Game Design and Virtual Reality: Integration of innovative technologies in higher education

This article focuses on presenting the development of a new academic discipline, "Game Design and Virtual Reality" for students in the "Industrial Design" degree course. Modern technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, and gamification offer new opportunities for transforming traditional higher education. The goal of the proposed discipline is to encourage students’ innovative thinking by providing students with practical skills for developing interactive applications. The curriculum covers the use of the two most popular game engines: Unity and Unreal Engine, designing VR and AR applications, and integrating game elements to visualize processes and complex concepts. The article covers the methodology for creating the discipline, which includes the objectives, approaches, and technologies used. Examples of practical projects such as simulations, visualization and others are also included. The proposed academic discipline connects interdisciplinary areas of design, engineering, innovation, and creativity that are essential for the future of higher education.