B.DESIGN IN GAME DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
ACAD is one of the Best Game Design College in India offering a 4-year undergraduate govt. degree program in Game Design & Development.
Game design is the art of applying design and aesthetics to create a game. Game design also refers to how one plays the game. What are the rules? How is the game scored? How does the level of difficulty change with play? What makes the game fun or challenging?
Game designers take the creative lead in imagining and bringing to life video game worlds. Game designers are an important part of a comprehensive team of designers and developers that coordinate the complex task of creating a new video game. Game designers have duties like designing characters, levels, props, user interface, puzzles, game art and animation.
Game Developers use all the characters, assets, levels, sprite sheets, UI, etc. developed by the game designer & develop it into a final game using programming in different game engines.
Gaming is a booming market. The video game industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. economy. Digital gaming sales hit record $61 billion in 2015. In 2013, video game companies sold 160 million units, leading to an astounding $15.4 billion in software revenue and $21.53 billion overall.
ABOUT
Game design is the process of designing the content and rules of a video game in the pre-production stage and designing the gameplay, environment, storyline, and characters in the production stage. The designer of a game is very much like the director of a film; the designer is the visionary of the game and controls the artistic and technical elements of the game in fulfillment of their vision. Game design requires artistic and technical competence as well as writing skills.
Game Designers devise what a game consists of and how it plays. They plan and define all the elements of a game: its setting; structure; rules; story flow; characters; levels, the objects, props, vehicles, and devices available to the characters; interface design; and modes of play.
Many graphic elements of games are created by the designer when producing a prototype of the game, revised by the developer based on testing, and then further refined by the artist and combined with artwork as a game is prepared for publication or release. Once the game is devised, the Game Designer communicates this to the rest of the development team who create the computer code that allow the game to be played.
CURRICULUM
Our curriculum makes ACAD the Best Game Design & Development college in India. B.Design in Game Design & Development is a 4 year program. This program is a combination of Game Art, Game Design, Game Development, Level Design, Game Rules & Psychology. The course curriculum is as following:
- Fundamental of Art –Build a strong foundation in visual language, design theory, and color science applicable across all creative domains.
- History of Games –Understand the evolution of games through major technological, cultural, and design milestones.
- Fundamentals of Game Design –Introduce students to the foundational elements that define how games are designed, structured, and developed.
Learn about Game Genres, People involved in game design, Elements of Gameplay, Level Design in Games, Asset Creation for games, Stages of Production in the Game Pipeline, Artificial Intelligence in Games - Sketching – Still Life, Nature Study, Life Drawing, Figure Drawing, Perspective, Gesture Drawing, Landscape, Coloring through different mediums.
- Principles of Animation (Lightbox) – Study of the 12 principles of animation through various assignments on lightbox like bouncing ball, flour sack animation, etc.
- Pre-Production I (Character Design & Backgrounds for Games) – Introduction to character design & turnaround for games . Introduction to Backgrounds & layouts for games. This also includes case studies & adapting styles to create new characters & backgrounds.
- Introduction to Digital Tools I (Photoshop & Illustrator) –Master basic tools used in the game and animation pipeline for asset creation and visual development.
- Game Programming – C# and Unity – To provide a strong foundation in programming logic and Unity scripting.
- Sketchbook / Artbook Development –Develop visual observation, creative ideation, and storytelling through traditional art. A complete personal artbook showing concept development and design thinking
- Board & Physical Game Design – Learn the fundamentals of game design through hands-on analog prototyping. Create a physical board game prototype with full documentation
- Fame Engine Fundamentals & Project 1 – Unity –Introduce game engine workflows and create a complete fully playable 2D/3D hyper-casual game project
- Nonlinear Storytelling – Understand how to write dynamic and emotionally engaging game stories, incorporating branching structures and player-driven narratives.
- Level Design –Learn how to structure engaging game levels that provide challenge, variety, and meaningful progression. Playtesting & Iterative Refinement. The Level Design Process – Preliminary Planning & Sketches, Base Architecture (Tiles, Platforms, Obstacles), Core Gameplay Design (Mechanics, Rewards), Aesthetic & Environmental Detailing
- Game Engine Theory –Understand the core systems behind game engines and how they enable interactivity, mechanics, and rendering. Engine Differences across genres, Real World Mechanic, Animation Mechanics, Game Rules and Mechanics, Character Mechanics, Layer Mechanic, Environment Mechanics, Mechanics for External Forces, Game Loop & Real Time Simulation, Human Interface Devices (HID), Rendering Engine, Game Play Systems, Human Interface Devices
- Storytelling & Level Design for 2D Games – Apply storytelling and level design principles specifically for side-scrolling or top-down 2D games. Writing your own 2D Game Story, Creating Main Characters, NPCs, and Lore, Building Storyboards for Gameplay Flow, Designing Levels, Case Studies: Celeste, Hollow Knight, Limbo, Undertale
- Game Assets – Develop and animate the art assets required for a 2D game using both traditional and digital techniques. Creating Concept Art & Style Guides, Developing Sprite Sheets: Character Movement (Walk, Run, Jump), Enemies, Items, Platforms, Backgrounds, UI/UX Design for 2D Games, Visual Effects for: Health Pickups, Damage, Level Up, Exporting Assets into Sprite Sheets
- Spine Animation for 2D Games:Use Spine to create smooth skeletal animations for characters and effects in 2D games.
- Game Engine (Unity 2D) – Learn Unity’s tools for building 2D games, using sprites, scripting, and interface customization.Unity Interface & Scene Setup for 2D, Character Controller Setup, Unity Sprite System: Sprite Sheets, Slice & Pivot, Animation Tools. Camera, Maps, and Parallax Scrolling. Implementing:
NPCs & Dialogue, RPG UI Elements, Inventory & Level Up System, Particle Effects & 2D Visual Effects, World vs Screen Space UI, Platform-Specific Settings & Optimization - Game programming for Unity 2D – Learn to write basic to intermediate scripts in Unity using C# to bring interactivity to your 2D game.
- Project 2 – Duo Collaboration: 2D Game – Foster collaboration and critical design through small team development. Complete 2D game with menus, multiple levels, and feedback systems based on given theme
- Final 2D Game Design Project – Create a complete playable 2D game using everything learned across the semester. Simulate studio-style teamwork and complete game production. Create a Fully playable 2D game with at least 6 levels, story integration, and custom UI/UX.
- Introduction to 3D Tools – Autodesk Maya – Build foundational 3D modeling skills for use in games. Basic 3D assets ready for import into Unity or Unreal
- Unity 3D – Advanced Game Development: Deepen 3D game development knowledge in Unity. Topics Covered: Terrain design, lighting, skyboxes, 3D physics and collisions, Particle effects and VFX, Third-person camera and controller, Health, enemy spawn systems, win/loss states. Create A hyper-casual 3D Unity game showcasing interaction systems and environments
- Game Psychology & Emotional Design : Understand psychological triggers that influence player behaviour and how emotional design enhances engagement. Topics – Player Motivation, Emotional Triggers, Immersion Mechanics, Emotional Design Framework
- Game Feel: Learn to refine and tune the sensory and emotional experience of interaction in gameplay. What is Game Feel? (Definition & Core Concepts), Principles of Game Feel, Interactivity, Response Time, Feedback Loop, Input Metrics (Lag, Delay), Response Metrics (Animation, Haptics), Context Metrics (Narrative, UI), Polish Metrics (SFX, Particles, Juiciness), Metaphor & Rule Metrics (Clarity of Actions, Consequences)
- Defining Rules for Games: Explore how rule systems define gameplay and lead to emergent behaviour. Topics Covered: What Are Rules in Games? Game Systems, Rule Bending, Hacking, Glitches, Meta-Play
- Alternative Character Design: Design diverse, creative characters by understanding anatomy, cultural reference, and stylization. Human Anatomy: Skeleton, Muscle, Movement, Animal Anatomy: 4-Legged & Winged Creatures, Anthropomorphism: Mixing Human/Animal Traits, Costume & Accessory Design, Designing: Villains, Aliens, Fantasy Beasts, Superheroes, Turnaround Sheet & Final Concept Art for 2 original characters
- 3D Modeling & Texturing (Maya + Substance Painter) : Objective: Learn a complete modelling pipeline for game-ready assets and characters. Maya Workflow & Substance Painter Workflow.
- Digital Sculpting with ZBrush : Use ZBrush to create highly detailed organic characters for cinematic or game-ready assets.
- 3D Rigging & Animation (Maya) : Learn to rig and animate 3D models for in-game or cinematic use.
- Game Engine (Unreal Engine 5) – Develop real-time 3D games using Unreal Engine’s powerful tools and Blueprints. C++ Scripting Basics (Optional Advanced)
- Unreal Engine – Environment, Cinematics, Animation & Interactive Game Creation –Learn Unreal Engine for cinematic storytelling and immersive gameplay. Outcome: A narrative-driven, level-based playable project with lighting and visual storytelling
- AR/VR – Immersive Prototyping & Experience Design – Prototype for AR and VR platforms using game engines. Unity/Unreal VR template setup, VR input systems: controllers, hand tracking, Spatial UI and user interaction design, Designing for AR: marker tracking, GPS, Performance optimization, Creating Interactive immersive prototype for headset or AR-enabled device
- Artificial Intelligence in Gaming: Understand the role, architecture, and types of AI used in modern games, distinct from academic AI systems. What is AI in Gaming? Academic AI vs Game AI: Efficiency > Accuracy, Model of Game AI, Algorithms & Data Structures, Complexity Fallacy, Types of Game AI, AI Optimization, AI Engine Structure
- Virtual Reality in Games: Learn the components of VR hardware, interaction models, and their integration in game engines. What is VR? VR Hardware, Game Engine VR Setup, Game Engine VR Setup, Create a VR-based prototype with one interactive scene
- Game Production & Management: Master the production pipeline and managerial aspects of a game project from conception to shipping. Game Development Lifecycle, Project Management Methods, Developer–Publisher Relationship, Game Plan Components, Game Build & Testing
- Level Design (3D Games): Design immersive and functional 3D game levels using modern level design techniques. Understanding Spatial Flow in 3D, Blockout / White Boxing Techniques, Environment Storytelling, Play Zones, Safe Zones, Danger Areas, Terrain Design, Navigation Mesh, Lighting & Color in Level Design, Game Loop Integration & Environmental Triggers
- Game Assets Development (3D Games) : Model and animate 3D characters and props optimized for game use. 3D Prop Design: Weapons, Vehicles, Architecture Elements, Game Character Design for Fantasy, Sci-fi, Realism, Stylized, Exporting Game-Ready Animations, Moving Assets by Deformation (Morph Targets, Blend shapes)
- Game Engine Development (Unity 3D & Unreal Engine): Learn full Advanced 3D game development pipeline in Unity and Unreal from setup to gameplay mechanics
- Final 3D Game Design Project: Apply everything learned across semesters to produce a fully playable 3D game with real-world polish. Final Submission: Playable Game Build, Game Design Document (GDD), Art Bible (Character & Asset Sheets), Production Plan, Video Trailer / Gameplay Demo.
- AR/VR Game Project – Immersive Experience Development: Develop a complete immersive game for VR or AR. Outcome: Fully functional immersive experience ready for deployment/showcase
- Final Game Project – 3D Narrative Production & Deployment: Capstone production that demonstrates the student’s full range of skills. Topics Covered: Thematic brief & world-building, Narrative and character integration, Level progression, sound, UI, and effects, Game monetization (optional), Polish, deploy, and pitch. Final Deliverables: Fully playable 3D game (solo or team), Game Design Document (GDD), Trailer or walkthrough video, Final presentation and showcase
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
ACAD has a dedicated placement cell to provide internships & placement to all its graduates. The video game industry is one of the few markets that continues to grow, even during recession. In India, joining salaries are around Rs 7 – 20 lakh per annum for game designers. Abroad – The average salary across the entire game industry is $60,000 – $80,000 (40 Lacs – 56 lacs per annum).
Game designers can work in –
- Big Gaming Companies like EA, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Sega, etc.
- Small Gaming Companies like 19Studios, 99Games, Games2Win, GameEon Infotech, Zebu Games, etc.
- Animation Production Houses
- In Colleges as lecturers & teachers
- Start your own Gaming Company.
APPLY NOW
Admissions at Artemisia college degree courses are through the ACAD Entrance TEST or through Portfolio Submission which is followed by a Personal Interview. To apply for admission please read and do any of the following –
A. Complete the online admission form by clicking the button below and pay the Admission Test Fee of Rs. 1000/- online to give the ACAD Entrance Exam.
OR
B. Students can apply for early admission by submitting their creative work (portfolio). Their work will be evaluated upon submission. If approved, the student will not have to give the ACAD Entrance Test & will be granted admission after personal interview. If the student’s work is not approved, he/she can still sit for the ACAD Entrance Test. Students can upload their portfolio & apply for early admission by clicking the button below.