In the Video Game Design Diploma, students learn how to create and design a variety of games for the mobile and console video game markets. Students choose between online and combined classes delivery options to fit their busy schedules and learning styles. As part of the course curricula, students learn game design foundations, the roles, and tools of the industry, psychology of the players, and how to monetize a game. By the end of the program, students create a final project demonstrating their own game mechanics and systems in a particular game genre.
Aspiring game designers, people that demonstrate problem-solving skills, people that like to design strategies, enjoy people dynamics, and have a wild imagination. People with the technical ability to convey their ideas through video game engine software.
Aspiring video game designers who are deeply passionate about interactive media and bringing life to their game designs. People who already recognize and understand their strengths of what they can be best at, and can build a rewarding career throughout their life in the Entertainment industry.
Artists looking for general education, undecided or unknowledgeable about career paths. We recommend taking our other short introductory courses to find and recognize their strengths.
Watch video (3 min)
• Small class sizes
• Two online live sessions per week, one hour per session
• One online live support class per week, one hour per session
• One online live homework class per week, 30 minutes per session
• One online live student networking session per day, one hour per session
• One in-person session per week, three hours per session
• Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
• Synchronous and asynchronous online activities
• 20-25 hours per week
• Class times are listed at the top of this website page
• Class times are also visible on the application form
• Flexible times for you to work and study at the same time
• Small class sizes
• Two online live sessions per week, one hour per session
• One online live support class per week, one hour per session
• One online live homework class per week, 30 minutes per session
• One online live student networking session per day, one hour per session
• Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
• Synchronous and asynchronous online activities
• 20-25 hours per week
• Class times are listed at the top of this website page
• Class times are also visible on the application form
• Flexible times for you to work and study at the same time
• Small class sizes
• Two online live sessions per week, one hour per session
• One online live support class per week, one hour per session
• One online live homework class per week, 30 minutes per session
• One online live student networking session per day, one hour per session
• Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
• Synchronous and asynchronous online activities
• Class times are listed at the top of this website page
• Class times are also visible on the application form
• Flexible times for you to work and study at the same time
Game design principles and foundations will be studied during this term. The history of games will be explored to give a greater understanding of why games developed and evolved. Game player demographics and psychology will be analyzed to reveal who plays and why. The various game genres and platforms are researched and explored. Through a series of assignments, students will learn to design a game.
Duration: 3 months
The core design elements in a game will be studied by deconstructing existing games and constructing new games. Students will learn how to develop new mechanics or game features. Defining a feature list, audience personas, core loops and core mechanics of a game. The creation of a progression chart for a game is implemented using established games. Using a computer game engine student will make improvements to games.
Duration: 3 months
Students will learn the principles of good level design, increasing entertainment for the player through the application of mechanics and loops in a game. Additional tools will be introduced to help develop initial concepts. Communication and implementation skills will be optimized will the aid of these tools. The different designer roles and their responsibilities will be expanded upon.
Duration: 3 months
Students will design their own systems, levels and features within a game as their final project. This will be achieved through a series of assignments and milestones that will enable them to enhance the core elements of the game. Research of similar genre games and planning will be conducted in order to create a competitor’s analysis report. A vision statement for the new game idea will be created.
Duration: 3 months
Game design principles and foundations will be studied during this term. The history of games will be explored to give a greater understanding of why games developed and evolved. Game player demographics and psychology will be analyzed to reveal who plays and why. The various game genres and platforms are researched and explored. Through a series of assignments, students will learn to design a game.
Duration: 3 months
The core design elements in a game will be studied by deconstructing existing games and constructing new games. Students will learn how to develop new mechanics or game features. Defining a feature list, audience personas, core loops and core mechanics of a game. The creation of a progression chart for a game is implemented using established games. Using a computer game engine student will make improvements to games.
Duration: 3 months
Students will learn the principles of good level design, increasing entertainment for the player through the application of mechanics and loops in a game. Additional tools will be introduced to help develop initial concepts. Communication and implementation skills will be optimized will the aid of these tools. The different designer roles and their responsibilities will be expanded upon.
Duration: 3 months
Course codes: GAME-100, GAME-200, GAME-300, GAME-400. Students must obtain a minimum grade of a B- (73%) to successfully pass the course. VANAS reserves the right to review and change without notice the curriculum design to meet the industry requirements.
High school graduate (with transcript), or 19 years of age or older
Prospective students must successfully pass general the assessment test in our application form. The test assesses Computer Knowledge, Internet knowledge, English reading, and Writing skills.
For the Video Game Design Diploma program, no portfolio is required. However, a letter of intent must be submitted as part of the application. If students do not have a portfolio, they may earn their way to admission by successfully passing the Introduction to Digital Arts course with a minimum grade of B- (73%).
International students with English as a second language must demonstrate a good oral and written level of English. A telephone, video call, or in-person interview is required to verify English proficiency.
This full-time online program meets the Ministry of Education requirements to Study and Work in Canada. Classes are conducted online and onsite, and on-site lab access is available for students to interact with one another.
Students will need to apply for a Student Visa and are permitted to work for up to 20 hours per week for the duration of the program.
Citizen and Immigration Canada reserves the right to grant student visas and work permits on an individual basis. In order to apply for a Student Visa, students must be accepted into the program.
The Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education administers the Private Training Act and associated regulations.
The Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation is British Columbia’s brand for quality post-secondary education.
The Canadian Information Center for International Credentials (CICIC) was established in 1990, after Canada ratified the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies.
A joint initiative of the provinces and territories, through the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), and Global Affairs Canada.
Our strategic plan, Talent and Prosperity for All, details the state’s opportunities and workforce objectives while our performance reports enforce strict accountability measures that go beyond federal requirements, ensuring the state’s education and training programs receive an objective evaluation, meet Washington’s high performance goals, and offer a return on investment for taxpayers.
When paying with a Credit Card, a non-refundable convenience fee from 4% - 6% of the total amount will be applied. A convenience fee, sometimes referred to as a credit or debit card "service fee" is established by third party credit or debit card issuers to cover the transaction costs of online purchases. If the payment is international, credit card processors take an additional 1.8% since it's considered cross-border.
VANAS does not receive any portion of convenience or service fee payments. Additionally, these fees are subject to change by third party credit and debit card issuers.
To avoid convenience fees from credit card issuers, you can always use a flat fee payment method such as direct deposit, wire transfer, or use a flat fee processor such as World Remit.
In the Video Game Design Diploma, students learn how to create and design a variety of games for the mobile and console video game markets. Students choose between online and combined classes delivery options to fit their busy schedules and learning styles. As part of the course curricula, students learn game design foundations, the roles, and tools of the industry, psychology of the players, and how to monetize a game. By the end of the program, students create a final project demonstrating their own game mechanics and systems in a particular game genre.
Aspiring game designers, people that demonstrate problem-solving skills, people that like to design strategies, enjoy people dynamics, and have a wild imagination. People with the technical ability to convey their ideas through video game engine software.
Aspiring video game designers who are deeply passionate about interactive media and bringing life to their game designs. People who already recognize and understand their strengths of what they can be best at, and can build a rewarding career throughout their life in the Entertainment industry.
Artists looking for general education, undecided or unknowledgeable about career paths. We recommend taking our other short introductory courses to find and recognize their strengths.
Watch video (3 min)
• Small class sizes
• Two online live sessions per week, one hour per session
• One online live support class per week, one hour per session
• One online live homework class per week, 30 minutes per session
• One online live student networking session per day, one hour per session
• One in-person session per week, three hours per session
• Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
• Synchronous and asynchronous online activities
• 20-25 hours per week
• Class times are listed at the top of this website page
• Class times are also visible on the application form
• Flexible times for you to work and study at the same time
• Small class sizes
• Two online live sessions per week, one hour per session
• One online live support class per week, one hour per session
• One online live homework class per week, 30 minutes per session
• One online live student networking session per day, one hour per session
• Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
• Synchronous and asynchronous online activities
• 20-25 hours per week
• Class times are listed at the top of this website page
• Class times are also visible on the application form
• Flexible times for you to work and study at the same time
• Small class sizes
• One online live session per week, one hour per session
• One online live support class per week, one hour per session
• One online live homework class per week, 30 minutes per session
• One online live student networking class per day, one hour per session
• Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
• Synchronous and asynchronous Online activities
• Class times are listed at the top of this website page
• Class times are also visible on the application form
• Flexible times for you to work and study at the same time
Game design principles and foundations will be studied during this term. The history of games will be explored to give a greater understanding of why games developed and evolved. Game player demographics and psychology will be analyzed to reveal who plays and why. The various game genres and platforms are researched and explored. Through a series of assignments, students will learn to design a game.
Duration: 3 months
The core design elements in a game will be studied by deconstructing existing games and constructing new games. Students will learn how to develop new mechanics or game features. Defining a feature list, audience personas, core loops and core mechanics of a game. The creation of a progression chart for a game is implemented using established games. Using a computer game engine student will make improvements to games.
Duration: 3 months
Students will learn the principles of good level design, increasing entertainment for the player through the application of mechanics and loops in a game. Additional tools will be introduced to help develop initial concepts. Communication and implementation skills will be optimized will the aid of these tools. The different designer roles and their responsibilities will be expanded upon.
Duration: 3 months
Students will design their own systems, levels and features within a game as their final project. This will be achieved through a series of assignments and milestones that will enable them to enhance the core elements of the game. Research of similar genre games and planning will be conducted in order to create a competitor’s analysis report. A vision statement for the new game idea will be created.
Duration: 3 months
Game design principles and foundations will be studied during this term. The history of games will be explored to give a greater understanding of why games developed and evolved. Game player demographics and psychology will be analyzed to reveal who plays and why. The various game genres and platforms are researched and explored. Through a series of assignments, students will learn to design a game.
Duration: 3 months
The core design elements in a game will be studied by deconstructing existing games and constructing new games. Students will learn how to develop new mechanics or game features. Defining a feature list, audience personas, core loops and core mechanics of a game. The creation of a progression chart for a game is implemented using established games. Using a computer game engine student will make improvements to games.
Duration: 3 months
Students will learn the principles of good level design, increasing entertainment for the player through the application of mechanics and loops in a game. Additional tools will be introduced to help develop initial concepts. Communication and implementation skills will be optimized will the aid of these tools. The different designer roles and their responsibilities will be expanded upon.
Duration: 3 months
Course codes: GAME-100, GAME-200, GAME-300, GAME-400. Students must obtain a minimum grade of a B- (73%) to successfully pass the course. VANAS reserves the right to review and change without notice the curriculum design to meet the industry requirements.
High school graduate (with transcript), or 19 years of age or older
Prospective students must successfully pass general the assessment test in our application form. The test assesses Computer Knowledge, Internet knowledge, English reading, and Writing skills.
For the Video Game Design Diploma program, no portfolio is required. However, a letter of intent must be submitted as part of the application. If students do not have a portfolio, they may earn their way to admission by successfully passing the Introduction to Digital Arts course with a minimum grade of B- (73%).
International students with English as a second language must demonstrate a good oral and written level of English. A telephone, video call, or in-person interview is required to verify English proficiency.
The Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education administers the Private Training Act and associated regulations.
The Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation is British Columbia’s brand for quality post-secondary education.
The Canadian Information Center for International Credentials (CICIC) was established in 1990, after Canada ratified the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies.
A joint initiative of the provinces and territories, through the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), and Global Affairs Canada.
Our strategic plan, Talent and Prosperity for All, details the state’s opportunities and workforce objectives while our performance reports enforce strict accountability measures that go beyond federal requirements, ensuring the state’s education and training programs receive an objective evaluation, meet Washington’s high performance goals, and offer a return on investment for taxpayers.
When paying with a Credit Card, a non-refundable convenience fee from 4% - 6% of the total amount will be applied. A convenience fee, sometimes referred to as a credit or debit card "service fee" is established by third party credit or debit card issuers to cover the transaction costs of online purchases. If the payment is international, credit card processors take an additional 1% since it's considered cross-border.
Vancouver Animation School does not receive any portion of convenience or service fee payments. Additionally, these fees are subject to change by third party credit and debit card issuers.
To avoid convenience fees from credit card issuers, you can always use a flat fee payment method such as direct deposit, wire transfer, or use a flat fee processor such as World Remit.