Game Programmer (Specialization)

About the education

Gameplay, game physics, or AI – become a game programmer!

Gameplay, game physics or AI – get the experience you need to work with programming in the games industry! This educational program provides specialization choices.

Study game programming!

Study game programming with dedicated teachers and creative course mates. Whether it is gameplay functionality, physics, AI, or tools that you are most interested in specializing for game development, this program will get you into the industry with credibility through hands-on development experience in video game programming.

  • 2,5 years (5 terms/semesters)
  • 30 weeks of internship (LIA)
  • Specialization semester
  • Degree: Higher Vocational Education Diploma

 

Specializations in Game Programmer 

In the fourth semester of the education you will pick between one of two possible areas of specialization, allowing you to prepare even better for your internships.

  • Gameplay Programmer – By choosing this specialized role you will get a thorough understanding of how different game mechanics work and how they can be adapted to create  different gaming experiences. This includes learning about game physics and mathematics in game production. You will be able to troubleshoot, evaluate and optimize code and systems, and simulate and apply physics adapted for game development.

 

  • Engine and Tools Programmer Choosing this specialisation means getting to grips to understanding  different software architectures for game engines and being able to design graphical interfaces adapted for game development. You will be able to implement the various parts of a game engine, such as rendering engines and physics engines. You will also be able to troubleshoot, evaluate and optimize code and systems, and program a game engine as well as create specific tools that work with them. 

Game Programmer course learning outcomes

  • Program games in C++
  • Program games in C#
  • Be able to identify the unique methods to program efficiently in modern game productions
  • Implement common algorithms used in game programming
  • Use Unreal Engine 4/5 engine for game programming
  • Use the Unity engine for game programming
  • Create and implement scripts for game production
  • Create server/client solutions for games
  • Create a multiplayer game with several clients
  • Evaluate computer code for efficiency and readability
  • Program games in a structured and qualitative manner
  • Create and apply entertaining AI systems
  • Customize game development based on experience of common problem areas
  • Produce customized GUI and applications for game developers
  • Render advanced 3D graphics
  • Work independently and in a team with planning, development and production of games

Learning by Doing, Learning by Reflection

Learn from industry professionals
Develop through our game programmer education core competencies in game and IT development. You will learn from industry professionals and teachers from leading companies in the industry.

Creative environment
Get access to our creative environment including equipment and relevant software where you grow and build your skills together with talented classmates and senior game developers at Futuregames.

Game projects
You will actively participate in intensive game projects together with coursemates from our other programs that runs concurrently, such as: Indie Game Developer, Game Designer, Game Artist, and QA/Game Testers, where you will be simulating professional projects to reflect the reality of working in the gaming industry, and prepare for a progressive career in creativity.

With our game programmer education, we want to forge pragmatic individuals with balanced and broad-perspective mindset, strong ability to work together, leadership skills, and proactive attitude.

LIA (internship) as part of the education

LIA (lärande i arbete), also known as internship is a part of the program. The practical part of your internship/LIA deepens your learning and provides you with the work experience required to develop today’s and tomorrow’s VFX experiences. You will also get the opportunity to build your network and create relationships with potential future employers during the education.

The video game industry needs you!

We have close working relationships and are in direct cooperation with the games industry. Some of these companies and studios includes King, Avalanche Studios, Ubisoft, EA DICE, Fatshark, Paradox Interactive, Starbreeze Studios, Glorious Games Group, Uprise, NEAT Corporation, Epic Games, Really Interactive, and the list goes on.

We are supported by solid business networks that works with a sustainable model:

Boden Game Camp is an eco-system for every individual and company to learn, grow, and thrive in Boden. They could be the start or the accelerator for your career in the game industry.

Arctic Game Lab is one of northern Europe’s fastest growing game cluster, located in campus Skellefteå, which connects companies to students, and creates environments where the community can learn from each other.

 

Apply as an international student?

Start your games career in Sweden with Futuregames.
Read more on how to apply here ▶

Educational plan

3D and Shader Programming
15YHP / 3w
Artificial Intelligence
15YHP / 3w
Computer technology
15YHP / 3w
Data Structures and Algorithms
25YHP / 5w
Game Programming with C#
30YHP / 6w
Game Programming with C++
50YHP / 10w
Game Project 1
15YHP / 3w
Game Project 2
20YHP / 4w
Game Project 3
35YHP / 7w
Game Project 4
20YHP / 4w
Graduation Project
50YHP / 10w
Internship (LiA)
150YHP / 30w
Network Programming
15YHP / 3w
Professional Development
15YHP / 3w
Specialization - Advanced Gameplay Programming
80YHP / 16w
Specialization - Engine and Tools Programming
80YHP / 16w
TOTAL:
550YHP / 110w

Eligibility

REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY

  • Grades or proof of post graduate qualifications from upper secondary school/high school or equivalent.
  • CV and a personal letter (letting us know why you have chosen the specific program).
  • English 6 from upper secondary school/high school or proof of equivalent knowledge.
  • Mathematics 2 from upper secondary school/high school or proof of equivalent knowledge.
  • Programming 1 from upper secondary school/high school or proof of equivalent knowledge.
  • Work Sample (read “How To Apply” section below for instructions).

Term times

We will give you more information about the term times when you are admitted to the education.

Most terms have different lengths and it is important that you report the right time period and the right amount of HVE-credits (Yh-points) to CSN. Each study week corresponds to five (5) HVE-credits, ie one (1) HVE-credit per day. This is provided that you continuously pass your courses with approved results.

How to apply

HOW TO APPLY TO GAME PROGRAMMER AT FUTUREGAMES

 

To apply as an international student, please proceed to our international student page to read through the application process.

 

Information required to complete your application

 

  • -High school diploma or equivalent.
  • -Documentation for special prerequisites.
  • -CV and personal letter.
  • -Work sample (more information below).
  • -Possible certificates and other grading documents.

 

When you apply, you will need to state the desired location where you wish to study.

 

Please note!
Your CV, personal letter, and work sample(s) are all required to be written in English.

 

 

 

 

 

WORK SAMPLES
Game Programmer application

 

What to submit?

How and what you choose to showcase in your work sample can vary, the important element to remember is the relevance of it to what a game programmer does.

 

It can be a small game you have developed, a system, or one or multiple algorithms.

 

You can showcase your work via text and code snippets, images, and a short video (max three minutes) of your work.

 

Please know that we will not have time to play anything so no need to include a build or project.

 

Describing your work, it is important to explain in detail about the process of creating your work, the reasoning behind it, your challenges and difficulties, where did you have to re-think or adapt, why you chose the solution you did, and if possible what strengths and weaknesses it might have.

 

We need to see how much time you have invested into your future career, and if Futuregames is a good fit for you and your development.

 

 

You can apply with a previous team project, but please specify in detail in which you have contributed to the project.

 

 

Format?

 

-Maximum ten (10) pages.

-Name the file [firstname_surname.pdf].

 

You need to hand in a PDF, 10 pages max long. It must be written in English and be named with your first and last name. You are free to use any layout of the document as you please.

 

 

Is prior tech knowledge mandatory?

 

The game programming program consists of students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, it is an enormous opportunity as you can all learn from and, inspire each other in your professional journey into the games industry.

 

We welcome people from all levels of experience, and some basic and programming skills is a MUST. Most importantly is your intention, that you have started looking into how to make games or how to program.

 

 

 

Futuregames will assess your work sample in the 3 following areas:

 

  • Visualization ability – assesses the artistical ability to express oneself through illustrations and texts.

 

  • Technical ability – assesses proficiency of utilization of the machine as tool.

 

  • Industry relevance – assesses the relevance of the presented content towards the games industry and game development.

 

 

 

 

 

Selection Process

 

If we receive more applications than we have seats, we will assess applicants by the score in their work samples and in written tests.

 

The applicants with the highest score, regardless of location, will be offered a seat to the program, and other eligible applicants will be in our wait list.

 

 

Admission Process

 

-You will receive an offer letter via our admission system in the end of June.

 

-In the acceptance letter it will be stated how many days you have to accept/decline the offer.

 

-If the school does not receive your confirmation until the set deadline, we will automatically offer your seat to the next applicant on our wait list.

 

 

Read more about the application process here

CSN

For Swedish nationals: This course is eligible for CSN. Please apply on their website at www.csn.se.

As soon as you have received your offer letter from Futuregames, you can apply for CSN. If you need extra documentation from the school, please contact your course manager.

 

The school reports to CSN regularly to verify that students are continuing their studies, as part of the agreement between CSN and each student.

Career

Careers & Employability

  • Gameplay Programmer
  • Tools Programmer
  • AI Programmer

Educational board

Each educational program has a Board of Education that ensures the quality of the education, and that makes decisions about admission and examination. The board meets twice per semester. One or more students from the class are also selected to be part of the board as representatives for the class.

The board can consist of representatives from the industry, the business community, the school management, the public school system, universities / colleges, industry organizations and students. One of the board’s main tasks is to ensure that the educational program meet the labour market’s needs for qualified workforce.

Course manager

Course manager

Thommy Holmström

Head of Education
Game Programmer

thommy.holmstrom@futuregames.nu

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