Learn game design from industry-leading game designers, with mentorship from experts in the industry to kickstart your career.
Financing and flexible payment options available. Learn more
Take the first step towards your career as a game designer
This fun, in-depth program 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 Bletchley powered by CG Spectrum:
Over the program 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 program, you have the option to continue your journey with the full Game Design Foundations.
Industry-approved curriculum to help launch your career as a game designer
Essentials of Game Design - 12 weeks
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.
*This program is equivalent to the first course of the Game Design Foundations program, so if you choose to continue your studies, you'll get to start at Course 2 and your Essentials tuition will be applied to the cost of Foundations!
What You’ll Learn:
Start learning the Unreal game engine and building simple prototypes
Portfolio projects: Game pitch document, game design document, UE gameplay prototype.
Weekly Breakdown:
Flexible small group class are the best way to learn from top industry mentors
in a fun, collaborative environment, while still getting plenty of personalized feedback.
Upfront - Save 10%
$3,333
Pay as You Go
$3,702
3 monthly payments of $1,234
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For this game design program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications.
Software: Students are required to use Unreal Engine, which is free to download. We also recommend that you purchase Photoshop/Illustrator (photography plan only) for the duration of your program. Free alternatives to Photoshop include GIMP/Inkscape.
Hardware: Students will need a dedicated graphics card and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Unreal Engine and Photoshop. Please note: as the software we use is regularly updated, please check the specs against the latest available version at the time of enrollment.
It is VERY occasionally possible to skip the initial Introduction to Game Design Program 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 that will be used throughout the entire program and will require some catching up if skipped.
This introductory program 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 program material will build upon this foundation.
The program 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 program. 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 program, you must submit a portfolio to be reviewed and considered. The portfolio must include:
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.
This short game design program 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 program will better prepare you for a job in the industry.
The full 9-month program 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:
Occasionally, it is possible to skip ahead and start studying in later terms. We highly recommend that most students do not skip ahead as each subject covers a tremendous amount of information and skills that will be used throughout the entire program (and will require some catching up in your own time if skipped).
Term one is still incredibly challenging and covers a lot of material. It includes over 25 hours of lecture videos and there are over a dozen assignments students need to complete. All of the future course material will build upon this foundation.
The program 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 first 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 platform.
If you want to be considered for skipping the first term, you must submit a portfolio to be reviewed and considered. The portfolio must include:
This will ensure that you are familiar with the right materials, concepts, and tools to design new game concepts and build them in a game engine.
If you are unsure if your skills are sufficient, send us your portfolio when you apply, and we'll arrange for the department head to review it and, depending on the circumstances, a student interview.
Break into the industry with our best-in-class programs, which include expert industry mentorship, flexible schedules, small class sizes, and affordable pricing.
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