Learn to program games with the world’s most powerful 3D game engine, Unreal Engine, which is responsible for some of the best AAA games. In our online game programming course, you'll harness the power of UE and master programming over 9 months.
Why study game programming at CG Spectrum:
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Unreal Engine has been used to create some of the world's most popular titles for desktop, console, mobile, and even VR and AR experiences. Future-proof your career in this course, which covers C++ programming techniques, plus blueprints, UI development, input, collision, particle systems, animations, user experience and more.
As an online game dev school and Unreal Academic Partner, we're here to help you gain speed and confidence with industry-leading software, equip you with the latest game production techniques, and graduate with original work to show employers.
Certificate
36 weeks
20 hrs weekly
Intermediate
Windows PC, and Game Programming Essentials course or portfolio submission
Weekly online classes, feedback and support
Unreal Engine, Visual Studio
Jan 8, 2024
Get more out of your education with CG Spectrum, an Unreal Academic Partner and Unreal Authorized Training Center. Network and build job skills that prepare you for a career in the video game industry.
Plan your studies around your work and family commitments
Learn from mentors who have worked on best-selling video games
Build practical, relevant job skills that studios are looking for
Options to help you pursue your passion and start working sooner
You'll be introduced to the Unreal Engine editor and see how the editor interacts with C++ code while building levels and gameplay elements. Blueprints will be introduced as another way to visually add logic to your games. You'll build a simple game with input, collision, basic AI, User Interface and audio.
In this term, you will tackle some more advanced uses of the Unreal Engine for a more complete picture of developing Unreal games, including character animations, particle effects, serialization, loading and streaming levels. Finish the term by developing your own fully playable game from scratch.
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.
Dive right into the full study pathway and be industry ready in 1 year.
All game programming classes are run by experts with years of experience working on games at studios all over the world.
While at Ubisoft, AAA programmer Firas released almost a game a year including Far Cry 3, 4, 5, Assassin's Creed 3, Your Shape, Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Watchdogs 2 and 3.
Read full bioDept. Head of Game Programming
Known for Assassin's Creed 3
After 20 years in the industry, AAA game expert Bryan has worked on titles like Too Human, X-Men: Destiny, Rollers of the Realm, Debris, and now Far Cry 6.
Read full bioMentor of Game Programming
Known for Far Cry 6
With over 6 years of experience in the game industry, Ming has worked for Ubisoft, Activision, and Gameloft. He has also applied his programming skills in a wide range of areas.
Read full bioMentor of Game Programming
Known for Tom Clancy's EndWar
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for Watch Dogs: Legion
From indie dev to AAA dev, Elias is an animation programmer at Build a Rocket Boy Studio where he's working on soon-to-be-released game, Everywhere.
Read full bioMentor of Game Programming
Known for Past Cure
Will has taught games programming as a University lecturer before working on the Horizon franchise. Since then he started his own company and works with other studios on a number of exciting projects.
Read full bioMentor of Game Programming
Known for Sniper Elite III: Afrika
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for Gears of War 5
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for The Sims 4
Daniel has experience in game development as well as other applications. He contributed to Marvel Super Hero Squad and was a member of the Need for Speed: No Limits team.
Read full bioMentor of Game Programming
Known for Marvel Super Hero Squad
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for Batman: Arkham Knight
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for Mobile game development
Rob has developed games and experiences for a number of platforms from mobile and desktop to virtual reality. He specializes in creating gameplay mechanics and quick-fire game prototypes for a number of video game companies.
Read full bioMentor of Game Programming
Known for Dev Enabled
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for Infinity Blade series
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for SimCity BuildIt
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for Far Cry 6
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for Gears of War 5
Mentor of Game Programming
Known for VR simulation dev
The most affordable way to learn from top industry mentors in a fun, collaborative environment, while still getting plenty of personalized feedback.
Progress faster and enjoy more flexiblity with private mentorship. Ideal for busy schedules, career-changers, or artists upgrading skills or changing specialties.
(9 x payments)
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(1 x payment)
(9 x payments)
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This game programming course requires the successful completion of either the Game Programming Essentials or portfolio submission and an accompanying resume.
You will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).
Software:
Visual Studio and Unreal Engine will be used in this course and can be downloaded for free.
Hardware:
Students will need a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Visual Studio 2022 and Unreal Engine.
We HIGHLY recommend students do the Essentials 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.
Depending on your programming experience, it is VERY occasionally possible to skip Introduction to Game Programming and start the 9-month Game Programming Foundations.
To be considered for skipping the introduction term, you must submit a CV and portfolio which includes a:
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.
On completion of the Game Programming Course you will have greater confidence in your 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 programming jobs such as:
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.
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 programming students are creating.
If you like games and coding this is a course you don't want to miss!
I started with no previous programming experience and I am already coding my own games from scratch. Firas is an incredible mentor who has encouraged me to stay curious and think outside the box. His support has exponentially increased my progress!
CG Spectrum's training got me hired in the industry.
CG Spectrum helped me build the skills and connections that directly resulted in getting hired as a Gameplay Programmer at New World Interactive.
An amazing journey!
This course is a complete package with the goal of helping us conquer our dream job! I didn't expect to find a C++ programming course aimed at the gaming industry and of such quality. The big difference the guidance of a high-level professional: Bryan Griffiths in my case! In addition to masterfully explaining technical questions, he shares immeasurable knowledge of the industry.
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.