Program Description

Video gaming? A serious career?!?! ABSOLUTELY. Globally, the gaming industry generates more than $100 billion in revenue annually. In California alone there are more than 500 game development studios and 20,000 individuals who make their living creating games. Salaries in the gaming industry are higher than the national average. A designer with 10+ years of experience can make over $100k annually. In 2014, the average salary for a game designer was nearly $74k.

The Video Game Design program is a two semester course that will teach you the hard and soft skills needed to start a career in game development. Skills gained include how to draft game design documents, how to work on teams, and how to use industry standard software. Dress is casual, but students can expect to be challenged academically.

Video Game Design students learn:

• Roles in game development
• Game design theory
• Game development mythologies
• Drafting game design documents
• Unreal Engine 4 (professional game making software)
• Google Docs, Slides, Sheets and Microsoft Office

Pre-Requisites

Video Game Design students should have a solid attendance record and high school level reading, writing, math, and computer skills.

High School credit available

Students earn 15 general elective units each semester toward their high school graduation.

Career Pathways and Related Occupations

This is a career awareness class which instructs students on the basics of game design and development for entry-level employment. Successful Video Game Design students often pursue the following careers:

• Game Designer
• Computer Programmer
• Graphic Artists
• 3D Artists
• Sound Engineers
• Software Q/A Tester
• Producer
• Project Managers