<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1647336108819163&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Skip to content
game-programming-essentials-header-01

Game Programming Essentials

Get your start in game programming in our online beginner's course

Overview

Learn Core Programming Concepts for Game Development from Industry pros

This course equips aspiring game developers with a solid foundation in game programming and the skills to build a game from scratch. Through hands-on training and mentorship from experienced game devs, students gain the technical expertise and industry insights needed to prepare for entry-level roles in game development.

Why study game programming with us:

  • Learn from Experts: Mentors with real-world experience guide you every step.
  • Build Games, Not Just Code: Gain practical experience creating playable projects. 
  • Future-Focused Training: Develop skills tailored to today’s game industry.
  • Flexible Study Options: Choose 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4 students)

Take the first step toward becoming a game programmer by gaining the essential skills and knowledge to succeed in the industry—your path to building games and advancing your career starts here!

game-programming-essentials-overview-01
Our Difference

Master Your Skills. Master Your Future.

Our mission is to ensure graduates are the best trained and best prepared for a successful career in their chosen field.

badge_mentor_bronze Industry Mentors Learn from the best! Our instructors are seasoned industry pros and bring real-world knowledge to the classroom, ensuring you're equipped with the skills that studios demand.  
badge_mastery_bronze Outcomes Our goal is to make you job-ready. You'll graduate with technical skills and a deep understanding of the industry, making you a valuable asset to any studio.  
badge_community_bronze Community Join an active community and network with peers, mentors, and industry professionals. Our strong industry connections can help you access job opportunities post-graduation.  
Course Information

Same Course. Same Mentors. Two Ways to Train.

 Flexible ways to learn, shaped around your goals and schedule, whether you want the structure of a group or the focus of one-to-one mentorship. 
Private · one to one

1:1 Career Mentorship

Next Intake
Monthly
Duration
3 months
QUALIFICATION
Certificate

Train with a working professional focused entirely on you, reviewing your work every week the way a supervisor reviews a junior artist. Immediate, specific, tailored to exactly where you are. You set the pace, push past the set curriculum where you need to, and start the month you are ready.

WHO IS THIS FOR
  • Working professionals looking to upskill or pivot without leaving their job
  • Experienced artists who need targeted training in a specific tool or technique
  • Students who benefit from personalised instruction due to additional learning needs
 
  •  
Private 1-hour weekly sessions with a dedicated mentor
  •  
Flexible scheduling and pacing that fits around your life
  •  
Personalised feedback on your portfolio and career direction
  •  
Start any month, no waiting for a cohort
  •  
No prerequisites, assessments, or fixed cohort schedule
Cohort · group class

Group Class

Next Intake
Duration
4 months
Qualification
Certificate

Learn in a small group led by a working professional, with everyone's work reviewed every week the way a studio team operates. You grow alongside people chasing the same goals, sharpening your eye on their work as well as your own, and keep the momentum that comes from not working alone. 

WHO IS THIS FOR
  • Students who learn better in collaborative, social environments
  • Career changers who want structure and accountability while they transition
  • Recent school leavers looking for an alternative to a traditional university degree
  •  
Weekly 3-hour live classes with a small cohort of peers
  •  
Collaborative group projects that simulate studio team workflows
  •  
Structured curriculum with assessments and deadlines that keep you on track
  •  
Watch your work reviewed next to your peers', and learn from their feedback
  •  
Credits transfer directly toward a CGSI degree
Curriculum

Course Curriculum

Programming for Games

Your introduction to game programming starts with learning the fundamentals focusing on the C++ programming language. We will introduce basic C++ syntax as well as advanced techniques, and by the end of the term, you will have enough knowledge to create your first C++ game.

*This short course is equivalent to the first term of the Game Programming Foundations course. If you continue your learning journey, you'll be eligible to join the Foundations course from Term 2 onwards.

What You'll Learn
  • How to apply important game programming concepts used in development
  • Master the basic syntax of the C++ programming language
  • Create a simple C++ game from scratch using your acquired knowledge
Weekly Breakdown
  1. Introduction to Programming
  2. Branching
  3. Arrays, Loops and Input/Output
  4. Functions
  5. Advanced Collections
  6. Structs, Pointers and References
  7. Classes & Object-Oriented Programming
  8. Inheritance
  9. Polymorphism
  10. Algorithms
  11. Design Patterns
  12. Recap Week

Download the Course Guide

Your creative journey begins here! Download our comprehensive course guide and discover the exciting educational opportunities that await you.
Mentors

Learn Directly From Film & Game Mentors

To be the best, it helps to learn from the best. All game programming classes are taught by professional game devs with years of experience.

Student Testimonials

Get The Education You Deserve

turok-origins

"A cornerstone for your career.

I can honestly say that even by having experience in the field, I've gained a mind-blowing volume of understanding, even when considering the most basic of aspects behind Game Design and Development! Concepts I thought I knew now look so different in a new light. Lessons are challenging, and assignments and classes engaging. A must for any professional looking to up their game a notch or 73."

 

fritz-m 
Fritz M  |  Game Development

 
fall-out-4-vr-poster

"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."

 

jeff-giron-headshot-zoom 
Jeff G  |  Game Development

 
kristala-poster

"CG Spectrum has exceeded my expectations in terms of quality of learning, support, and continued guidance from mentors and peers.

Also, the community at CG Spectrum is amazing! People are passionate about what they study and do. It's a great study and work environment."

 

AlexiosVasilakis-square 
Alexios V |  Game Development

 
mlb-the-show-poster

"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."

 

shaulhagen-headshot 
Shaul H  |  Game Development

 
journey-game-poster

"I chose CG Spectrum because I wanted to take my learning to the next level & ensure I was working on the most efficient way to get into the industry.

Chris Swain was the guiding force that kept me headed in the right direction with his sage advice. He was also a calming presence that kept me relaxed during what was often an overwhelming experience.

Thank you Chris for being a friend, a motivator, and a teammate during my time at CG Spectrum and beyond."

 

luke-williford Luke Williford  |  Game Development

 
batora-poster

"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. "

 

loriscasagrandi-rounded-1 
Loris C  |  Game Development

 
borderlands-poster

"My experience at CG Spectrum was second to none, and taught me so much more than I initially anticipated.

My mentor took me from being barely computer literate to an animator working at a studio in only a year and a half. The information and level of teaching at CG Spectrum will absolutely not be found anywhere else."

 

kieranlee-headshot 
Kieran L  |  Game Art & Animation

 
overwatch-2-poster

"Having a mentor definitely helped! It was awesome to have someone I could reach out to when I was stuck.

Getting the weekly feedback also helped in terms of what to improve and what to focus on next. In Term 3, we learned Unreal Engine; I implemented the knowledge I gained in that course to my Advanced 3D Modeling Course to create some additional renders that demonstrated my understanding of using and integrating game-ready assets into an actual game engine.

 

benjamin oman 
Benjamin O  | Game Art & Animation

 
ollie-world

"I highly recommend signing up with CG Spectrum!

I was looking for a final push to bump my skills and finally start applying for jobs as an artist. Shortly after finishing my Advanced 3D Modeling Course I landed my first job as Junior Environment Artist, which was my dream!"

 

kasiap-headshot 
Kasia P  |  Game Art & Animation

 
forza-5-horizon-poster

"Having someone that is part of the industry personalizing your training, and providing honest feedback backed up by years of experience is something very valuable you won't get in other Game Programming Courses.

My mentor assisted me in realizing a game prototype I had in mind for quite a long time, and that was amazing. I highly recommend anyone interested in the course to spend that extra money and go for the 1-to-1 formula, because that's where you'll see the biggest difference with other online resources."

 

luca-perdelli 
Luca Piedrelli  |  Game Development

 
Request Information

Start Your Journey Towards Your Dream Career

Our mission is to train highly skilled graduates ensuring they are prepared for a successful career.  Take the first step towards joining our alumni at world-class studios creating work that inspires.

FAQ's

Game Programming Essentials course FAQs

Learn more about the prerequisites for this course and the game dev careers you could explore in the future. For general questions about studying at CG Spectrum, visit the main FAQ page or contact us.

What are the prerequisites for the Game Programming Essentials course?

Age Minimum
T
he general minimum age to be able to enroll in our industry certificate courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrollment process for applicants under 18.

Students under 16 will require a further assessment before they can officially enrol. This may include an interview with a course advisor and the creation of a study plan to ensure they have considered how they will manage a college-level workload.

English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There’s no specific ’level'; however, you must be able to understand video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.

Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

What are the software and hardware requirements?

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. 

What programming careers can I explore post-graduation?

This short course will get you started on your creative journey, but in a competitive industry, we advise continuing your studies with the full career track.

The game programming career track includes the Game Programming Foundations and Game Programmer Specialization (available early 2025). It is designed to better prepare you for a job in the industry and help increase your employment opportunities.

The career track ensures you build strong foundational skills before moving on to more complex techniques and workflows. You will also dedicate time to career development and preparing a polished portfolio while you gain invaluable industry insights.

Some of the junior programming jobs you could pursue after completing the full study pathway include:

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

Discover More

Looking For Something Else?

Check out our full range of courses with study options for all skill levels, from short introductory courses, specialized industry tracks and accredited degrees and diplomas

view-courses-cta-image