Graduate Certificate in Game Design and Simulation
DURATION
4 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
CAD 17,143 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for more information about tuition fees, please contact the College.
Introduction
The field of game design and simulation brings worlds to life digitally by creating re-playable scenarios and combining creative, technical and artistic skills to produce interactive environments for players. Game designers support the creation of unique gaming environments that combine levels, characters, assets, props, and systems for a variety of platforms, including computer, console, mobile and wearable devices.
In the Game – Design and Simulation program, students learn how to take a game idea or simulation concept to create compelling experiences as they develop narratives, create and manage 2D and 3D digital assets, and apply the concepts of lighting, animation, cinematography, sound design, and rendering.
Students gain experience with design and simulation tools and techniques that utilize the latest generation of game engines and apply principles of game mechanics and dynamics. This experience can be applied to develop simulations for various industries, such as architecture, engineering, health care, manufacturing, and education and training.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the college website for more information.
Curriculum
Semester 1
- Game Programming 1
- Game Art
- Game Design 1
- Narrative Design and Digital Storytelling
- Mathematics and Physics for Game Design
- Project Management for Game Design
Communications Course
- Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
Semester 2
- Game Programming 2
- Game Engines
- Game Texturing and Modelling
- World and Interface Design
- Game Animation and Motion
- Game Publishing
Communications Course
- Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
Semester 3
- Game Programming 3
- Game Design 2
- Lighting and Rendering for Games
- Game Design Portfolio 1
- Game Sound Design
- World and Level Building
General Education Course
- Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.
Semester 4
- Interactive Simulation Programming
- Game Artificial Intelligence
- Game Production
- Game Design Portfolio 2
- Mobile Game Design
General Education Course
- Select 2 courses from the general education list during registration.
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Identify the differences in game genres to develop games that meet the needs of specific markets;
- Situate emerging trends within a historical context of games and interactive media to adapt relevant concepts, vocabulary and frames of reference;
- Identify and relate concepts from a range of industry roles, including programming, design and art to support the development of games;
- Contribute as an individual and a member of a game development team to the effective completion of a game development project;
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the games industry;
- Perform all work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations, legislation, industry standards and codes of ethics;
Use game concepts to support the ongoing iteration, creation, design and development of games; - Apply game design elements to support the ongoing iteration and creation of unique gaming environments, levels, characters, assets and props;
- Support the development of evolving and iterative game design documents that align with standard industry expectations and/or company practices;
- Conceive, prototype, develop, test and evaluate procedures for the ongoing iteration, creation, design and development of games;
- Contribute to world-building and level design in a game engine;
- Create video game and simulation environments that embrace equity and diversity to be inclusive of all audience members;
- Apply entrepreneurial principles to identify and respond to new opportunities in video game and simulation development environments;
- Utilize game design concepts and techniques to create virtual simulations that emulate real-world situations and/or environments that are either hazardous or cost-prohibitive;
- Create immersive environments using extended reality technologies in the development of game and simulation applications.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program can apply a variety of game design concepts to support the design and development of games. Graduates contribute to the overall game development process by supporting the creation of comprehensive game design documents, developing and executing iterative design procedures, and contributing to world-building and level design in a game or simulation. There is a strong demand for both video game and simulation world-building, and graduates can enter into a variety of different career opportunities within this field.