Course
Specialisation Course in Games Design
Specialises and transforms ideas into memorable gaming experiences
The ETIC_Algarve Specialisation Course in Game Design is a technical and specialised programme that takes your video game design skills to an advanced level. Suitable for those who already have a basic grounding in the subject and wish to deepen their knowledge, this course enables you to develop critical thinking, methodology and technical proficiency through a British International Certification, recognised and validated by Teesside University, which holds significant academic and professional value.
On the Games Design Specialisation Course, you will learn:
- Narrative and plot development for video games
- Gameplay design and mechanics
- Concept art and visual creation of characters and places
- Investigation and critical analysis methodologies applied to game design.
This specialised training programme in video games combines theory, research and practical experience with real-world projects, preparing you for a successful career in the video games industry, both nationally and internationally.
The Games Design Specialisation Course leads to a British International Certification, recognised and accredited by Teesside University, which provides an internationally recognised academic pathway.
When you finish this Specialisation Course, you have the opportunity to participate in an ERASMUS+ European mobility project, living an enriching international experience through an internship.
Requirements
- Completion of the two-year Video Games Technical Course at ETIC_Algarve, or a 120-credit certificate for those who have completed the course and for whom credit transfers can be granted In both cases.
- Portfolio in the specific area of the course
- Proficiency level in English with the required scores in the application process.
Support for Trainees
Concern for the well-being of trainees is a constant, which is why ETIC_Algarve has been providing its community with various services that contribute to their personal and human growth.
Whether in support of Insertion into the Labour Market, or in Support of Personal Development, or through financial supports granted through the recent Training Grant, there are several ways we make available to trainees to facilitate and promote their growth.
Training Grant
Jump Internship
Personal Development
Specialised Training
1 year
Classes from September to June
Evening classes, three times a week via e-learning, from 7pm to 10pm
Number of Trainees
Maximum 16
And after the course?
Erasmus+
With the completion of this training you will have the possibility to participate in our ERASMUS+ European mobility project.
Career oppurtunities
- Video game designer
- Level Designer
- Narrative Designer
- Designer UI/UX
- Character Designer
Contents
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Narrative Design and Integration
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In this module, you will have the opportunity to explore the theory and application of Narrative concepts in Games.
You will analyse various aspects of Narratives in Video Games, including Narration, Character Creation, Narrative Arches, Point of View, Voice, Time, Cutscenes, Narrative Texture / Environmental Storytelling, Backstory, Narrative through Affordances and Signifiers, Worldbuilding, and Emergent Narrative. You will be challenged to develop your skills as a Narrative Designer through various strategies.
Practical activities and exercises will be used to stimulate the development of your own narrative voice and individual style in writing and/or visual storytelling.
For the evaluation, it will be necessary to create an individual narrative and/or a world-building plan, accompanied by a demonstration within a game engine.
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Beta Arcade
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This module is designed to provide you with work experience as a member of a Game Development team, closely reflecting industry practices.
You will collaborate in teams to develop and present a game demo.
The evaluation will be conducted as a group, and each trainee will also be evaluated by their peers based on their individual participation. As part of this process, you will create a “Making of” Design/Art Book in electronic format.
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Games Projetct
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This module functions as a kind of thesis, where you will carry out a large-scale study under supervision.
The project involves creating a significant artifact related to your course, culminating in a written report and a live version, which includes the presentation, demonstration, and discussion of your work.
You will receive guidance to develop appropriate work discipline, combined with a professional mindset.
You are expected to take responsibility for the planning and execution of an expanded project, taking into consideration legal, social, ethical and professional issues.
This project allows you to explore in depth an area of interest of your choice, potentially the one in which you wish to specialise. It will demonstrate your ability to analyse, synthesise, and creatively apply the knowledge acquired throughout the program, while also highlighting your critical thinking and professional awareness.
Trainees will be assessed individually through two components: a research report on their chosen design and a proof of concept based on their research.
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Masterclasses
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Throughout the course Masterclasses are planned with international professionals who can bring added value to the trainees’ projects.
Trainees
Resources and Equipment
- Room equipped with one computer per trainee, with Windows environment
- Huion Kamvas and Wacom drawing tablets;
- Meta Quest 2 Virtual Reality Glasses;
- Softwares: Adobe Creative Cloud, Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate, Audition, After Effects, etc.; Spriter; Blender, Unity; Reaper; FM Mod, Unreal Engine, among others.
Portfolio
Prices
Monthly fees:
12 x 404,17€
100€ Application fee + 250€ Registration fee
16 x 303,13€
100€ Application fee + 250€ Registration fee
Special discounts (cannot be combined):
-10%
- Save 485,00€ Full Payment: Former Students
-5%
- save 242,50€
- Payment in full
- Monthly Fees Former students
Other Conditions
Citizens without tax residence in Portugal:
450€ registration fee + 1st instalment – 1,560.00€ (30% of the course fee)
Payable upon registration + 11 monthly instalments of 330.91€
Application Process
Registration takes place between April and the start of classes, the 2nd half of September, as long as there are vacancies in the courses.
They may be made after the admission conditions have been verified and upon payment of registration and presentation of:
- 1 passport-style photograph in digital format
- Portfolio suitable for the specific area of the course
- Certificate of Qualifications
- Certificate of Completion of the 2-year course in Video Games/Completion of the 2-year course in Video Games at ETIC_Algarve or a Certificate of 120 credits that the Candidate has completed. In both cases, the average shall be equal to or greater than 13 values
- Applicant Documents (Identification Document + Taxpayer Card + Proof of Address: water, electricity, telephone bill or driving licence)
- Letter of Recommendation in English
- English proficiency level with scores from one of the following tests is required: DUOLINGO, minimum 115 (95 in all components); IELTS, minimum 6.0 (5.5 in all components); TOEFL IBT, minimum 80 (20 in all components)
- Completion and signing of the registration form and the training contract.
Are you interested?
Make a non-binding pre-registration.