Game Design

We will uncover several approaches to creating games so that you’ll be capable of building a foundation for your own unique ideas and projects. During the first week we’ll discuss what “play” is and take a brief look at the history of ancient gaming and the mechanics of tactile and digital gaming. We will start by examining construction approaches through the creation of board games. You will then explore Unreal Engine 4 (UE4), a professional AAA gaming engine with which popular games like Gears of War, Arkham Asylum, and Borderlands were created. You will learn how to create a level, animate a character and how to program simple interactions using UE4’s “Blueprint” visual scripting system. Blueprints help make programming easier to approach for visually minded people like artist and designers. By the end of the program, you will have created a fully playable level for a 2D side-scroller that you can take home and share with your friends and family. Participating students earn three college credits for satisfactorily completing their chosen two-week Pre-College Program. A maximum of 6 college credits can be earned. Studio time will include mandatory life drawing classes. Parents should be aware that nude models will be utilized for life drawing classes; a permission slip will be included in the packet of materials sent upon acceptance. The two-week long experience fee of $2,500 includes tuition, college credits, room and board (double occupancy), all meals, materials, access to facilities, and all activities. The four-week long experience will include all of the above for two back-to-back courses with a fee of $5,000. Need-based scholarships are available with the completion of an additional scholarship application. Application process includes: online application, transcript, letter of recommendation, $35 application fee, portfolio.