Game Design Bootcamp

Game Design Bootcamp

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Go from beginner to industry-ready! In this program you'll learn to deconstruct games, tackle design problems, and create fully playable games.

$14,000.00 USD

$17,500.00 USD
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Financing and flexible payment options available. Learn more

Next Cohort Date

December 2, 2024
December 2, 2024

Program Features

Qualification

Industry Certificate

Duration

12 months

Commitment

20 hours weekly

Skill Level

Beginner to Intermediate

Delivery

Weekly instruction, feedback and support

Start Date

First Monday of each month

Led By

Experienced industry instructors

Features

Flexible schedules and small class sizes (5 max)

Value

Affordable high quality education

Learn game design from the experts

Uncover what makes a video game compelling and build foundations in designing game systems.

Using AAA case studies, learn to build immersive game levels and interfaces, combine different gameplay systems to create more engaging experiences, and discover what it takes to launch a successful game. The goal of this program is to take you from a beginner with a passion for games to a trained professional game designer, ready to enter the industry. No matter what you want to create, we'll give you the skills to create your own digital worlds.

The SMU x Flatiron School difference: 

  • Learn from game experts with real-world experience
  • Small group classes, 100% online
  • Unreal Authorized Training Center and Academic Partner
  • Blizzard Entertainment training partner

Career services built-in

Career services is included with each capstone and bootcamp program. Designed by and for tech professionals, you'll experience a full technical interview process from start to finish, getting direct and personalized feedback each step of the way. Visit the career services page to learn more about the full process.

Pre-requisites: No prior experience necessary. This bootcamp takes you from novice to pro.

Curriculum

Industry-focused online course to launch your career as a game designer

Essentials of Game Design - 12 weeks

Before building a game, it's essential to understand game design theory. This course focuses on how to design compelling games, why certain designs work, and what steps are necessary for success. You'll explore how different platforms influence game design and how these differences must be adapted across genres. Expect to play a TON of games to learn how to analyze and deconstruct them. You'll also learn paper design and concept development, writing level design specifications, and ensuring technical requirements are met.

What you'll learn:

  • Understand what a game and game systems are and how to design them
  • Design compelling game systems, quests & objectives
  • Design core gameplay mechanics
  • Add visuals to enhance levels
  • Start learning the Unreal game engine and building simple prototypes

Weekly Breakdown:

  1. Introduction to Game Systems
  2. System Design
  3. Communicating
  4. Visual Design
  5. Game Genres
  6. Core Systems
  7. Development Process
  8. Single Player Design
  9. Technical Design
  10. Level Design
  11. Prototyping
  12. Creating a Prototype

Core Game Design Principles and Prototyping - 12 weeks

This course emphasizes the importance of moving beyond design theories and quickly turning game ideas into playable prototypes. You'll learn to bring your concepts to life, focusing on execution rather than just ideation. Using the knowledge gained so far, you'll validate and express your ideas, then apply advanced skills in level and game systems design to create a compelling, playable game prototype in Unreal.

What you'll learn:

  • Design advanced game systems, maps and assets
  • Create a compelling game pitch
  • Use the Unreal Engine to design and build games
  • Whitebox a level in Unreal Engine

Weekly Breakdown:

  1. Core Systems
  2. Player Systems
  3. Level Design
  4. Implementing Gameplay
  5. Systems in Levels
  6. Whiteboxing
  7. Combat Systems
  8. Characters & Animations
  9. NPCs
  10. Advanced Level Gameplay
  11. Detailing Levels
  12. Polishing

Professional Game Design and Implementation - 12 weeks

This course focuses on designing and creating AAA combat and action games for PC and consoles using the Unreal Engine. Building on prior knowledge of game design and Unreal, you'll learn to take a game from concept to a fully playable level. With a custom toolkit and all necessary assets, you'll be able to design game systems, create engaging levels, and implement them in Unreal, regardless of your background in art or programming. The goal is to develop a polished game to showcase in your portfolio.

What you'll learn:

  • Create a compelling shooter project in Unreal Engine
  • Design and create amazing combat in action games
  • Implement complex AI in Unreal
  • Design complex objects in the game which players can use

Weekly Breakdown:

  1. Worldbuilding
  2. Stories to Quests
  3. Map Layout
  4. Combat in Levels
  5. Landscapes
  6. FPS Prototyping
  7. A.I. in Levels
  8. FPS Mechanics
  9. Object Systems
  10. Interactions In Levels
  11. Implementing Quests
  12. Player Gameplay

Game Design Capstone - 12 weeks

This final course is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your instructor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best work for your portfolio and learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers. You'll also receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from your career coach.

What you'll learn:

  • How to polish your portfolio to impress employers
  • Interview and negotiation strategies
  • Effective networking and self-promotion
  • Accessing the hidden job market

In addition to your capstone project, here's the weekly breakdown:

  1. Career Pathways
  2. Industry Overview
  3. Portfolio Upgrade
  4. Networking and Online Presence
  5. Resume and Cover Letter
  6. Job Hunting
  7. Freelance Work
  8. Interviews and Pitching
  9. Personal Projects and Challenges
  10. Working in a Studio
  11. Contracts and Negotiations
  12. Personal Roadblocks

Tuition

Flexible small group class are the best way to learn from top industry instructors in a fun, collaborative environment, while still getting plenty of personalized feedback.

Upfront - Save 20%

$14,000

Pay as You Go - Save 12%

$15,400

12 monthly payments of $1,283

Financed Tuition - Save 6%

$16,500

Monthly payments as low as $258*

Course Mentors

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Full Name

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Full Name

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Game Design Bootcamp FAQs

Learn more

Will I earn a certificate or some other credential when I complete the bootcamp program?

Yes! Upon the completion of each program in the pathway, you will receive a Credly digital badge from SMU and a certificate from Flatiron School. Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and certificates can be displayed on portfolio websites and social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thousands of our community members use their program certificates and badges to demonstrate skills to potential employers — including our hiring partners — along with their LinkedIn networks. Our curriculum is powered by Flatiron School, whose programs are well-regarded by many top employers, who contribute to our curriculum, hire our community, and partner with us to train their own teams.

Ready to Change the Game?

Whether you want to build games, design products, prevent the next cyber attack, or create the next internet-breaking AI, we provide the training to bring your ideas to life.

Let's build your future together.

Apply Now