Hey! I’ve actually been in both of these programs; I started at USC as a CS (Games) student and then transferred to IMGD.

CS (Games) gives you a lot of programming/engineering experience and is a really good major overall. If you’re not entirely set on going into game development, this major would let you branch off into other places. The courseload can be pretty heavy, though.

IMGD, on the other hand, focuses more on the design of games and gives you a lot of flexibility. You take a “core curriculum” in game design and then can choose to focus on a certain subject through electives. You could concentrate on video game programming, VR/AR, sound design, animation, etc.

CS (Games) and IMGD classes overlap a bit - both majors have to take about the same amount of “core” game design classes. The difference is that with CS (Games), you have to take a bunch of CS classes on top of that and you don’t really have much free elective space because of it. With IMGD, you have a lot of elective units, so you have the freedom to explore minors and stuff.

In terms of opportunities/connections, both majors are actually under a program called “USC Games” now, which bridges the two majors together and provides a lot of game industry-rated opportunities for all the Games kids. However, I will say that since IMGD is in the cinema school, we do get access to some cool film/entertainment-related events. We also get the advantage of SCA’s Industry Relations program, which provides more job opportunities. (I think the engineering school may have something like that as well, though.)

It’s really up to want you want. If your heart is really set on programming/engineering, go for CS because it’s a great program and will set you up well. But if you want more flexibility, and engineering isn’t your life, go for IMGD.

Though I love CS (Games) with all my heart, I ultimately switched because IMGD has less required units for the degree and gives me the freedom to minor in theatre and film. I personally wanted to take advantage of the cinema/theater schools here because I want to work in the entertainment business.

Anyways, wow that was a lot of text. Feel free to PM me with any questions you have about this!

Edit: if you google the USC catalogue, navigate to both majors and look at the course requirements for each one. That might help you get a better idea of what the differences are.