The Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
Advanced Diploma in Game Development
Ottawa, Canada
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 22,443
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Apply your computer programming talent to launch a career creating games of strategy and skill.
The three-year Game - Development Ontario College Advanced Diploma program prepares you to enter into the increasingly competitive profession of game development with confidence. This program provides you with hands-on learning and a team-oriented environment that simulates the work setting found in large game studios. Throughout the program, you learn the design and critical thinking skills needed to find employment in the game development industry.
As a student, you learn how to create games of strategy and skill in an applied setting. During your first year, you gain knowledge in basic programming syntax and game development software tools. You enhance your skills with courses in:
- Game design and development
- Traditional and digital imaging
- Authoring
- Animation
- Programming
Ideal Students
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Have strong observational critical-thinking and analytical skills
- Enjoy a hands-on approach to learning about the game development industry
- Have an aptitude for and are proficient in math
- Thrive in a creative and innovative environment
- Are comfortable with computer programming elements
Admissions
Curriculum
Level 01
- DSN2100M Design Thinking
- ENL1813M Communications I
- GAM1507 Digital Imaging I
- GAM1510 Game Design Foundations
- GAM1545 Programming Fundamentals I
- MAT8001V Technical Mathematics for Game Development
Level 02
- ENL2013 Communications II: Scriptwriting
- GAM1508 Drawing Essentials
- GAM1511 Interface Design
- GAM1530 Psychology and Group Dynamics
- GAM1547 Programming Fundamentals II
Elective: choose 1
- GAM1544 Game and Graphics Programming I
- GAM1570 Digital Imaging II
Level 03
- GAM1512 Game Assets I
- GAM1516 High-Level Development I
- GAM1535 Technical Drawing
- GAM1539 Level Design I
Elective: choose 1
- GAM1571 Game and Graphics Programming II
- GAM1572 Scripting for Designers
Level 04
- GAM1528 High-Level Development II
- GAM1574 Game Algorithms
- GAM1575 Cinematics
- GAM1576 Game Assets II
Elective: choose 1
- GAM1541 Level Design II
- GAM1573 Game and Graphics Programming III
Level 05
- GAM1552 Capstone I: Project Management
- GAM1555 Capstone I: Game Assets
- GAM1557 Capstone I: Game Programming
- GAM1558 Capstone I: Studio
Elective: choose 1
- GAM1556 Capstone I: Advanced Game Assets
- GAM1559 Capstone I: Advanced Game Programming
Level 06
- ENL2014 Communications III: Business Communications
- GAM1562 Capstone II: Project Management
- GAM1568 Capstone II: Studio
Elective: choose 1
- GAM1566 Capstone II: Advanced Game Assets
- GAM1569 Capstone II: Advanced Game Programming
Choose one from equivalencies
- GED3013 General Education Elective
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Analyze the differences in game genres in order to develop games that meet the needs of specific markets
- Analyze the history of video games to compare various approaches to game development
- Support the development of games by identifying and relating concepts from a range of industry role programming, design, and art
- Contribute as an individual and a member of a game development team to the effective completion of a game development project
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the games industry
- Perform all work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations, legislation, industry standards, and codes of ethics
- Apply conceptual game design elements to support the ongoing iteration, creation, programming, design, and development of games
- Apply practical game design elements to support the ongoing iteration, creation, programming, design, and development of unique gaming environments, levels, characters, assets, and props
- Apply programming principles and techniques to create operational games or game components
- Apply artificial intelligence and/or network implementation strategies to support real-time game environments and simulations
- Utilize game engine functionality at an advanced level to support real-time games and simulations
- Create original game props, characters, and assets based on the concepts and requirements outlined in game design documents
- Contribute to world-building and level design, including using a game engine
- Conceive, prototype, develop, test, and evaluate procedures for the creation, design, programming, production, and testing of games in a group environment
- Test, debug, and correct game components to ensure efficient and appropriate game functionality
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment as a game developer, game programmer, software designer, software developer, graphics programmer, game designer, game artist, character modeler, environment modeler, texture artist, game animator, game tester, project manager, and level designer. Most opportunities in game development exist outside of the Ottawa region.
For your final project, you work with your classmates to conceptualize, design, and implement a complete 3-D game title. After graduation, you have the skills to demonstrate you are ready to start your career in this highly competitive field.
There are numerous career opportunities for graduates from this program. The game development profession has increased in demand to now include industries such as entertainment, education, government, and consumer products.
You may find employment as a:
- Game developer
- Game programmer
- Software Developer
- Gameplay programmer
- Game designer
- Game artist
- Asset modeler
- Texture artist
- Game animator
- Indie game producer
Most opportunities in this industry exist outside of the Ottawa area.