Game Programming Diploma

Learn game programming with Unreal Engine from expert video game developers

Overview

Study game programming online

Career training & mentorship from expert programmers

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:

We are an Unreal Academic Partner
Learn from game experts with real-world experience
Train on industry-standard software
Choose 1-on-1 or small group classes

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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.

Industry Qualification

Diploma

Study duration

9 months

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Intermediate

Prerequisites

Windows PC, and Intro to Game Programming or portfolio submission

Delivery

Weekly online classes, feedback and support

Included software

Unreal Engine, Visual Studio 2019

Start date

Oct 4, 2021

Why study with us

Specialized game development programs to get you studio-ready

Get more out of your education with CG Spectrum, an Unreal Academic Partner. Network and build job skills that prepare you for a career in the video game industry.

Flexible Scheduling

Plan your studies around your work and family commitments

Industry Mentors

Learn from mentors who have worked on best-selling video 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 programmer

Term 1: 12 weeks

Introduction to Game Programming with Unreal Engine

You'll will 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.

How to use the basic features of the Unreal Engine editor
Build levels containing materials, terrain, and gameplay elements
Start building a game with a fully interactive character

Introduction to Unreal Engine
Creating a gameplay feature
Blueprints
Game Mechanics & Systems
Building a Level
User Input & Animation basics
Cameras
UX - UI and Menus
FX & Audio
Adapting to change
Polish & Testing
Post Mortem

Term 2: 12 weeks

Intermediate Game Programming with Unreal Engine

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.

How to fully explore the Unreal animation and cinematics systems
Understand how saving, loading and serialization work
Flesh out your playable game

Third Semester Introduction / Project Review
Player Interactions - Events and Delegates
Memory Management
Level Loading and Streaming
Advanced Animation & Sequencer
Introduction to AI - Behavior Trees & Blackboards
AI Continued - perceptions
Introduction to Networking
Networking continued
Advanced Debugging
Profiling and Optimization
Putting it All Together

Term 3: 12 weeks

Portfolio and Career Development

This final term is about launching your career! With your mentor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best pieces for your portfolio. As a diploma student, you can access additional career development services to learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers.

How to polish your portfolio to impress employers
Be more confident with negotiation
Network & self-promote effectively
Tap into the hidden job market

All diploma students receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from CG Spectrum's Career Development Manager.

Career Pathways
Industry Overview
Portfolio Upgrade
Networking and Online Presence
Resume and Cover Letter
Job Hunting
Freelance Work
Interviews and Pitching
Personal Projects and Challenges
Working in a Studio
Contracts and Negotiations
Personal Roadblocks

Mentors

Get direct access to highly experienced game programmers

All game programming classes are run by experts with years of experience working on games at studios all over the world.

Firas Hosn

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 bio

Dept. Head of Game Programming

Known for Assassin's Creed 3

Bryan Griffiths

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 bio

Mentor of Game Programming

Known for Far Cry 6

Elias Jacobs

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 bio

Mentor of Game Programming

Known for Past Cure

Will Masek

Will teaches Game Programming and Design at an undergraduate level in the UK and undertaking contract work to keep close ties with a number of developers and studios.

Read full bio

Mentor of Game Programming

Known for Sniper Elite III: Afrika

Study Options

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

Study Options

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

$3,199 USD

(3 x payments)

Most popular

Save 25%

Upfront

$7,999 USD

(1 x payment)

Monthly

$1,485 USD

(9 x payments)

Save 10%

Per Term

$3,999 USD

(3 x payments)

Most popular

Save 25%

Upfront

$9,999 USD

(1x payment)

Studios that hire our students

Our commitment to job-outcomes and focus on career development has helped graduates find work at studios all over the world.

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!

Diego Demarco
Game Programming

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.

Raphael Hamzagic de Carvalho
Game Programming

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 Berger
Game Design

I was hired by Ubisoft!

It’s your career success that matters. I applied to some companies with my updated reel and got hired by a studio named Dwarf-Labs where I did some animations for a CG commercial. Then I was hired by Ubisoft where I worked on one of their biggest franchises, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate!