This intensive one year course enables students to develop the practical skills necessary to design games.
Game Design offers a unique mixture of practice and theory developed and taught by industry experts, mixing classwork, workshops and production opportunities in a creative multi-disciplinary environment.
Students are encouraged to build a course that fits their passions, skills and needs through a structure that allows each student to create a unique specialist pathway by a combination of core and elective subjects, including subjects from new Graduate Diplomas in Virtual Worlds, Animation Directing, Directing (Fiction and non-Fiction), and then put that into practice.
By the end of this course students will have had the opportunity to:
- Acquire skills in designing a wide range of games and experiences
- Initiate and lead a creative project
- Explore the role of gameplay and narrative in game design including conflict, goals and managing uncertainty
- Design characters and environments that effectively support the player experience
- Experience the dynamics of single player and online communal environments
- Experience production focused learning in a creative multi-disciplinary environment
- Learn to incorporate cinematic storytelling into the language of gameplay
Through lectures, demonstrations, masterclasses, and industry guest speakers, students will investigate areas such as narrative space, character, performance, fundamentals of gameplay, and creative leadership necessary to design games.
Pre-requisites:
Demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the following areas:
- Computer programming
- Fine arts
- Digital Arts (3D/2D)
- Interactive Design
- Animation
- Creative Producing
- Game design
- Filmmaking
Selection Criteria:
- Demonstrated creative potential as evident in portfolio
- Evidence of ability to complete complex tasks
- Evidence of original creative thinking
Tasks to be completed as part of the application process
- Set Task 1
Create an original response to the theme of 'loneliness'. Please limit written responses to 500 words or other responses to 5 minutes duration.
- Set Task 2
Choose any 5 photographs from the images included in the application form and tell a story (in no more than 500 words
- Include four copies of your creative portfolio which demonstrates your talent and potential. Your portfolio can include documentation of artwork, written work, film, video and interactive work. (Your portfolio must fit in an A4 envelope). Clearly outline your official role on any work submitted in your portfolio.
OR
If you come from a technical background and do not have a creative portfolio, please provide a professional statement which, in no more than 500 words, establishes your eligibility for the course. The statement should outline your reasons for applying, your relevant experience and how you propose to use the knowledge and skills gained from this course.
- Include four copies of your Curriculum Vitae.
- Include four copies of a professional reference from someone in the industry who can attest to your skills.
Download a pdf of the AFTRS Game Design 09 Syllabus >
How to apply info >