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Game Design Essentials

Online game design course for beginners taught by expert game designers
Overview

Learn game design fundamentals

Take the first step towards your career as a game designer

This fun, in-depth course gives you a great taste 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 to help kickstart your career in games.

Why study game design at CG Spectrum:
  • Learn to design games even without prior knowledge
  • Gain confidence using industry software Photoshop and Unreal Engine
  • Be mentored by a world-class game designer
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max 4 students)

[more]More[/more]

Over the course of 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 course, you have the option to continue your journey with the full Game Design Foundations. 

game-design-level-overview
Qualification

Certificate

Study duration

12 weeks

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Beginner

Prerequisites

Basic computer skill and a passion for games

Delivery

Weekly online classes, feedback and support

Software

Unreal Engine, Photoshop

Start date

May 6, 2024
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Curriculum

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

Term 1: 12 weeks

Foundations 1: Essentials of Game Design

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.

  • 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.

*This short course is a prerequisite to the more advanced Game Design Course. It will give you the foundational skills you need to continue on your educational pathway.

  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
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

(3 x payments)

Most Popular

Save 10%

Upfront
$3,199 US

(1 x payment)

Monthly
$1,750 USD

(3 x payments)

Most Popular

Save 10%

Upfront
$4,725 US

(1 x payment)

Essentials + Foundations Bundle

Add the Foundations of Game Design and save up to 20%

We understand the unique needs of students pursuing careers in creative industries. That's why we offer curated course bundles that align with specific career paths or skill development goals. These bundles are designed to provide comprehensive training while offering cost savings compared to enrolling in individual courses.

Pathway illustration for Career Track (12 months)
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.

Nicolas Najm's Work
Nicolas Najm

Nicolas Najm

As a triple-A game designer, Nick has worked with giants like Ubisoft Toronto and Insomniac Games on titles such as Far Cry Primal, Watch Dogs 2, Far Cry 5 and Far Cry 6.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Watch Dogs 2

Phil Therien's Work
Phil Therien

Phil Therien

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Eric Jensen's Work
Eric Jensen

Eric Jensen

Eric is a Design Manager at PlayStation's Bend Studio. He is excited to share his journey and knowledge he has gained with others.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Days Gone

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.

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.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Injustice 2

Anthony Cardahi's Work
Anthony Cardahi

Anthony Cardahi

Anthony is a passionate gamer working in the industry for 10+ years. He loves sharing ideas and perspectives, and hopes his experience in the industry can help newcomers.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Metro: Exodus

Travis McGeathy's Work
Travis McGeathy

Travis McGeathy

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Diablo III

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.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for World of Tanks

Stephan Logier's Work
Stephan Logier

Stephan Logier

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Beyond Good and Evil 2

Jonathan Morin's Work
Jonathan Morin

Jonathan Morin

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Watchdogs 2

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

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.

Director of Game Development

Known for DMC

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.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Distant Star: Revenant Fleet

Tim Huntsman's Work
Tim Huntsman

Tim Huntsman

Tim is in his fourth decade of designing and producing video games. He has a number of top-selling and award-winning titles to his name.

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Disney Infinity

Pascal Luban's Work
Pascal Luban

Pascal Luban

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

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

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

Chris Swain's Work
Chris Swain

Chris Swain

Mentor of Game Design

Known for NetWits

Jason Roberts's Work
Jason Roberts

Jason Roberts

Mentor of Game Design

Known for Diablo IV

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
Frequently asked questions

Introduction to Game Design course FAQs

For this game design course, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

Software:

Students are required to sign up for an educational license for Maya during their studies. Instructions for how to obtain an educational license for this software will be provided upon enrollment.

Unreal Engine is free to download and use and is also required for this course.

Hardware:

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

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 Foundations. We HIGHLY recommend that most students do NOT skip 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.

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 

This short game design course will get started on your journey, but in a highly competitive industry, knowing the basics is not enough.

Continuing your studies with the 9-month Game Design Course will better prepare you for a job in the industry.

The full 9-month course covers far more complex techniques and includes 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:

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

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

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 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

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

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

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