This professional certificate is intended for anyone interested in developing a strong foundational understanding of game design. Learners will get an in-depth introduction to the fundamentals of game design, Unreal Engine as a tool, level design, blueprint scripting, visual and audio development, and UX and UI design. Each course comes with hands-on learning through practice and projects that build on one another in preparation for the final capstone project. Learners who complete this certificate receive a balance between theory and practice relating to game design using Unreal Engine.

This course introduces the fundamentals of video games and delves into the intricate art of game design, exploring concepts from generating original game ideas to crafting comprehensive design documents. Throughout the modules, learners will discover the iterative process of game development, emphasizing teamwork and reflection as essential components of creating compelling interactive experiences.

This course is for learners of any experience level who want an introductory understanding of the video game industry.

Introduction to Game Design

Welcome to Unreal Engine Fundamentals course: Your gateway to the world of game design using Unreal Engine 5. In this introductory course, we'll equip you with essential skills to navigate Unreal Engine from a new user to a proficient game designer. 

We'll start by guiding you through setting up your account, downloading the engine, and familiarizing you with the interface. Then, we'll explore Quixel Megascans, asset importing, materials, world building, lighting, sound, and source control. Throughout the course, you'll learn to sculpt immersive environments, implement dynamic lighting, basic audio effects, and collaborate effectively with team members using source control. 

Are you ready to begin your game design journey with Unreal Engine? Let's dive in and discover the exciting possibilities this fantastic platform offers!

This course is meant for learners who are looking to learn the basics of getting started with Unreal Engine. To take this course learners won't need any experience with Unreal Engine.

Unreal Engine Fundamentals 

In this course, you'll embark on a journey into the heart of game design through our Level Design course. Discover the art and theory that shapes player experiences, examining real-game examples to understand the nuances of level design. From single-player to multiplayer, grasp the principles that make each experience unique and engaging.

Craft your level design skills for different game scenarios, creating personalized design documents that foster collaborative team efforts. Dive into the collaborative process, mastering the creation of comprehensive-level design documents that ensure a shared vision among team members.

Experience the hands-on transformation of your conceptual-level sketches into playable environments using Unreal Engine. Explore the greyboxing process with Unreal Engine's tools, and follow best practices to bring your levels to life with lighting and traversal. By the end of the course, you'll confidently apply level design theory, turning your creative ideas into tangible results in Unreal Engine. Join us in unlocking the potential of your game design journey.

This course is intended for learners who are interested in learning an introduction to level design without having any experience. It is recommended that learners complete course 1 and course 2 in this certification before starting.

Fundamentals of Level Design with Unreal Engine

The Blueprint Visual Scripting system in Unreal Engine is a visual programming language that uses a node-based interface to create gameplay elements. The node-based workflow provides designers with a wide range of scripting concepts and tools that are generally only available to programmers. In addition, Blueprint-specific markup available in Unreal Engine's C++ implementation provides programmers with a way to create baseline systems that designers can extend. This is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in engineering or science, along with high school students and professionals with an interest in programming.

This course introduces learners to the Blueprint Visual Scripting system. Participants will learn Blueprint basics, how they relate to C++, and Blueprint programming principles,  and will use their knowledge to create an interactive door for a video game.

This course does not require learners to have any previous knowledge about Blueprint scripting to get started. It is recommended that the learner take courses 1 through 3 before starting this course.

Blueprint Scripting

In this course, you’ll be introduced to visual and audio development for games. You’ll learn about 3D models, animation, visual effects (VFX), and sound effects (SFX). 

This course covers a variety of art-related topics that will help in your process to design, prototype, and better visualize new ideas. By the end, you’ll be able to: 

- Identify key art styles, lighting, and camera features used in games;
- Create, modify, paint, and UV 3D models;
- Use and create Niagara VFX and SFX for game design; 
- Understand technical animation;
- How to implement animation in Unreal Engine.

Visual Development and Audio Design in Games

Unlock the full potential of your game design skills with our comprehensive course on User Interface (UI) in Unreal Engine! Designed for aspiring game developers and UI designers, this course equips you with foundational and advanced techniques to create engaging and intuitive interfaces. No prior experience is needed, but it’s recommended to complete Courses 1-4 for a solid grounding.

Dive into the principles of effective UI design, from minimalist and modular approaches to understanding programming paradigms. Gain hands-on experience with Unreal Engine’s UMG, learning to differentiate between the designer and code graphs and mastering the essentials of UI creation. Through practical exercises, you'll mock up various UI widgets and add functional code, and you’ll also develop common game components such as world maps, loading screens, and mini maps.

What sets this course apart is its blend of theoretical insights and practical application, all within the Unreal Engine ecosystem. Whether you're aiming to enhance player experience or streamline your design process, this course will help you build professional-quality user interfaces with confidence.

User Interface in Game Design

Elevate your game design skills with our immersive course on User Interface (UI) in Unreal Engine, where no prior experience is necessary, though completion of Courses 1-4 is recommended. This course stands out by blending theoretical insights with hands-on practice to create exceptional user experiences.

Begin by exploring the comprehensive game theory behind User Experience (UX), focusing on key aspects like game loops, camera dynamics, and UI design. Learn how to ensure accessibility for all players through effective iconography, automation, and audio design. Progress to implementing UX features using advanced tools such as Niagara VFX and Unreal Engine’s UI systems, enhancing elements from combat to crafting.

In the final module, grasp the intricacies of designing effective game loops with goals ranging from seconds to hours. By the end, you'll be equipped to design inclusive, engaging, and dynamic game interfaces that resonate with players and enhance their overall experience. This course uniquely integrates theory with practical application, ensuring you can create polished, player-focused designs.

User Experience in Game Design

In this course, you will be introduced to game development and prototyping for games. Courses 1-4 are highly recommended while Courses 5-7 create the foundational Unreal Engine project, assets and code used throughout this course. This course requires no previous experience and aimed at beginners. 

This course explores 6 different game modes: Stealth Survival, Platformer, Capture the Flag, Action Combat, Crafting, and Story.

This course will include a pre-production phase where learners will break down the design of each mode using Obsidian. Understanding the core gameplay experience each mode is intended to design. This pre-production phase will not only outline gameplay features but also how you can reuse assets and code for quick prototyping. After pre-production, there is a module dedicated to creating each game mode. This will include game mode-specific code, design and iteration. By the end of this course you will package your project to be in a visually presentable format for your portfolio.

Epic Games Game Design

About the Program

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Academic Excellence

Outcomes

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Meta Front-End Developer$300

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