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Game Design Foundations

Learn game design online and turn your passion for games into a career
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Overview

Learn game design from the experts

Expert game design career training and 1-on-1 mentorship

Build on your fundamental game design skills, and create more elaborate video games in this intensive course. 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.

Why study game design at CG Spectrum:

  • Learn from game experts with real-world experience
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes
  • Unreal Authorized Training Center & Academic Partner 
  • Blizzard Entertainment training partner

[more]More[/more]

Dive deeper into the exciting world of games with CG Spectrum's comprehensive game design course. You'll learn advanced level design techniques, take on fun and challenging projects each week, and build the job skills you need to become a valued asset in a game studio.

As an Unreal Academic Partner and online game dev school, we're here to ensure you gain speed and confidence with industry-leading software Unreal Engine, and create original work for your portfolio!

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Qualification

Certificate

Study duration

36 weeks

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Intermediate

Prerequisites

Game Design Essentials course or portfolio submission

Delivery

Weekly online classes, feedback and support

Software

Unreal Engine, Photoshop

Start date

Jan 8, 2024
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Why study with us

The most comprehensive game design course to get you studio-ready

Our expert-led courses prepare you for an exciting career in the video game industry. Turn your passion for games into a career and build practical job skills studios are looking for.

Flexible Scheduling

Plan your studies around your work and family commitments

Industry Mentors

Learn from mentors who have worked on best-selling games

Job-Ready Skills

Build practical, relevant job skills that studios are looking for

Payment Plans

Options to help you pursue your passion and start working sooner
Curriculum

Industry-approved curriculum to launch your career as a game designer

Term 1: 12 weeks

Foundations 2: Core Game Design Principles and Prototyping

It's very easy for game designers to get wrapped up in design theories and ideas. But most game ideas need to be touched, felt, played and tested sooner rather than later. In this term, you’ll learn how to bring your ideas to life and find out what goes into making a fun and compelling game.

Great ideas are a dime a dozen, being able to execute them well is more important. Using the concepts, processes and theories you’ve learned so far, you’ll learn how to validate and express your ideas then apply your new skills and knowledge of level and game systems design to tackle more complex level design problems and areas by creating your own playable game prototype in Unreal.

How to:
  • 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

Portfolio project: UE beautiful corner prototype

  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
Term 2: 12 weeks

Foundations 3: Professional Game Design and Implementation

Action and combat are an important part of many different games and genres. This term is about learning how to design and create great AAA combat and action games for PC and consoles. You'll take all of the theory and basic understanding of the Unreal engine which you have learned in previous terms and really learn how to apply it to make an incredible game that you can show off in your portfolio.

Take your game from idea to designing the game systems, to designing a fun level, to implementing it in Unreal so that others can play it using our custom toolkit for Unreal. You'll have all the assets and tools you need to build a game, even if you are not an artist or programmer.

How to:
  • 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

Portfolio projects: Shooter project GDD, and UE shooter project prototype

  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
Term 3: 12 weeks

Mentored Studio: Game Design

This final term is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your mentor’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 CG Spectrum's Career Coach.

How to:
  • Polish your portfolio to impress employers
  • Be more confident with negotiation
  • Network & self-promote effectively
  • Tap into the hidden job market 
  1. Getting Your Career Started
  2. Self-promotion
  3. Portfolio Prep
  4. Payments and Contracts
  5. Your First Commissions
  6. Finding Your Audience
  7. Staff vs. Freelance
  8. Developing Personal Projects
  9. Path of the Independent Artist
  10. Skill Development Practices
  11. Motivational Guidelines
  12. Emerging Art Career Tips
Course structure

Your pathway to the industry

Dive right into the full study pathway and be industry ready in 1 year.

Pathway illustration for Game Design (Full pathway)
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Mentors

Get direct access to seasoned game designers with years of experience

To be the best, learn from the best. Game design classes are taught by mentors who have worked with major game studios all over the world.

Justin Howe's Work
Justin Howe

Justin Howe

Dept. Head of Game Design

Known for Citizens of Earth

Troy Dunniway's Work
Troy Dunniway

Troy Dunniway

Troy is an award-winning game designer and executive with over 25 yrs of game development experience at major companies like Microsoft, Ubisoft, Insomniac, EA, Disney, and Samsung.

Read full bio

Curriculum Manager of Game Design

Known for Resistance: Fall of Man

Heath Smith's Work
Heath Smith

Heath Smith

AAA Game Designer Heath has 13+ years' experience top studios in North America and Australia on The Amazing Spider-Man, Hitman, and The Tomb Raider franchise.

Read full bio

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Michael Cameron's Work
Michael Cameron

Michael Cameron

While at award-winning game studio Blazing Griffin, Michael released titles like Murderous Pursuits, The Ship: Remasted, Distant Star: Revenant Fleet and Dino Tribes.

Read full bio

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Distant Star: Revenant Fleet

Glenn Storm's Work
Glenn Storm

Glenn Storm

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Mathieu Bissonnette's Work
Mathieu Bissonnette

Mathieu Bissonnette

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Shadow of the Tomb Raider

J.J. Williams's Work
J.J. Williams

J.J. Williams

J.J. has worked at NetherRealm Studios (WB Games), Disney Interactive and Midway Games. Titles include: Injustice 2, Mortal Kombat X, Disney Infinity, John Woo Presents: Stranglehold.

Read full bio

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Injustice 2

Scot Bayless's Work
Scot Bayless

Scot Bayless

Scot helped create the first Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, and was responsible for hits like Falcon 3.0, Crimson Skies, 007: Everything or Nothing and DMC.

Read full bio

Director of Game Development

Known for DMC

Daniel Pinch's Work
Daniel Pinch

Daniel Pinch

Daniel's worked on games like World of Tanks, Damaged Core, and more! He currently works at Airship Syndicate as a Senior Game Designer.
Read full bio

Mentor of Game Design

Known for World of Tanks

Casey Bradley's Work
Casey Bradley

Casey Bradley

Casey is a multi-disciplined designer—he creates levels, designs gameplay systems, and leads design teams. He’s operated in the industry for over a decade and currently works at Traega Entertainment.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for America's Army franchise

Philippe Baude's Work
Philippe Baude

Philippe Baude

Philippe is a Lead Game Designer at Ubisoft. He specializes in 3Cs, Rational Systems Design, Meta-game/Economy Design, and Designer Mentorship. He’s worked on Far Cry, Watch Dogs, and Hyperscape.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Watch Dogs

Ryan Laley's Work
Ryan Laley

Ryan Laley

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Online Education

Alex Zapalac's Work
Alex Zapalac

Alex Zapalac

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Dreamwalker

Roozbeh Madanipour's Work
Roozbeh Madanipour

Roozbeh Madanipour

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Watch Dogs: Legion

Max Tishakov's Work
Max Tishakov

Max Tishakov

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Outriders Worldslayer

Chris Kefalas's Work
Chris Kefalas

Chris Kefalas

Mentor of Game Design

Known for The Callisto Protocol
Pricing

Small Class

The most affordable way to learn from top industry mentors in a fun, collaborative environment, while still getting plenty of personalized feedback.

  • Max. 4 students per course
  • Affordable high-quality education
  • Network while you learn
Pricing

1-on-1 Private

Progress faster and enjoy more flexiblity with private mentorship. Ideal for busy schedules, career-changers, or artists upgrading skills or changing specialties.

  • Maximum level of mentor interaction
  • Greater flexibility to schedule classes
  • Customized learning experience

 

Monthly
$1,185 USD

(9 x payments)

Save 10%

Per Term
$3,200 USD

(3 x payments)

Most popular

Save 25%

Upfront
$8,532 USD

(1 x payment)

Monthly
$1,750 USD

(9 x payments)

Save 10%

Per Term
$4,725 USD

(3 x payments)

Most popular

Save 20%

Upfront
$12,600 USD

(1 x payment)

Frequently asked questions

Game Design Course FAQs

This course requires the successful completion of either the Game Design Essentials or portfolio submission and an accompanying resume.

At CG Spectrum it is VERY occasionally possible to skip the initial Introduction to Game Design Course and start studying in the 9-month full Game Design Course. We HIGHLY recommend that most students do NOT skip the Introduction Term as it covers a tremendous amount of information and skills which will be used throughout the entire program and will require some catching up if skipped.

This introductory course is still incredibly difficult and covers a LOT of material. It includes over 25 hours of lecture videos and over a dozen assignments students need to complete. ALL of the future course material will build upon this foundation.

The course will cover some basic concepts, teach the basics of using the Unreal Engine, teach the fundamentals of system and level design, and teach you how to deconstruct games properly and design using a systemic approach. 

If you have not released an indie game or worked professionally to design PC/Console AAA games, we highly recommend you do NOT skip the Intro term. Even if you have designed mobile games, VR or other genres or platforms of games we do not recommend skipping it as the nuances are different in each.

IF you want to be considered for skipping the introduction term, you must submit a portfolio to be reviewed and considered. The portfolio must include:

  • Example Pitch Deck, Game Pitch, and a Game Design Document (GDD) for a major action, adventure, role-playing, shooter or other mainstream AAA PC/console game.
  • Whitebox level prototype in Unreal Engine or Unity.
  • Example PLAYABLE level or game built in Unreal Engine or Unity. Must also be action, adventure, role-playing, shooter or other mainstream AAA PC/console game.

This will ensure that you are familiar with the right material, concepts and tools to both design new game concepts and build them in a game engine.

If you are unsure if your skills are sufficient, send us your portfolio and we'll arrange a review by the department head and a possible student interview, depending on circumstances.

SUBMIT PORTFOLIO 

Software:

Students can sign up for an educational license for Photoshop (Photography plan only) and Maya for the length of their studies and be reimbursed for the cost.

Unreal Engine is free to download and use.

Hardware:

Students will need a dedicated graphics card, and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Unreal Engine, Photoshop and Maya. 

On completion of the Game Design Course you will have greater confidence in your game design skills and a portfolio of work to show employers.

You will also have access to personalized career services and 1-on-1 time with our Career Development Manager which can help when applying for junior game design jobs such as:

The CG Spectrum community is also an excellent place to network, and find out about game development job vacancies through alumni and mentors already working in the industry. 

Discover more about these game development jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

While CG Spectrum's advanced students have a strong job success rate, we cannot offer guaranteed employment as the game industry is competitive and there is no way of knowing what the market will demand.

The students who experience the greatest success are those who take responsibility for their career, put in the hard work to get their skills and portfolio up to industry standard, leverage their mentor's invaluable expertise and the networking opportunities provided through the CG Spectrum community, and take advantage of every opportunity to excel.

To help students find employment, we have a range of career services and a dedicated Career Development Manager who regularly hosts exclusive career-focused webinars, Q&As, artist interviews and workshops for CG Spectrum students and alumni, and is available to answer career-related questions.

Students in the 9-month programs receive additional 1-on-1 career support, CV/portfolio reviews and help with application/interview preparation. 

If you have any questions about our career services as they relate to your personal career goals, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 
STUDENT SHOWCASE

Quality student work that speaks for itself

With a focus on portfolio preparation, we help students build their competitive edge with high quality work that gets noticed. Get a taste of what our game design students are creating.

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Studios that hire our students

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ubisoft
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All-encompassing 'under the hood' vocational platform for aspiring AAA designers.

The course spells out all the skills you need to succeed in a AAA studio and then gives you the resources to do it for yourself. My mentor takes great interest in steering and supporting me through the design of my own major game concept. I recommend this course to anyone who is up for the challenge of learning to conceive and design their own games, then bringing them to life as working prototypes.

Chris F
Chris F
Game Design

CG Spectrum is helping me grow as a game designer and as a person.

Both my mentor Andrejs Verlis and Dept. Head, Troy Dunniway, have been so encouraging and empowering. It doesn’t even feel like school. I’m finally seeing so many of my interests culminate, and I’m excited to leverage the great networking and career development here for a beautiful future.

Eli B
Eli B
Game Design

I would recommend CG Spectrum to anyone interested in what the school has to offer.

I am really impressed with CG Spectrum: from the classwork, the feedback, the lively student portal as well as all the help provided from all other teams like financial as well as student support.

Elisna S
Elisna S
Game Design

CG Spectrum prepares you to work as a professional game designer from day one.

The most impressive quality CG Spectrum offers is a course that makes study as if you were on your first job. If you are willing to put the energy into studying and do the assignments as if you were on the job, and if you are ready to hear your mentor's suggestions and challenge yourself to push your limits, you will get an experience very similar to the workplace. 

Loris C
Loris C
Game Design

CG Spectrum is the perfect place to gain focus, understanding, an encouragement for your journey.

If you are looking for a supportive place to gain or hone skills in game design or other verticals, CGS is a fantastic and worthy place to dive in.

Shaul H
Shaul H
Game Design

The community at CG Spectrum is amazing!

People are passionate about what they study and do. It's a great study and work environment.

Alexios V
Alexios V
Game Design