Video Game Design & Development

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The Video Game Design and Development program A student must attain an overall average in each module
offers curriculum designed to support a team approach of at least 70% in order to graduate and receive a
to game development. This team environment is a ‘must diploma. A student must complete all requirements of
have’ in the gaming industry. Game creation requires a Student Success Strategies as well as the Field Placement
combination of skills, including programming, scripting, requirements for this program.
game level planning, and sound design. Our program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
content provides courses that support all of these skills.
Students will have the opportunity to learn, think and
Course Duration (hours)
respond within a team, by alternating in each varying
Student Success Strategies 20
role.
Software Lab - Computer Fundamentals 40
Video Game Analysis and Technical Design 80
Portfolio development is also an important part of our
Digital Media 40
program. A well-developed portfolio is a must for
Video Game Math and Physics 120
employment interviews. Students will complete 8
Video Game Prototyping 80
gaming projects while enrolled in the program: a game
Introduction to C++ Game Development 160
prototype, a C++ game, an HTML5 game, a DirectX game,
Mobile Game Development for Android 120
several Unity Games, and several mobile games that will
Mobile Game Development for Apple iOS 120
contribute to their portfolios.
Unreal Video Game Development 160
Unreal Video Game Project 80
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
2D Unity Video Game Development 80
Career opportunities for graduates include entry level 3D Unity Video Game Development 80
employment as Quality Assurance/Game Testers, 2D/3D Unity Video Game Project 80
Game Programmers, Mobile Game Programmers, AI 3D Asset Creation for Video Games 60
Programmers and Level Designers. Video Game Sound 20
Video Game Level Design 80
Note: Some career and education options may require Advanced HTML5 Game Development 80
advanced degrees, further training or experience. Career Planning and Preparation Level I 20
Career Planning and Preparation Level II 20
PREREQUISITES Field Placement 16 weeks

 High school diploma or equivalent, or mature TOTAL DURATION 93 weeks

student status
 Successful completion of entry examinations

NOTE: In order to continuously improve our programs, Eastern College reserves the right to modify programs at any time. Program
delivery order may vary depending on program start date. This diploma program may not be available at all campuses.
p1 Rev. 0617 VGDD NB
Video Game Design & Development

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Student Success Strategies

In this orientation module, emphasis is placed on thinking about achieving success from Day One. This module stresses
the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic, and career success. This includes
understanding learning styles and honing practical study skills, such as memory, reading, note-and test-taking techniques.
Personal exercises will focus on teamwork, decision making and problem solving skills, setting SMART goals and
maintaining a positive attitude; techniques for managing change, stress and conflict will also be explored.

Software Lab: Computer Fundamentals

Through a combination of theory and hands-on-practice, this module examines the role and use of the computer in today’s
workplace. Emphasis is placed on those computers outfitted with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Students will
review basic computer concepts, Windows OS usage, and complete hands-on training exercises in business-standard
software applications, including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word. Keyboarding skills are also honed via daily
keyboarding exercises and drills.

Video Game Analysis and Technical Design

This course introduces students to the historical development of video games and the social and cultural effects video
games have on society. An analysis of existing video game mechanics, technical design and implementation will allow
students to approach video game development from a technical perspective.

Digital Media
This course introduces students to the criteria used to identify and evaluate digital and interactive media and related
technologies. Focus will be placed on the practices and tools used to create and maintain an online presence within the
video game industry.

Video Game Math and Physics

This course identifies key mathematical and physics concepts found in video games. Students will recognize and interpret
these concepts as they are applied to specialized video game processes.

Video Game Prototyping

This course provides students with the knowledge and ability to rapidly prototype video game demos using
HTML5/Javascript to showcase “proof-of-concepts”. Students in this course will also work as a team to apply knowledge
and skills mastered to develop a video game prototype. Additionally, students will be mentored throughout the process
to relay the skills and thought processes necessary to produce commercial quality video games.

Introduction to C++ Game Development

This course introduces students to the C++ programming language and various object-oriented problem-solving
techniques. Students will identify essential object-oriented terminology and techniques commonly applied to video game
development. More specifically, this course is divided into two major parts: the first part examines basic C++ programming
concepts and applies those to console games; the second part focuses on the data structures, algorithms and Standard
Template Library (STL) classes that are commonly used in game programming.

NOTE: In order to continuously improve our programs, Eastern College reserves the right to modify programs at any time. Program
delivery order may vary depending on program start date. This diploma program may not be available at all campuses.
p2 Rev. 0617 VGDD NB
Video Game Design & Development
Mobile Game Development for Android
In this course, students learn how to develop mobile games in Java for use on the Android mobile platform. Students in
this course will also work as a team to apply knowledge and skills mastered to develop and optimize a mobile Android
video game. Additionally, students will be mentored throughout the process to relay the skills and thought processes
necessary to produce commercial quality mobile video games.

Mobile Game Development for Apple iOS

In this course, students will learn how to build 2D games for the Apple iOS platform (iPhone/iPad) using the Apple Swift
programming language within the Xcode IDE. Students in this course will also work as a team to apply the knowledge and
skills mastered to develop a video game prototype that can be showcased within an online portfolio. Additionally, students
will be mentored throughout the process to relay the skills and thought processes necessary to produce commercial
quality mobile games for iOS.

Unreal Video Game Development

This course will extend students’ knowledge of C++ programming using the Unreal engine/SDK. Students will focus on the
development, mathematical, and physics skills necessary to create 2D and 3D Unreal games, as well as apply their skills to
an Unreal game project.

Unreal Video Game Project

Students in this course work as a team to apply knowledge and skills mastered in the Unreal Video Game Development
courses to develop a Windows video game of choice. Students will be mentored throughout the process to produce
commercial quality video games.

2D Unity Video Game Development

This course will extend students’ knowledge of 2D programming using the Unity game engine and the C# language.
Students will learn how to work with the C# language as well as the skills that will allow them to develop 2D games that
could be targeted to multiple platforms.

3D Unity Video Game Development

This course will extend students’ knowledge of game programming with Unity's game programming framework. Students
will apply the mathematics and physics principles learned earlier to create a fully functional 3D game using Unity and C#.

Unity Video Game Project

Students in this course work as a team to apply knowledge and skills mastered in 2D and 3D Unity Development courses
to develop a Unity video game of choice. Students will be mentored throughout the process to produce commercial quality
video games.

3D Asset Creation for Video Games

This course introduces students to 3D modeling and animation. Students will be able to create models including anything
from a box to a spaceship. They will also learn how to import and export their models into various formats. This is a lab-
driven course that provides the opportunity to learn the basics and to develop an advanced understanding of the product
and its capabilities through experience.

NOTE: In order to continuously improve our programs, Eastern College reserves the right to modify programs at any time. Program
delivery order may vary depending on program start date. This diploma program may not be available at all campuses.
p3 Rev. 0617 VGDD NB
Video Game Design & Development
Video Game Sound
This course will provide all students with a broad introduction to the theoretical, technical, creative and artistic principles
of sound and recording as it relates to video game production. The combined theory and practical lab environment will
introduce students to digital audio processing, editing, mixing, and importing using Audacity audio production software.

Video Game Level Design

In these series of lessons we will familiarize students with the Source engine SDK and Hammer. We’ll explore the various
tools within Hammer to create foundational geometry, entities and industry terminology. We will also discuss about
functionality, optimization and basic scripting to construct different game scenarios. This is a lab-driven course that
provides the opportunity to learn the basics and to develop an advanced understanding of the product and its capabilities
through experience.

Advanced HTML5 Game Development

This course examines advanced game techniques using HTML5 and Javascript. In many ways, this course picks up where
the Video Game Prototyping course left off and focuses on the development of video games from concept to creation
using several features learned in the animation, sound and level design courses. Students in this course will also work as
a team to apply knowledge and skills mastered to develop an HTML5/Javascript video game. Additionally, students will be
mentored throughout the process to relay the skills and thought processes necessary to produce commercial quality
HTML5/Javascript video games.

Career Planning and Preparation Level I

This module introduces tools for planning and preparing for a successful job search, so that students can maintain a career-
focused approach throughout their education program. Students will learn about the "Hidden" Job Market and ways to
access it in their upcoming job search, how to research opportunities and network for industry contacts, and use
appropriate etiquette when communicating with prospective employers. Students will identify their personal skills, values
and preferences for the workplace, begin preparation of a professional resume and references, and organize proof
documents for their career portfolio. Class discussions on various self-management topics introduced in Student Success
Strategies will round out this module, which is a pre-requisite for Career Planning and Preparation - Level II.

Career Planning and Preparation Level II

This module continues to build on the concepts and skills introduced in Career Planning and Preparation - Level I. Students
will learn how to conduct an effective job search and identify various methods of applying for work with today's
technology. Students will create a personal list of "Top Employers" and target current industry opportunities, while
finalizing their professional resume, portfolio and career correspondence. Students will learn to identify the different types
and forms of interviews, practice responding to typical questions, and practice follow-up, evaluation and negotiation
techniques they can use to ensure success. Self-management topics from Career Planning and Preparation - Level I will be
reviewed, with a focus towards on-the-job success in both learner placements and post-graduate employment.

Field Placement
At the successful completion of the classroom hours of this program, students will be placed in a 16-week internship at an
outside organization. Students will have the opportunity to apply their new and developed skills in a real-world
environment. Host sites include Video Game Developers.

NOTE: In order to continuously improve our programs, Eastern College reserves the right to modify programs at any time. Program
delivery order may vary depending on program start date. This diploma program may not be available at all campuses.
p4 Rev. 0617 VGDD NB