cs

Riot needs someone who has a degree in Communications / PR.

Oh, and CLEP the General ED junk. No sense in wasting 2 years of your life.

@OP

My advice to you would be doing some research into the game industry and deciding what role you want to pursue (ie: engineering, art, design) and then focusing all of your efforts on that. Making an early decision on your career path isn't always easy but it can help a lot

Internships / previous experience beforehand are essential, and it's okay to work at a few places under your belt before trying to pursue your dream job -- which is exactly what I did. We have a lot of young developers at Riot as well (for example I'm 22) so don't let age and experience scare you off. That being said the best advice I can give is to make your that you are professionally valuable.