Game Academy Coursework Overview
The six-week program consists of daily lectures on various topics concerning video game development and the industry itself, followed by four-hour studio sessions in the afternoon where various specific skills classes and workshops are held. All of these courses will be hosted at the Entertainment Technology Center which is located just off main campus. Students will be bussed the short distance to and from the main campus every day.
Upon applying for the National High School Game Academy, students will need to declare an Art Focus or a Programming Focus. While all students will take classes in all three areas of art, programming and game design, their declared focus will dictate the length of time they spend in each area. On the first day of class, each of these two focus areas will then be split into three additional groups (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) in order to aid us in providing a challenging level of study for all students. If a student is a beginner, or unsure of which focus to take, or is an accomplished programmer already then it is suggested that they choose the Art Focus so that they can explore a new area of study at the NHSGA.
While the emphasis of the National High School Game Academy is to acquaint the student with the process of video game development, that effort is focused through the building of playable game demos and game assets. Students will develop a portfolio of their completed work and will present them for play testing and critique. Parents are again encouraged to attend this final afternoon session and see firsthand what has been accomplished.
At the end of the program, every student will receive an evaluation of his or her coursework along with advice for future development in college studies that would help him or her best prepare for this profession.
