Technology

Video Game Development

Channel your creative side in a multibillion-dollar industry. Turn game designers’ concepts and ideas into playable games with a Video Game Development program. Gain skills in planning, game execution (coding), and the testing of games.

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Type

Diploma

Duration

85 Weeks

Internship

16 Weeks

Program Outline

View Outline

Program Outline NB

About The Program

Turn your passion for gaming into a dynamic career. The Video Game Development diploma program at Eastern College gives you the opportunity to create an impressive portfolio with multiple gaming projects using C++, HTML5, DirectX, and Unity. Gain real-world experience through a 16-week field placement, ensuring you graduate with the skills and expertise that employers are looking for. Study online with instructor-led classes and a fixed schedule, making it convenient to learn from any location.

Career Opportunities

As a Video Game Development graduate, you will qualify for positions such as Quality Assurance/Game Testers, 2D/3D Game Programmers, Mobile Game Programmers, Game AI Programmers, and Level Designers.

Employers Who Have Hired Eastern Grads

Spandrel Interactive Inc.
BMM Test Labs
Cantankerous Games
HB Studio
TMP Games
Gogii Games Lighthouse Studio
Gorilla Soup Studios
Eurigs Computer Games

Salary

71 %

Employment Rate*

$ 38

Average Wage/hr**

$ 64

High Wage/hr**

*Employment Rate based on 2022 contactable Eastern graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.

Source: workingincanada.gc.ca

NOC Code: 2174 - **Wage data rounded down to the nearest dollar and based on New Brunswick data. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in Jan 2024.

Program Details

Our Video Game Development program is designed to equip you with the skills needed to succeed in diverse video game development roles. You’ll focus on programming, scripting, game level planning, and sound design, taking your own games from prototype to release. Master Unity, Unreal, C++, C#, Java, Swift, and more. Learn to implement artificial intelligence (AI) into your 2D and 3D games, bringing your creations to life.

Video game development is a realm of unparalleled creative expression. As a graduate of our program, you’ll have the opportunity to bring your ideas to life, crafting immersive worlds, captivating narratives, and engaging gameplay experiences that resonate with players globally. With the rising popularity of video games, the demand for talented developers who can create high-quality gaming experiences is soaring.

Canada boasts a vibrant and passionate gaming community, complete with dedicated fans, industry events, and conventions celebrating the art and culture of video games. As a game developer in Canada, you’ll be part of this exciting community, contributing to its growth and success. Our program, developed in collaboration with industry professionals, ensures you receive the most relevant and up-to-date training.

Upon completing the program, you’ll graduate with a portfolio of games and projects that showcase your skills and creativity to potential employers. Additionally, you’ll benefit from a four-month field placement, offering invaluable industry experience and networking opportunities.

Course Listings: New Brunswick

Career Planning & Preparation - Level I

This module will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this module will help you maintain a career-focused approach throughout your studies so that you are better prepared to conduct a job search after graduating. Specifically, you will learn how to identify your soft and hard skills and how to articulate your abilities in a clear and concise Elevator Pitch that will appeal to employers and resonate with industry contacts. You will learn about the job search resources available to you including using career websites, creating Linked In profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample resumes and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional resumes and cover letters that align with current conventions for content, organization, and formatting. You will also learn about the role of references, thank you letters, workplace philosophies, and strategies for success including maintaining a professional image and using proper etiquette when communicating with potential employers and industry contacts. An introduction to Occupational Health and Safety is also provided with specific focus on employees’ rights and responsibilities, workplace health and safety policy and programs, hazard identification and control, and safety training options such as WHIMIS and First Aid.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level II

This module continues to build on the concepts and skills introduced in Career Planning and Preparation - Part 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 - Part I will be reviewed, with a focus towards on-the-job success in both learner placements and post-graduate employment.

Digital Literacy for Professionals

This course has four units that introduces you to the fundamental concepts and principles of learning and working in a digital environment. The first unit introduces you to using devices and handling information with topics on operating systems (Windows, MAC, and Linux), computer organization (folder management and naming conventions), cloud storage (including Microsoft OneDrive), types of web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari), and fundamental troubleshooting. In the second unit, you will become familiar with creating and editing information through learning about file formats (pdf, mp4, docx), productivity (including iWork and Microsoft Office Suite) and creativity (Adobe, Canva, iMovie) platforms, and basic introduction to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The third unit on communicating and collaborating will introduce you to web conferencing applications (Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams), mail applications (including Microsoft Outlook and Gmail,), project management tools (Trello, Asana), and time management tools (including Todoist, Outlook Calendar, and iCal), and building rapport virtually. In the final unit, you will gain an understanding on netiquette, cybersecurity, and digital wellness. After completing this course, you will have enhanced digital literacy skills as a professional in the working and learning environment.

Field Placement - Video Game Development

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.

Field Placement - Video Game Development

Student Success Strategies

In this orientation module, you will focus on achieving success from day one. You will develop non-technical skills to enhance your personal, academic, and career success. You will explore learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. You will also enhance your 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. You will also explore techniques for managing change, stress, and conflict.

Advanced Graphics Programming

This course continues where the introduction to graphics programming course left off and builds on those foundations. Students continue to explore additional APIs. Students will develop their skills in using Shaders, and apply this to their custom engine project.

Advanced Game Programming

This course will develop student programming skills and further various object-oriented problem-solving techniques. Students will identify advanced object-oriented terminology and techniques commonly applied in video game development. This course examines more advanced programming and applies this to challenging projects. This course will enhance student capacity to design complex systems and work in a professional video game development environment.

Digital Media & Portfolios

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 and portfolio within the video game industry.

Video Game 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, documentation, planning and implementation will allow students to approach video game design from a knowledge perspective. Students will generate game design documentation for both existing and their own video games.

Game Engines II 2D

This course will extend student knowledge of 2D game programming and development using the Unreal game engine, Blueprints, and C++ programming language. Students will learn how to work with the Unreal Engine which will allow them to develop and publish 2D games that can be targeted to multiple platforms including mobile devices.

Game Engines II 3D

This course will extend students’ knowledge of the Unreal Engine and 3D game programming for video games. Students will apply their knowledge of the Unreal Engine as they expand into the 3rd dimension while still leveraging blueprints. Mathematics and physics principles learned earlier will be applied to create and publish fully functional 3D games using the Unreal Engine and the C++ Programming language.

Game Engines I 2D

This course will extend students’ knowledge of 2D game programming and development using the Unity game engine and the C# programming language. Students will learn how to work with the Unity Engine which will allow them to develop and publish 2D games that can be targeted to multiple platforms including mobile devices.

Game Engines I 3D

This course will extend students knowledge of the Unity Engine and 3D game programming for video games. Students will apply their knowledge of the Unity Engine as they expand into the 3rd dimension. Mathematics and physics principles learned earlier will be applied to create and publish fully functional 3D games using the Unity Engine and the C# Programming language.

Fundamentals of Game Programming

This course introduces students to programming and various object-oriented problem-solving techniques. Students will identify essential object-oriented terminology and techniques commonly applied to video game development. This course examines the fundamentals of programming and applies those to simple games. This foundation will be built upon in future courses.

Fundamentals of Graphics Programming

This course continues where the introduction to programming course left off and builds on those foundations. Students are introduced to the graphics programming pipeline where they will learn how to identify and select the right rendering subsystem for their games based on platform and requirements. Students will be designing and building more elaborate games which they will have an opportunity to re-visit and improve upon in future courses.

Math & Physics for Games

In this course, students will identify key mathematical and physics concepts found in video games. Students will recognize and interpret these concepts as they are applied to video game processes. Students will work through specific math and physics concepts used in most games and game engines.

Game Engines I Project

Students in this course work as a team to apply knowledge and skills mastered in Video Game Design, Business & Organization, Engines I 2D, and Engines I 3D courses to develop a Unity video game of choice. Students will be mentored throughout the process to produce commercial quality video games.

Game Engines II Project

Students in this course work as a team to apply knowledge and skills mastered in Video Game Design, Business & Organization, Engines II 2D, and Engines II 3D courses to develop an Unreal video game of choice. Students will be mentored throughout the process to produce commercial quality video games.

Rapid Game Development

This course provides students with the knowledge and ability to rapidly prototype video game demos 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.

Admission Requirements

Student has Grade 12 or equivalent or meets criteria for Mature Student Status.
Mature students must be 19 years of age, pass a qualifying test, and provide a Letter of Intent OR resume that supports their skills and aptitudes to be successful in the program.
The approved qualifying test for this program is the Wonderlic test. A passing score for this program is 20.

Career Quiz

Take a quick and easy quiz to find out more about yourself, your goals, and identify your strengths and social style. This quiz gives you suggestions for what career areas you might consider based on your likes and preferences. Give it a try now!

Take the Quiz

Instructor Quote

"Game development is akin to possessing the world's grandest Lego set within your mind. There's a profound joy in crafting something out of nothing and weaving narratives through interactive media. The gaming industry, with its rapid pace and constant evolution, calls for a diverse blend of professionals to unite and create outstanding products. This career path richly rewards those with initiative and a swift capacity to acquire new skills, epitomizing a journey of perpetual learning."

Dennis Hubley

Video Game Development Instructor

Technology Requirements

This program requires students to bring their own device. Learn more about the technology requirements that will help you succeed.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions About Video Game Development

Will my work term be with someone local?

While we strive to facilitate local work terms whenever possible, it's important to note that some placements may be virtual or situated outside of your immediate area. Our priority is to match you with the best possible opportunity to gain experience and further your skills, whether that's within your local community or elsewhere.

Are most jobs remote?

Our track record shows a mix of both remote and local job placements, while the majority is remote. With the evolving landscape of work, we aim to equip you with the skills and flexibility to thrive in various work environments.

Will I learn about graphic design or is it mostly coding?

The curriculum focuses mainly on coding skills, encompassing over 90% of the program content. While graphic design isn't the primary emphasis, you will encounter some aspects within the coding process.