Certificate in Games Design
8 Apr 2024
- 16 May 2024
Places
15
Apply By
04/01/2024
Apply To
IADT
ECTS Points
10 - Level 9
Funding
HCI Subsidy Funding Available
Course Code
DL147
Duration
6 weeks / online
Fees
€550 or €1,100
15
04/01/2024
IADT
10 - Level 9
HCI Subsidy Funding Available
DL147
6 weeks / online
€550 or €1,100
Dive into the realm of game development with our comprehensive course tailored for aspiring game creators.
This course demystifies the world of game design, focusing on the powerful Unreal Engine 5 and Blueprint scripting. Whether you are starting your journey in game design or looking to sharpen your skills, this course is designed to guide you through the intricacies of crafting immersive game environments and engaging gameplay using Unreal Engine.
No previous programming experience required!
This short course will empower learners with practical skills and knowledge in Game Design using Unreal Engine 5. You will explore the bedrock of game design, delve into the nuances of Blueprint scripting, and experience the thrill of bringing a game project to life, right from its conceptual stages to a polished prototype.
The course will allow learners to apply the skills they develop in a variety of ways to suit their interests, including the design of traditional games, interactive narratives, and more abstract digital experiences. This course is ideal for animators and technical artists interested in upskilling in Unreal Engine for their creative pursuits alongside future game designers and hobbyists interested in broadening their skillset.
Students may come from a range of backgrounds, with varying levels of prior design experience (e.g., computing, engineering, technology, business, marketing, design, creative arts, psychology, etc. graduates) for whom game design is a key area of interest.
Technical Skills
Introduction to Unreal Engine 5 – game engine + interface
Blueprints Scripting
Game logic + mechanics
Creative + Design Skills
Creating + using assets
UI + UX design for games
Explore lighting, animation + environmental design
Crafting engaging levels
Developing gameplay mechanics
Techniques in Rapid Prototyping
Advanced Features
Creating Game Design Documentation
Saving + Loading Systems
Exploring Chaos Physics + Terrain Systems
Utilizing Source Control
AI Scripting
Capstone Project
From concept to completion: A real-world project to showcase your skills.
Your skills will be showcased through a hands-on project. You will create design documentation for a game idea and then bring it to life through Alpha and Beta design cycles, culminating in a final presentation.
Classes take place online (MS Teams) twice a week for 6 weeks on Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm.
There will be a 1:30 lecture, followed by a half hour lab where students can complete weekly exercises and get feedback on their work.
The exact dates are as follows:
8th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 22nd, 25th, 29th April
2nd, 7th (Tuesday), 9th, 13th, 16th May
This course is suitable for students who have an undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree level.
Applicants without a Level 8 qualification may be considered provided they can demonstrate Honours Degree equivalence which can be verified through the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process.
A computer capable of running UE5 is essential.
Unreal Engine 5 minimum requirements on Windows:
Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Quad-core Intel or AMD 2.5 GHz or superior
Memory: 8GB RAM
Graphics Card: Any DirectX 11 or 12 compatible card
Unreal Engine 5 minimum requirements on Mac:
Operating system: macOS Monterrey
Processor: Quad-core Intel 2.5 GHz or superior
Memory: 8GB RAM
Graphics Card: Any Metal 1.2 compatible card
Unreal Engine 5 minimum requirements on Linux:
Operating system: Linux distributions starting with CentOS
7.x
Linux kernel: kernel 3.x or newer
Extras: glibc 2.17 or newer
Dr Naoise Collins has years of experience with game design and game engines. He is really interested in using game engines for different creative purposes. This course would be great for all kinds of backgrounds and is designed specifically to nurture your creative potential with games and to pick up some technical basics on the way!
Application process for 2024 is now open
IADT operates a rolling admissions policy for graduate taught courses, with decisions issued in 4 weeks after a submitted and complete application is received. An application is incomplete until you provide all required items on the checklist (including the application fee, if applicable).
Generally, courses will remain open to applications until all places are filled.
Fees for this course in 2024 are €550, subsidised by the Higher Education Authority’s Human Capital Initiative. Check your eligibility and read about the documents you will be required to submit HERE
Fees for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria above are €1,100.
Please email any queries to Elena Somoza, IADT Creative Futures Academy Co-ordinator, at iadt@creativefutures.ie
Creative Futures Academy has been awarded a total of €315,640 from the Human Capital Initiative HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials Subsidy funding. Subsidies will range from 50 – 80% of the total course costs for eligible learners. Applications are now open for a number of courses with more coming on-stream in late 2024 and 2025. Terms & Conditions apply.
A CFA scholarship encourages the participation of learners from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education by offering one free place on all of our CFA short courses.
