Course Overview
Are you ready to take on a challenge that will always be interesting, push you to your intellectual limits, and still be fun? Video Game Design and Development is challenging, but the rewards are worth it. With this unparalleled comprehensive online course, you will master skills that open doors to the growing video game industry.
This course has been developed by our partners, Gatlin Education Services, specialists in online certification programmes, and a leading organisation in their field. Using a comprehensive and analytical approach to game engine architectures, this course offers you the opportunity to learn how to effectively implement game ideas from start to finish.
The course is divided into eight modules covering five major areas of study: programming languages, mathematics skills, 3D graphics pipeline programming, real-time game engine architectures, and artificial intelligence algorithms.
All the material for this course is provide through online learning. When you enrol you will be sent details of how to access the online learning environment and get started on your online course. This will be sent via email from Gatlin Education Services (Games Insitute) within 48 hours of your enrolment.
Pre-requisities
A reasonable familiarity with computers and at least a pass at GCSE level mathematics are all that is assumed. No prior game or graphics programming experience is necessary.
Hardware Requirements: Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98/2000/Millenium/XP
Processor: Pentium III+/AMD Athlon (750MHz or greater)
System Memory: 256 MB+
Video: 3D Hardware Accelerator w/ 128MB+ on-board memory
DirectX 9.0/OpenGL compliant
Disk: 1 GB+ uncompressed
Sound: DirectSound compliant sound card
Software Requirements:
Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 or higher (.NET recommended)
Download at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.asp
Recommended: Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Key Topics
- C++ Programming
- Graphics Programming with Direct X 9
- Game Mathematics
- Artificial Intelligence for Games
Qualification
ICS/ Gatlin Education Services Certificate in Video Game Design & Development
Support
Support for this course is provided by Gatlin Education Services. Once you've enrolled, you will be allocated a tutor per module for one-on-one interaction via email or phone. Your tutor will be available to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance – giving you all the support you need as you progress.
What's more, as an ICS student you'll have access to the ICS online Student Community, where you can interact with other students, browse our resource library and keep up to date with ICS news.
Assessment
There are graded multiple choice and submitted exams throughout the course.You will be given a lesson plan at the start of each module that lets you know what exams you will be required to take and how much each test will count towards your final grade. Grades are based on a weighted average of the test scores that you received during your course.
Your Future Prospects
The Video Game Design and Development course is ideal if you want a professional career as a game developer, or if you are an enthusiastic amateur who want to get more out of this exciting hobby. Salaries for skilled Game Designers generally range from £30-45k - making this a potentially lucrative career choice!
The UK Gaming Industry is currently competing worldwide to attract and enthuse more students through games education, due to a dwindling supply of experienced game staff choosing to work in the UK. This industry focus will encourage success in graduate employment within the industry.
Important information: As your full course is supplied to you online, we are unable to offer a cancellation or refund once you have accessed the course. Please refer to our Terms for further details.