delivery
Online
The UNC Charlotte Online Game Design Boot Camp Certificate program, powered by Flatiron School, offers a comprehensive game design curriculum that will help prepare you for a future in the video game industry. Turn your passion for gaming into a career by developing the practical skills studios seek. Learn to create your own games using Unreal Engine and C++, combining technical expertise with artistic creativity.
This specialized game design boot camp program provides a personalized education experience that will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to excel, all taught by experienced artists who have honed their craft at renowned studios like Blizzard, Ubisoft, Epic Games and EA.
As an Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center and Unreal Academic Partner, we work closely with Epic Games to provide high-quality education with experienced mentors and industry best practices used in major studios. This comprehensive learning pathway will equip you for a future in game design.
Uncover what makes a video game compelling and build foundations in designing game systems.
Using AAA case studies, learn to build immersive game levels and interfaces, combine different gameplay systems to create more engaging experiences, and discover what it takes to launch a successful game. The goal of this program is to take you from a game enthusiast to a trained professional, confident in using industry-standard software. No matter what you want to create, we’ll give you the skills to create your own digital worlds.
Essentials of Game Design – 12 Weeks
Before building a game, it’s essential to understand game design theory. This course focuses on how to design compelling games, why certain designs work, and what steps are necessary for success. You’ll explore how different platforms influence game design and how these differences must be adapted across genres. Expect to play a TON of games to learn how to analyze and deconstruct them. You’ll also learn paper design and concept development, writing level design specifications and ensuring technical requirements are met.
What you’ll learn:
Weekly Breakdown:
Core Game Design Principles and Prototyping – 12 Weeks
This course emphasizes the importance of moving beyond design theories and quickly turning game ideas into playable prototypes. You’ll learn to bring your concepts to life, focusing on execution rather than just ideation. Using the knowledge gained so far, you’ll validate and express your ideas, then apply advanced skills in level and game systems design to create a compelling, playable game prototype in Unreal.
What you’ll learn:
Weekly Breakdown:
Professional Game Design and Implementation – 12 Weeks
This course focuses on designing and creating AAA combat and action games for PC and consoles using the Unreal Engine. Building on prior knowledge of game design and Unreal, you’ll learn to take a game from concept to a fully playable level. With a custom toolkit and all necessary assets, you’ll be able to design game systems, create engaging levels, and implement them in Unreal, regardless of your background in art or programming. The goal is to develop a polished game to showcase in your portfolio.
What you’ll learn:
Weekly Breakdown:
Game Design Capstone – 12 Weeks
This final course is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your instructor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best work for your portfolio and learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers. You’ll also receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from your career coach.
What you’ll learn:
In addition to your capstone project, here’s the weekly breakdown:
Upfront: $14,900
Pay as You Go: $15,900 – 12 monthly payments of $1,325
Financed Tuition: $16,500 – Monthly payments as low as $358
Have questions? Talk with a Flatiron School representative.
You want to transition into the game design industry and are looking for a fast-paced environment to gain relevant skills quickly.
You’re passionate about video games and want to uncover what makes a video game compelling and build foundations in designing game systems.
You want a hands-on education with mentorship from top game design experts and access to the most talented artists in the industry.
Enjoy small class sizes with a maximum of five students, weekly calls with your mentor, and detailed video critiques to guide your progress. You’ll be part of a supportive and active community of peers, alumni, and mentors. With flexible schedules and 100% online learning, you can study from anywhere, at your own pace.
Game designers build immersive game levels and interfaces, combine different gameplay systems to create engaging systems, and understand what it takes to launch a successful game.
You’ll gain confidence in navigating industry-used software like Unreal Engine and Photoshop and explore essential game workflows – all to help prepare you for the video game industry.
This boot camp program will give you an excellent understanding of game design. Depending on your level of commitment, skills, and portfolio pieces, you may be ready to start applying for entry-level artist positions upon program completion. As you develop in the field, you can prepare for jobs such as game designer, systems designer, and level designer.
The key difference between game designers and programmers is their focus: designers handle the creative aspects, while programmers tackle the technical side by writing code. Both are vital to game development, with distinct roles that occasionally overlap but remain fundamentally different disciplines.
Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate and digital badge. Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and certificates can be displayed on portfolio websites and social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.