
Introduction to Video Game Design
This Introductory certificate course welcomes aspiring video game designers to experience the creation process of digital interactive computer games for the Video Games industries.
Accredited. Trusted. Respected.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Quick facts
Online Certificate |
4 weeks |
Portfolio not required |
Student profile
How this program works:
Watch video (3 min)
Built for the industry. Built for your trust.
Program designed in consulations with major studios in
the Animation, VFX and Video Game industries.
.
Introduction Courses start:
Monday April 8th, 2019
Application Deadline is March 29th, 2019.

Introduction to Video Game Design
Online Program Description
This course teaches students how to design interactive digital entertainment. They will study game design theory, including system design, gameplay design and level design, economics, rewards and monetization.
Students will be introduced to tools used by professional designers. Video Game Design students learn how to design, test and polish their own games.
Who Should
Attend this program
Beginners, Aspiring game designers, people that like to create interactive entertainment with a good technical understanding, must enjoy using computer game engine software.
Artists that like to design and create strategies with a wild imagination. Artists that are intrigued of the behind the scenes work done in the video games industry.
Our
Target Student
Beginners, Aspiring game designers who are deeply passionate about digital interactive entertainment.
Artists who recognize and understand their strengths of what they can be best at, and can build a rewarding career.
Not Our
Target Student
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.
Program Outline
Introduction to Video Game Design
Week 1
What is a Game?
- What is a Video Game Designer?
Week 2
What is a player?
- Personas Definition
Week 3
Storytelling
- Narrative in Games
Week 4
Challenges & Rules
- Creating a game structure
All asssignments have to be succesfully completed to pass the course.
Course codes: INGAME-100, INGAME-200, INGAME-300, INGAME-400.
Vancouver Animation School reserves the right to review and change without notice the curriculum design to meet the industry requirements.
100% Online
Live Classes
- Small class sizes
- 1 live session per week, one hour per session
- 1 live support classes per week, one hour per session
- Office Hours support
Assignments
Workload
- Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
- Online activities
- Assignments workload 10 - 20 hours per week
Times
Schedules
- Schedules are assembled by time zone
- Applicants will provide 3 time preferences in the application form.
- We do our best to match those preferences between students and teachers.
All Inclusive Education
Every week, students have access to additional live classes of their preference to supplement their learning and improve their understanding.
Industry Driven.
Become the
awesome Artist
you are meant to be.
Talk to a human?
Click to call: 1 888-677-8827 or email: info@vanas.ca
Software Requirements
Students are responsible for supplying their own Computer Software.
Academic discounts are available to our students.
Unity Game Engine

Free for VANAS Students
Excel

Free for VANAS Students
System Requirements
Students are responsible for supplying their own Computer Hardware.

Windows System
Processor: 3 GHZ or higher
8 GB RAM (12 GB recommended)
Firefox or Chrome internet browsers
Flash Player

Apple Mac OSX
Processor: Core Duo / Intel
8 GB RAM (12 GB recommended)
Firefox or Chrome internet browsers
Flash Player

Internet
Broadband, High Speed connection
10 Mbps Download (Recommended)
1 Mbps Upload (Recommended)

Webcam & Headset
These are essential tools for Online Programs
Industry Driven.
Become the
awesome Artist
you are meant to be.
Talk to a human?
Click to call: 1 888-677-8827 or email: info@vanas.ca
Canadian Designation
An official transcript is the VANAS' certified statement of your academic record. The official paper transcript is printed on security sensitive paper and contains the Institution seal and signature of the Institution Registrar.

The Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation is British Columbia’s brand for quality post- secondary education.

The Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education administers associated regulations.

A joint initiative of the provinces and territories, through the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC),

Established in 1990 to fulfill Canada’s obligations under the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies.

What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is meant to protect students, schools, and employers. It ensures that a school is educating its students and meeting quality standards. If you choose a school that isn’t accredited, it may be difficult to use your academic credentials. Few employers will take your education seriously. Additionally, you may not be able to transfer your credit hours or degree to an accredited school.
If you are learning for personal enjoyment, accreditation may not be important to you. However, if you want to use your academic credential in the workplace or plan on furthering your education at a later date, accreditation is essential.
“I wanted to move to the next level in my career, for a long time I wanted to learn
character animation because I love movement and the possibility to make a
digital 3d character come to life, make feelings believable!”
Invest in Something Extraordinary: You
Premium Higher Education with all-inclusive industry values.
VANAS welcomes you, works for you and cares for you.
Introductory Courses
- Introductory courses have an industry
- focus curriculum and taught by
- industry teachers who are leaders
- in their fields. These courses are
- intended for students to discover
- new learning areas by bringing
- awareness and application
- simultaneously. There are no
- pre-requisites, anyone can attend.
1-Year Diploma
- A 12 months diploma program that
- will take you in a semester-based
- learning journey. VANAS Diploma
- programs are career focused with
- a learning methodology that will
- take you from foundations, to
- development to understanding;
- designed with an all-inclusive
- educational pedagogy.
2-Year Diploma
$37,000 (Save 34%)
- A second year is a common choice
- for many learners, it allows them to
- complement, redefine and expand
- their abilities in order to reach a
- mastery learning stage.
- The quality of their work has the
- intention of achieving the studio
- quality seen in a production
- environment.
We offer a simple model where the tuition is the same for Canadian and International Students for all our full time diploma programs.
Tuition fees are in Canadian Dollars (CAD), reviewed annually by the Advisory Board and are subject to change without notice.
FAME Member Pricing
Discounts off select programs
Funding Options
VANAS' goal is to recruit the best and brightest to join our school, regardless of their backgrounds or financial situations. We find talent of different ages located anywhere in the world. VANAS values diversity.

VANAS Scholarships
These are the most sought-after source of financial assistance. Applicants will need to provide accurate details of their financial situation.

External Funding
Explore different global funding methods for your career programs, including Student Finance Loans, RESPs as well as a list of existing funding options by country.
Your Tuition is Protected
The Student Training Completion Fund is established under the Private Training Act
and provides consumer protection to students enrolled in programs at institutions
registered with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB).
Frequently Asked Questions
To indicate your commitment to Vancouver Animation School (VANAS), and to reserve your seat in the program, you are required to pay a non-refundable tuition deposit to VANAS.
The amount of your deposit is based on the cost of your program, individual financial plan and your selected payment option.
Before paying your deposit, you must have received your Offer of Admission from VANAS.
For Diploma programs, the following payment options are available:
Payment Options | Frequency | Amount Due | ||
A | Full Payment | $18,500 | ||
B | Per Term | $4,810 | ||
C (Not available for students on a study permit) |
Monthly | $1,775 |
Industry Connected Programs & Courses
Education by real Artists who love helping Artists succeed.
Career Pathway
VANAS Introduction to
Video Game Design
4 weeks
1 year
VANAS Video Game
Design Diploma
Industry Driven.
Become the
awesome Artist
you are meant to be.
Talk to a human?
Click to call: 1 888-677-8827 or email: info@vanas.ca