Diploma of Computer Game Development (Animation)
The Information below is only relevant to permanent residents/citizens of Australian and citizens of New Zealand . International students please refer to the International students section.
| Qualification: | Diploma | Program Code: | ||
| Location: | AIE Canberra AIE Melbourne |
Application: | AIE | |
| Duration: | 800 hrs Full Time | Course Schedule: | 20hrs per week |
Overview
Students work in a real-life game development team to design and produce a computer game demo. The end product of the course is a sizeable game that may be used to demonstrate students’ skills to prospective employers or publishers.
The course closely mirrors an industry realistic game development cycle, through which all the following areas are covered: pitching game ideas to writing game design documents, creating concept art and developing technical design documents, modelling, coding, texturing and animating and finally testing and marketing the game; every aspect is covered. Each module has strict milestones which must be met to ensure that the game is finished on time.
Create a game design document. Work together in small teams, drawing on your individual expertise and games knowledge to come up with the next big thing.
State of the art game engine technology. The AIE supports development on state of the art game engines.
Marketing of the game occurs once there is significant art and code content that can be used to create interest in the game. Students from both art and programming are expected to develop products such as web pages, and cut scenes.
Explore areas of specialty such as modelling, level design, animation and texturing. Programmers could study AI, rendering, sound, collision and networking for example.
Pitch and discuss your game ideas with industry experts. They’re ready to listen and help the class find the right game that has the best chance of future success.
Create a demo reel that will excite employers.
Demonstrate your game at the Australian Game Developers Conference. Students can pitch the game and sell their own part in making it to the national and international games industry. The game is also entered into competitions to gain exposure and attention from publishers and developers.
Develop a business plan and discover what it takes to make it a real business. Find out what sort of issues and costs the big and little companies deal with regularly. Throughout the Diploma, guest lecturers from the industry will provide students with information about specific industry topics and with experienced AIE teachers, provide feedback to drive the game development process.
Areas of Study
Concept Art Creating concept art for game development, including storyboard, character design and environment design
Principles of Low Poly Modelling Modelling characters, scenes and environments. Creating, planning and optimising meshes. Deforming, warping and morphing your models.
Texturing Simulating light and shade with textures, getting a realistic look using PhotoShop, UV & Normal Mapping
Character Rigging Creating skeletal structures, getting your character ready to rig and creating efficient rig control hierarchies
Lighting Using lighting to enhance gameplay, types of lights and their uses and lighting effects for games
Vertex Shading Using vertex shading to enhance the model and incorporate vertex lighting to light your scene
Optimising your work Polygon budgeting, creating Level Of Detail Models (LODs), cleaning up animation for gameplay, scaling down complex animations and Max Scripting to aid in games development
Game Art Development Creating concept art for games, data import and export into real-time systems, creating collision models, asset sharing, user interface design, level design and layout, cut scenes and game effects
Game Level Project Art & programming students work together to build a game level, data import and export into real-time systems and asset management
Course Costs
Please contact the campus of your choice for more information on the course fees and flexible payment options available.
Career prospects
On completion of the Diploma of Computer Game Development, students have access to a wide range of careers in the games development and CGI industries. Click here for more information on the careers available in games development.
Entry Requirements
Completion of the Certificate IV in 3D Animation for Games and Film or Certificate IV in Screen, or relevant industry experience or through application for Recognised Prior Learning.
How to Apply
Download the course application form here. Applications for February intake open in September of the previous year. Contact your nearest campus for more information.
