Game Design Bootcamp
Prepare for a career in gaming with a bootcamp that will take you from a complete beginner to a game design pro
Qualification
Industry Certificate
Duration
48 weeks
Commitment
20 hours weekly
Skill Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Delivery
Weekly instruction, feedback, and support
Start Date
First Monday of each month
Led By
Experienced industry instructors
Features
Flexible schedules and small class sizes (5 max)
Value
Flexible, affordable, high-quality education
Learn game design from the experts
Uncover what makes a video game compelling and build foundations in designing game systems
Using AAA case studies, learn to build immersive game levels and interfaces, combine different gameplay systems to create more engaging experiences, and discover what it takes to launch a successful game. The goal of this program is to take you from a beginner with a passion for games to a trained professional game designer, ready to enter the industry. No matter what you want to create, we'll give you the skills to create your own digital worlds.
The Charlotte x Flatiron School difference:
Learn from game experts with real-world experience
Small group classes, 100% online
Unreal Authorized Training Center and Academic Partner
Blizzard Entertainment training partner
Career services built-in
Career services is included with each capstone and bootcamp program. Designed by and for tech professionals, you'll experience a full technical interview process from start to finish, getting direct and personalized feedback each step of the way. Visit the career services page to learn more about the full process.
Prerequisites: No prior experience necessary. This bootcamp takes you from novice to pro.
Curriculum
Industry-focused online course to launch your career as a game designer
Essentials of Game Design - 12 weeks
Before building a game, it's essential to understand game design theory. This course focuses on how to design compelling games, why certain designs work, and what steps are necessary for success. You'll explore how different platforms influence game design and how these differences must be adapted across genres. Expect to play a TON of games to learn how to analyze and deconstruct them. You'll also learn paper design and concept development, writing level design specifications, and ensuring technical requirements are met.
What you'll learn:
- Understand what a game and game systems are and how to design them
- Design compelling game systems, quests & objectives
- Design core gameplay mechanics
- Add visuals to enhance levels
- Start learning the Unreal game engine and building simple prototypes
Portfolio projects: Game pitch document, game design document, UE gameplay prototype
Weekly breakdown:
- Introduction to Game Systems
- System Design
- Communicating
- Visual Design
- Game Genres
- Core Systems
- Development Process
- Single Player Design
- Technical Design
- Level Design
- Prototyping
- Creating a Prototype
Core Game Design Principles and Prototyping - 12 weeks
In this program, you’ll learn how to bring your ideas to life and find out what goes into making a fun and compelling game. Using the concepts, processes, and theories you learned in essentials, you’ll learn how to validate and express your ideas then apply your new skills and knowledge of level and game systems design to tackle more complex level design problems and areas by creating your own playable game prototype in Unreal Engine.
What you'll learn:
- Design advanced game systems, maps, and assets
- Create a compelling game pitch
- Use the Unreal Engine to design and build games
- Whitebox a level in Unreal Engine
Portfolio project: UE beautiful corner prototype
Weekly breakdown:
- Core Systems
- Player Systems
- Level Design
- Implementing Gameplay
- Systems in Levels
- Whiteboxing
- Combat Systems
- Characters & Animations
- NPCs
- Advanced Level Gameplay
- Detailing Levels
- Polishing
Professional Game Design and Implementation - 12 weeks
In this program, learn how to design and create AAA quality combat and action games for PC and consoles. You'll take your game from idea to designing the game systems, designing levels, and implement in Unreal Engines so that others can play. You'll have all the assets and tools you need to build a game, even if you are not an artist or programmer.
What you'll learn:
- Create a compelling shooter project in Unreal Engine
- Design and create amazing combat in action games
- Implement complex AI in Unreal
- Design complex objects in the game which players can use
Portfolio projects: Shooter project GDD, and UE shooter project prototype
Weekly breakdown:
- Worldbuilding
- Stories to Quests
- Map Layout
- Combat in Levels
- Landscapes
- FPS Prototyping
- A.I. in Levels
- FPS Mechanics
- Object Systems
- Interactions In Levels
- Implementing Quests
- Player Gameplay
Game Design Capstone - 12 weeks
This final course is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your instructor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best work for your portfolio and learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers. You'll also receive additional career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from your career coach.
What you'll learn:
- How to polish your portfolio to impress employers
- Interview and negotiation strategies
- Effective networking and self-promotion
- Accessing the hidden job market
In addition to your capstone project, here's the weekly breakdown:
- Career Pathways
- Industry Overview
- Portfolio Upgrade
- Networking and Online Presence
- Resume and Cover Letter
- Job Hunting
- Freelance Work
- Interviews and Pitching
- Personal Projects and Challenges
- Working in a Studio
- Contracts and Negotiations
- Personal Roadblocks
Tuition
Upfront - Save 9%
$15,000
Pay as You Go - Save 6%
$16,000
12 monthly payments of $1,334
Financed Tuition
$16,500
Monthly payments as low as $298**
Possible Careers
The demand for Game Designers remains at an all-time high. Here are some in-demand jobs you could land.
Level Designer
Level designers are responsible for the overall architecture of a game’s levels, including layout, environments, and events. Level designers also design characters and ensure that the levels fit the story and gameplay.
Game Artist
A game artist creates the visual elements of a video game, often in both 2D and 3D formats. This can include components such as characters, environments, textures, and user interface (UI) elements.
Bootcamp Courses
Whether you’re a beginner or already have experience, we have programs for your skill level and area of interest.
Game Design Capstone
Create a polished game design portfolio to showcase to employers
Game Design Foundations II
Build on your skills in Unreal Engine and create an original, fully playable shooter game
Game Design Foundations I
Learn to deconstruct games, tackle design problems, create great user experiences, write design documents, and develop a game pitch
Game Design Essentials
Learn what makes an addicting game and explore game mechanics, genres, level design, and world-building
FAQs
To celebrate Flatiron's partnership with GitHub, we’re offering reduced bootcamp pricing—from $16.5K to $9.5K—for a limited time. Here’s how you can take advantage of this offer:
- Apply by February 24, 2025 to be eligible for the March 3, 2025 cohort.
- Be one of the first 50 students to enroll in the March 3rd cohort to secure the promotional price.
Please note:
- The final price depends on the financing option you choose.
- This offer excludes Game Design, Game Programming, Essentials, and Modular Bootcamp course pathways.
- The promotion is not available for Georgia residents.
Don’t miss this opportunity—apply today!
Your monthly financed payment is based on your credit score. The amount shown reflects the lowest possible rate. To explore your financing options, schedule a call with an admissions representative today.
Our programs are not currently set up to accept military benefits, such as the GI Bill, as a form of payment directly from the student at this time. However, if your military benefits can be arranged to pay the school directly, this may be an option in rare cases.
No, you do not need a college degree to enroll in our programs. A high school diploma or GED is the only educational requirement. Our programs are designed to be accessible to a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds.
No, we do not accept FAFSA or traditional financial aid for our programs. However, we do offer loans for full-time students, as well as interest-free installment plans and upfront payment options for everyone else. Please contact us for more details about these flexible payment options.
It is occasionally possible to skip the Essentials program and go directly to Foundations I. However, we highly recommend that most students do not skip Essentials as it covers a tremendous amount of information and skills that will be used throughout the entire career pathway program and will require some catching up if skipped. The Essentials program is still difficult and covers a great deal of material that is necessary for proceeding in the following programs and won't be reviewed in Foundations. All of the future program material will build upon the essentials. If you would like to be considered to enter directly into the Foundations-level programs, you'll be required to submit materials demonstrating your proficiency in the materials covered in the Essentials program.
Nope! This program is designed for complete beginners—no experience required.
Yes! Upon the completion of each program in the pathway, you will receive a Credly digital badge from UNC Charlotte and a completion certificate from Flatiron School. Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and certificates can be displayed on portfolio websites and social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Thousands of our community members use their program certificates and badges to demonstrate skills to potential employers — including our hiring partners — along with their LinkedIn networks. This curriculum is powered by Flatiron School, whose programs are well-regarded by many top employers, who contribute to our curriculum, hire our community, and partner with us to train their own teams.
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help.
Let’s Get You Hired!
Career services are included with each capstone and bootcamp program. Designed by and for tech professionals, you’ll experience a full, technical interview process from start to finish, getting direct and personalized feedback each step of the way.
It's easy to apply and get started in our programs in just a few short weeks
- Apply
- Pay $99 deposit
- Sign Enrollment Agreement
- Secure financing or pay in full
Essentials is the first building block to starting a career in the field of your choosing. Learn the basics and build from there!
Our Foundations programs are the second step in our three-part curriculum where you will learn advanced concepts and techniques needed to become professional in the field of your choosing!
In the Capstone program, you will be expected to bring all your skills from Essentials and Foundations together to develop portfolio projects while beginning to meet with your Career Coach to prepare for your job search!
Weekly or bi-weekly meetings with your coach to review:
- Wins & challenges
- Review job openings
- Interview prep
- Salary negotiations
Certificate in hand, support doesn't end with the completion of curriculum and career services.
Join our network of over 20k alumni from around the globe through Discord groups, conferences, events, and meetups.
Ready to Change the Game?
Whether you want to build games, design products, prevent the next cyber attack, or create the next internet-breaking AI, we provide the training to bring your ideas to life.
Let's build your future together.