Game Development Summer Camp

Rasmussen Center (2800 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50316)

Monday, June 22 - Friday, June 26

8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. each day

Join other aspiring junior developers for a week of game development excitement. Students will learn about game development by backwards engineering familiar games; learning industry standard tools and techniques to help them design their own creations in the process.

The week will culminate in a game-jam where students will work together to design their own games. Level up your portfolio by taking home your own playable video game that you designed from scratch.

No prior experience required, just bring your love for games and your desire to learn!

Topics covered:

  • visual scripting
  • programming
  • art creation
  • user interface
  • concept design
  • worldbuilding
  • audio
  • storytelling

Daily Schedule:

Day 1: 2D Side-scroller prototype
Introduction to Unity, 2D art pipeline, audio, user interface, and click based controls.

Day 2: Top-down adventure prototype
Procedurally generated content, designing agents for enemy AI, camera systems, and 2D player control systems.

Day 3: 3D Platformer prototype
Pathfinding, 3D controls, cameras, and environments. Introduction to 3D assets.

Day 4: Game Jam Day 1

Day 5: Game Jam Day 2
Open House from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Invite your family and friends!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this camp for?
High school students grade 9-12 who are interested in art, programming, storytelling, gameplay design, or a general desire to learn more about how games are made should consider joining us.
When is the camp?

Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26 from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. each day.

Open House: Friday, June 26 from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. At the end of the last day of the camp, invite your family and friends to play your game and share the experience together.
What is the price for registration?
$275
What will I take home with me at the end of the camp?
Each student will receive a T-shirt, and playable builds of their games available for PC, Mac, Android, or iOS. Additionally, all project files and learning materials used during the camp will be made available to the student to download via a link provided at the end of the camp.
Do I need a computer or other equipment?
Students will have access to our Mac based computer labs for the duration of the camp. No other equipment is required. Students may bring their own laptop, tablet, or headphones if desired.
Who is hosting the camp?
The Grand View University Art Department
Who can I contact with questions?
Please contact Matt Slaymaker at mslaymaker @ grandview.edu for more information.
What software will we be learning?
Students will use industry standard software such as the Unity Engine for game development, Blender for 3D asset creation, and the Adobe Creative Suite for 2D art creation.
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