Archive · 24 Jul 2026
USC Games Expo Showcases Student Creativity
The USC Games Expo is a big event where students from the University of Southern California show off the games they've made.
It's been happening for 10 years and is one of the most important events for new game developers.
This year, students showed off games like 'Aftertaste,' 'Sisyphus’s Worst Day (Again),' and 'Unrealtor.'
These games are about different things, like a tongue exploring a body, a mythical character stuck in a loop, and a surreal apartment hunt.
The students work in teams for about a year and a half to make these games.
The event is also a chance for them to see how people react to their games and to learn from professionals.
The school teaches them how to make games using their own skills and ideas, not just relying on computers to do the work for them.
USC Games Expo is a premier launchpad for emerging indie game developers.
This year's showcase featured games like 'Aftertaste,' 'Sisyphus’s Worst Day (Again),' and 'Unrealtor.'
Students spend 18 months developing their games in the Advanced Games Project.
The program emphasizes pre-production and foundational skills over relying on AI tools.
The Expo allows students to receive feedback and see real players interacting with their creations.
- Who
- USC Games students and faculty
- What
- Annual showcase of student-created games
- When
- Held each spring
- Where
- USC School of Cinematic Arts
- Why
- To launch emerging indie game developers and showcase interactive storytelling
Traditional Game Development
Modern Game Development
Development Process
Traditional Game Development
Traditional game development often follows a linear process with clear stages of pre-production, production, and post-production.
Modern Game Development
Modern game development, as seen in USC Games, emphasizes a more flexible and iterative process, with a strong focus on pre-production and collaborative teamwork.
Use of AI
Traditional Game Development
Traditional game development may rely heavily on AI tools for various aspects of game creation.
Modern Game Development
USC Games focuses on teaching foundational creative and technical skills first, treating AI as a tool rather than a substitute for game development.
- Event Name
- USC Games Expo
- Location
- USC School of Cinematic Arts
- Duration
- 10 years
- Program
- Interactive Media & Games Division
- Advanced Games Project
- Capstone course with 18-month development cycle
- AI Integration
- Taught as a tool, not a substitute