Game Design Essentials

Game Design Essentials

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Find out what makes an addicting game, exploring game mechanics and systems, genres, level design, and world building. Expect a mix of theory, paper design, concepting, and hands-on practice.

$3,600.00 USD

$4,000.00 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

Certificate

Duration

12 Weeks

Commitment

20 hours weekly

Skill Level

Beginner

Delivery

Weekly instruction, feedback and support

Start Date

First Monday of each month

Led By

Experienced industry mentors

Features

Flexible schedules and small class sizes (5 max)

Value

Affordable high quality education

Learn the essentials of game design 

Take the first step to bring your game design ideas to life.

This program is designed to give you an idea of what it's like to design a video game at an AAA game company. Mentored by a professional game designer, you'll discover what makes a game 'fun' and build practical job skills in system and level design.

The SMU x Flatiron School difference: 

  • Be mentored by a world-class game designer
  • Train on industry software Photoshop and Unreal Engine
  • Small group classes (max 5 students)
  • 100% online programs

Over 12 weeks, you'll learn the basics of game design through systems and mechanics; understand different job roles and team structures; deconstruct your favorite games to reveal intricate design decisions; and start designing and building your own game world!

You’ll be personally mentored by an industry expert who will show you the latest tools and techniques used by top game studios. Expect highly personalized training with small class sizes and 1-on-1 private tuition. Classes are 100% online, so you can learn from the comfort of your own home, in your own time.

After completing the program, you have the option to continue on to Game Design Foundations I.

Curriculum 

Industry-approved curriculum to begin your learning journey

Essentials of Game Design  - 12 weeks

Before you can begin building a game you need a basic understanding of game design theory. We'll look at HOW things should be designed, WHY they work, and WHAT you need to do to make a compelling game. See how a platform can change the game design in fundamental ways, and how the differences must be adapted across genres.

Expect to play a LOT of games in the name of research. Every great designer must know how to analyze, deconstruct, and understand how each game differs and why. You'll achieve this by learning how to paper design and concept, getting the hang of writing a level design specification, and ensuring level functionality and other technical needs 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.

Portfolio projects: Game pitch document, game design document, UE gameplay prototype.

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

Tuition

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

Upfront

$3,600

Pay as You Go

$4,000

3 monthly payments of $1,333

Course Mentors

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Full Name

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Game Design Essentials FAQs

Learn more

Will I earn a certificate or some other credential when I complete the Essentials 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.

Do I need prior experience to enroll in the Essentials program?

Nope! This program is designed for complete beginners - no experience required.

Can I skip the intro program and go directly to the Foundations program?

It is VERY occasionally possible to skip the essentials program and go directly to Foundations I. However, we highly recommend that most students do not skip Essentials as it covers a tremendous amount of information and skills that will be used throughout the entire career pathway program and will require some catching up if skipped.

The essentials program is still difficult and covers a ton of material that is necessary for proceeding in the following programs and won't be reviewed in  Foundations. All of the future program material will build upon the essentials.

If you would like to be considered to enter directly into the Foundations-level programs, you'll be required to submit materials demonstrating your proficiency in the materials covered in the Essentials program.

Ready to Make a Change?

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