Academic Departments » Career & Technical Education » Video Game Design

Video Game Design

videogameNHS Logo

Program Description

Overwatch, Mario Kart, League of Legends, Madden?!?  Building video games as a career!  Absolutely!  All of those designers had to start somewhere and for many students this is the first step on that journey. In California alone there are more than 500 game development studios and 20,000 individuals who make their living creating games. Salaries in the gaming industry are higher than the national average, and a designer with 10+ years of experience can make over $100k annually.

The Video Game Design program is a two-semester course that will teach you the hard and soft skills needed to start a career in game development. Skills gained include how to draft game design documents, how to work on teams, and how to use game design software.

 

WHAT STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

  • Roles in game development
  • Game design theory
  • Game development mythologies
  • Drafting game design documents
  • Game Character development and game storylines.
  • Game Factory 2 (game making software)
  • Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Microsoft Office

 

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES:

This is a career awareness class that instructs students on the basics of game design and development for entry-level employment. Successful Video Game Design students often pursue the following careers:

  • Game Designer
  • Computer Programmer
  • Graphic Artists
  • 3D Artists
  • Sound Engineers
  • Software Q/A Tester
  • Producer
  • Project Managers

 

 HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS AVAILABLE:

Students earn 5 units each semester toward their high school graduation.

 

PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENT(S):

Video Game Design students should have a solid attendance record and high school level reading, writing, math, and computer skills. 

 

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:

Justin Smith

  • Born and raised in Bakersfield California
  • Has been teaching Career Technical Education Courses at North High School since 2011.
  • I currently teach Video Game Design, Web Design, and Career Tech.
  • Graduate of Stockdale High School
  • Graduate of CSUB MBA and BA.  Go Runners! 
  • Coaches the North High Esports Team
    (We currently play Overwatch and League of Legends...ask me about joining!!!)
  • My classroom is Industrial Arts-3 by the tennis courts

  

CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR: