The Princeton Review, most commonly known for its rankings of top party schools and other quality-of-life ratings of colleges, has compiled a list of the 50 best undergraduate schools for video game design, ranking the top eight in order.

The rankings, compiled in partnership with GamePro, are:

Many have praised Uncharted 2: Among Thieves for its story and cinematics almost to the exclusion of its gameplay. But the latter is chiefly why it was one of 2009's finest games, argues one writer.

Steve Gaynor, a designer at 2K Marin, understands that he works in an entertainment field, and provides a product nonessential to basic human needs. That doesn't mean video games - and their makers - have no obligation to the public.

The issue of silence in Half-Life or Fallout 3 has a long discussion history, but one critic doesn't consider it a virtue. Stripping the voice from a main character is "a pathway into madness and schlocky conceits," he says.

A director of design and an avowed "hardcore ludologist" ponders why the well constructed games he nominates do so poorly in design competitions, engaging a debate over whether games are a media or designed objects. But they're both, he says.

Uncharted 2's 15 nominations lead all games up for honors at the Interactive Achievement Awards, given by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Assassin's Creed II and Batman: Arkham Asylum also are among the multiple nominees, announced Thursday.