Game
Design

FIRST YEAR FOR GAME DESIGN AND PROGRAMMING CYCLES

The 2nd year, which is in fact the first year in game design and programming, aims to lay the foundations for these professions. It develops students’ technical, analytical, creative and personal skills, and provides them with fundamental knowledge of programming and the design of game mechanics, as well as a solid introduction to the main game engines used in the industry.

Development of game and level design skills:
– Learning the fundamentals (3Cs, mechanics, gameloop, LD paper design, cartography…), game analysis and practical exercises.

Programming skills development:

– Learning the fundamentals (C++, C#, 2D/3D math, stats and probabilities, menus and interfaces…)
– Understanding optimization principles, performance management, and integrating game mechanics into interactive environments.

Game Concept:
– Creative methods through the development of original game concepts, and learning how to present them clearly and convincingly to a jury in English.

Introduction to storytelling:
– Learn the key principles of dramaturgy and apply them to create engaging narratives.

Development of artistic and video-game culture:

– Study of essential visual elements to build solid references, while analyzing different types of video games with a view to acquiring an in-depth professional culture.

Development of collaborative projects:
– Learn to manage time, meet deadlines, develop critical thinking skills, receive and integrate feedback, and foster teamwork and communication.

Year 3 aims to strengthen students’ technical, analytical and creative skills. It supports them in perfecting their mastery of development tools, while deepening their understanding of game mechanics, design and prototyping. It also fosters a more autonomous and professional approach to game design, preparing students to meet the challenges of the industry.

Acquisition of intermediate game and level design principles:

– Engagement, action theory, game depth, colors & shapes, elegance, high-concept creation, metrics, gym creation, logical and functional environment construction, affordance & advanced workshops.

Intermediate Unreal:

-In-depth use of Blueprints and mini-prototyping.

Game Concept (continued):

-Creative methods through the development of original game concepts, and learning how to present them clearly and convincingly to a jury in English.

Intermediate storytelling:

-Learning and using advanced principles: dramatic irony, planting, world building, quests, enviro-storytelling, etc.

Development of artistic and videogame culture (continuity):

-Study of essential visual elements to build solid references, while analyzing different types of video games with a view to acquiring an in-depth professional culture.

Development of collaborative projects:

-Learning to manage time, meet deadlines, develop critical thinking skills, receive and integrate feedback, and foster teamwork and communication.

Year 4 is dedicated to consolidating fundamental principles, with specialized workshops, and to helping students perfect their chosen specialization. It also includes the design and pre-production of the end of studies project, preparing students for the realization of complex, professional-quality projects.

Advanced Game and Level Design:
Focus on 3Cs & interdependencies, game feel, enemies, level design prototyping, signs & feedback, circulation, and affordance.

Advanced Unreal (continuation):
Continued learning of Blueprints, deepening knowledge, and developing advanced prototypes.

Game Concept (continuation):
Methods of creation through the development of original game concepts and learning to present them clearly and convincingly to a jury in English.

Collaborative Workshop Setup:
Practical workshops dedicated to improving skills, integrating new Unreal Engine features, and exploring the specifics of different video game genres.

Pre-Production for Final Year Projects:
Designing ideas, selecting concepts, and prototyping the chosen options in preparation for the production phase.

Professionalism and Demo Reel:
Creating a demo reel that highlights technical, analytical, and creative skills through a striking and professional visual format, alongside personalized project support and the development of an online portfolio.

Year 5 represents the culmination of an in-depth apprenticeship, where students transform their expertise into a concrete project. They design and develop a video game as a team, experimenting with every stage of the creative process to produce a professional-quality game.

Professional project monitoring and support:
– Mentoring and personalized support, with project monitoring by industry professionals, including technical, creative and strategic advice to ensure excellence and the best possible projects.

Softskills development:
– Reinforcing the ability to design and organize teamwork, to anticipate and solve problems proactively, while fostering efficient and harmonious collaboration.

Masterclasses and roundtables:
– Meetings with professionals from the video game sector and discussions on specific topics, current trends and challenges facing the industry.

Professionalism and demoreel:
-Production of a demoreel highlighting the technical, analytical and creative skills of each student in a striking, professional visual format.
– Coaching in the development of personal projects, as well as the creation of CVs, cover letters, interview preparation and an online portfolio.

Graduation jury:
– Students present their projects to a jury of professionals, and take part in a job dating event organized by the school with industry studios.

Festivals, prizes and awards:
– Our students’ projects are entered in the major video game industry competitions: Pegasus, Rookies, Bafta… to help them win prestigious awards and make a name for themselves in the industry.