Game Design and Development

Get an in-depth look at professional video game design with Unreal Engine 5, the engine behind games like Fortnite and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. In Unreal, you’ll build a level with customizable gameplay elements such as collectibles, jump pads, and platforms using UE5’s Blueprints Visual Scripting system. Design a fully realized 3D world with unique game mechanics and weave your imaginative concepts into the final product. As you reach your next project goal, you’ll playtest the game with your peers and further implement win/lose conditions, unique levels, and customizable features to polish it off. Go forth from this comprehensive course with your own professionally designed game and levels to showcase in your portfolio!

Topics Covered

• Implement Blueprints and gameplay mechanics
• Create and design your own 3D levels
• Learn about world design and mapping
• Develop and test your own game from start to finish

Course Format

This course is part of a weeklong summer camp running Monday through Friday. Learning sessions will be held in a lab on an inspiring university campus. Your child will be placed within a small group and guided by an experienced instructor. Daily schedules are balanced and allow for outdoor and recreational activities. Day and overnight options are available based on location.

Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what a week in this course could look like. Keep in mind students will progress at varying paces, and this is meant to serve as an outline of key materials and the overall experience.

Here’s a sample of what a week in this course could look like. Keep in mind students will progress at varying paces, and this is meant to serve as an outline of key materials and the overall experience.

Monday: Learn Unreal Engine 5 Basics

Stepping into Unreal Engine 5, students will learn the software's basic tools and build an environment complete with platforms.

Tuesday: Customize Landscape in Paint Mode

Building off the basic structures they created, students will customize their landscape in Paint Mode to add materials and lush details.

Wednesday: Create Interactions & Visual Scripts

Implement Unreal’s Blueprints Visual Scripting system to create custom classes and interactions. Students will build upon these skills by creating a locked door and custom collectibles.

Thursday: Build a Custom Game with Blueprints

Next, students will put their skills to the test in their final project—a custom game of their own design! They’ll apply game design principles to build upon their weeklong project or create a new level prototype.

Friday: Polish, Beta-Test, & Share

To wrap up the week, students will add finishing touches to their games and beta-test their projects with their peers and instructor.