Game Design

Program Introduction

You will learn all necessary techniques and the way of thinking that the entire game development cycle from concept design to a finished playable AAA game. You will progress from a player to a creator by new perspective and methods. The course not only includes game design, but also the ability to work together as a team and effectively promote the work.We have industrial cooperation with Virtuos and Output, to ensure the training is in-line with the demands of industry. We also often invite multiple game companies to participate in our students’ game pitch and connect students to various HR departments.

Specializations

 

Game Art

Students will explore the fundamentals of 2D and 3D asset creation in Maya and Photoshop, the dominant industry standard software.  Students will learn best practices and time saving techniques they can apply in their own games. They will also learn and apply fundamental principles behind all 2D image and 3D polygon graphics, regardless of platform, game engine, or creative software.

Game Programming

Students are introduced to the fundamentals of basic programming and progresses to define and solve various game related problems such as keeping track of player statistics, defining game rules, loops, functions, and object orientated programming. Students are introduced to the Unity and Unreal game engine.  Students will apply and expand their C# and C++ programming skills by creating scripts that control objects inside of a game engine, resulting in a playable game.

Game Design

Students will not only learn the basics of both Game and Level Design Theory, but also what it means to be a Level Designer in the games industry today. Students will learn how Level Design Theory can apply to many different genres of games. To be able to recognize the tricks and tools in a Level Designer’s arsenal to better shape an exciting game-play experience.

Courses

View Detailed Syllabus

  • Term 01

    Establish fundamental skills in game theory, pre-production techniques, and storytelling.

  • Term 02

    Build on your game design foundation and start to work effectively in teams. Create your own playable 2D game in Unity.

  • Term 03

    Shift from theoretical to practical with hands-on work on detailed design documentation and front-end interfaces, and begin specializing in coding, game art or level design.

  • Term 04

    The core part of this term is dedicated to designing and planning a major team-based final project.

  • Term 05

    Conceive, plan, and execute a final project that delivers a rewarding interactive experience.

  • Term 06

    Engage with ongoing play-testing and complete your final project before unveiling your work to the industry.

Career Orientation

After graduation, students can participate in the production of AAA games, online multiplayer games, mobile games and other types of productions. Samples of employment opportunities are as follows:

  • Game Designer

    Game designers work with a team developing and designing video games. Video games are a $30 billion industry in the U.S., especially as more people play games on their mobile phones, according to Reuters. Game designers are an important part of a comprehensive team of designers and developers that coordinate the complex task of creating a new video game. Game designers have duties like designing characters, levels, puzzles, art and animation. They may also write code, using various computer programming languages. Depending on their career duties, they may also be responsible for project management tasks and testing early versions of video games.

  • Level Designer

    A level designer is a type of game designer that works to create various levels and steps that progress through a game. These professionals often work with level editors, which are tools created by the game programmer, which assist level designers with creation of the level so that they don’t have to modify the actual game code. The level designer must work to ensure that each level created is consistent with the other levels, so the game has a uniform look and feel. Level designers often work with other video game specialists who create visual and structural elements of a game.

     

    Level design involves creating entire levels of game play, from map features like cities, rooms and tunnels to environmental conditions like day/night, weather and resources, specifying locations of items and entities, start and exit locations, scripted event locations that are triggered by game play, adding non-player characters, dialogue and more. Designers need a strong video game design background as well as deep knowledge of the programs and tools utilized to create game levels.

  • Game artist

    Game artists develop 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional animated characters, environments and other graphics for video games. They may be responsible for concept development and often create storyboards to present their ideas. In addition to creating art for the game itself, game artists may also contribute to logo design, marketing materials and new artwork for already existing games. Game artists must be proficient at multi-tasking since it is common for game artists to work on multiple projects at once.

     

    A game artist's job duties may extend beyond creating art. They may be required to play games in order to inspire ideas for new games or use their knowledge of the game industry to evaluate new products. They may also conduct research to stay up-to-date with consumer profiles and gaming trends. Experienced game artists may be responsible for mentoring employees with less experience.

  • Game programmer

    Game programmers take the vision of game designers and bring it to life. They use computer code to create the programs that a computer, smart phone or video game system can read to run the game. A programmer decides which programming language will work best for a given game and chooses the programming language for aspects within the game. Programmers also choose the coding language that best suits the gaming platform.

     

    Video games require more than one type of programmer to take it from conception to reality. The lead programmer heads the programming team, assigning jobs and managing the entire development process. Artificial intelligence and physics programmers make the game as lifelike as possible by creating code that makes the game react to a player’s moves, as well as code that obeys -- or disobeys in some cases -- certain laws of physics. Working closely with game artists, the graphics programmer develops code, so the game has 2-D and 3-D graphics. Network programmers allow gamers to interact with one another online. User interface programmers concentrate on creating code that dictates how the user interacts with the game including starting, pausing and saving games.

  • QA (Quality Assurance)

    A games Quality Assurance specialist is responsible for the testing of computer games before they are released in order to spot any bugs that are present within the software and to suggest improvements to the gameplay before it goes on sale to the paying general public. If there's a problem with any aspect of the video game, it's the game tester's responsibility to find it.

     

    Some game testers focus on software or "coding" bugs. Software codes are the DNA of video games, controlling everything from the characters features and movements, to the environment and storyline. Software bugs can cause a game to "freeze up" under certain conditions or make seemingly simple mistakes, such as miscalculating a score in a sports game.

     

    Knowledge of the market is essential, and the role offers a good way to get into the industry.

  • Associate producer

    A game Associate producer is heavily involved in the development of a video game project and is ultimately responsible for timely delivery and final quality of the game.  Associate producers tend to specialize in an area of expertise depending on the team they are producing for and what skills they have a background in. These specializations include but are not limited to: programming, design, art, sound, and quality assurance.  While keeping updated on the progress of the games being developed, they inform the upper management of the status of the pending project and any problems the project may be experiencing.

Program Advantages

Game Design covers 3 main streams, which are level design, game art and game coding. Students will explore the whole process of game development for both 2D and 3D games through inspiring courses which are designed by experienced instructors and industry partners.

Students can choose which stream they want to major in and spend enough time to enhance specific skills.  Besides technical courses, Game Design also provides a variety of classes which have significant influence on teamwork (e.g. Project Management) and encourage students to become all-round game creators.

All our teachers have many years of experiences in international companies and some of them are now employed in these game companies like Virtuos.  So, our graduated students can be recommended to these game companies if they can impress instructors and HR by showing a high level of performance.”

Game Design students show their game work on Check Point Exhibition

Alumni Success

 

  • The Walking Dead

  • Power Rangers

  • FIFA 18

  • HALOS

  • Mass Effect

  • Dead Rising

  • League of Legends

  • Gears of War 4

Class Moments

A student playing the VR game made by herself

A student designing the 3D model in his game

Convert the designing idea on the paper to the 3D game scene

The 3D model a student made for the leading character of his game

Students are learning the Board Game Theory

C# Programming

The environment and lighting design in a game made by students

The students are playing the game made themselves on a game expo

Game art designing

The game interface in the game made by a student

Game level designing

Game mission designing

The game interface in the mobile game made by a student

Student Works

 

  • Roro King

    Developed by graduates team of Game Design Program, 2018 Fall

  • Realm Crossing

    Developed by graduates team of Game Design Program, 2019 Spring

  • Space Wanderer

    Developed by graduates team of Game Design Program, 2019 Spring

Teachers

考特尼 • 弗雷

影视化妆设计系主任

2003年，考特尼•弗雷在MAC化妆品公司从事零售工作时，她的化妆事业由此起航。三年后，带着浓厚的求学欲，考特尼决定拓展自己的知识面，因而在温哥华电影学院参加了密集型高强度的化妆课程。

2006年毕业后，考特尼便为电影、电视、时尚、出版社等各式媒体提供化妆服务。她的能力及对工作的热忱使得考特尼一年到头都十分忙碌。她期待每一个全新的项目，并且珍惜每一次从事她所热爱事业的机会。

考特尼最近的一些作品包括：协助电影《雷蒙•斯尼奇的不幸历险》、电视剧《地球百子》、《路西法》以及电影《速游记》的化妆工作，她还担任过电影《任务》和《车库销售之谜》的首席设计师。

Testimonials

Game Design 01 Shawn

One-year study in SHVFS, all knowledges and experiences I have learned will benefit and determine my career in the coming decades. SHVFS, wish you prosperous forever.

Game Design 01 Mike

To improve myself, I decide to join study Game Design in SHVFS. One-year study I have survived from such intense course! All teachers in SHVFS, you’ve had long day thank you!

Interview of Game Design 01 alumni

Admissions Info

Start Date: May for Spring semester (tentative), September for Fall semester

Duration: One year, six 8-week terms

               2+2 overseas bechalor program (Click for details)

               1+1 overseas master program (Click for details)

Tuition: RMB 178,000 

Participate in multiple courses designed by instructors and collaborating game companies

Work on actual games, in teams, following the same structure as professional game companies

 

Application Materials:

A. A copy of your ID (Proof that you are at least 18 years of age or have graduated from high school.)

B. A copy of your highest degree (If you are still studying, please provide your Confirmation Letter.)

C. One recommendation letter (optional, remarks: Please note family members are not eligible as references).

D. A file certifying your English proficiency level, such as TOEFL or IELTS score sheet, CET score sheet, Transcripts from any secondary or post-secondary institutions attended in the last 3 years, etc.

E. Film Production Program Requirements:

    1) Write a synopsis of a film project that you are passionate about making (500-1000words). Provide the film genre and utilize references to other movies to explain how you would make the film. Explain the concept, vision or idea.

    2) If you have made a film before, please submit a copy or a link to the film online. Ensure that you specify your involvement in the film, as well as any screenings or awards (optional).

 

Please note that all the materials are collected only for admission, which will not be open to the public.

 

Apply Consult