Bachelor of Game Design

Get ready to join a like-minded community of passionate game enthusiasts, where every day you have the opportunity to design and develop commercially viable digital games, suitable for multiple platforms, using state of the art game engines. 

We’ve developed this degree with loads of industry input so you can rest assured we are teaching you all the professional, technical and personal skills contemporary game design studios are looking for. Our program is also one of the few that really dives deep into multi-player design education.

What To Expect

Our knowledge of the game design industry has enabled us to design a program that emulates the top professional game design studios. With our guidance and support, you’ll be equipped to step confidently into the video game industry and the career that you’ve always dreamed of. 

• Technical Instruction - Experienced knowledgeable educators
• Creative Teamwork - Teams of like-minded collaborators
• Current Knowledge - Current software, technology and insights
• Professional Skills - Embedded employability training
• Skills practice - Practical hands-on learning
• Project work - Relevant project-based assessments
• Expert feedback - Broad engagement with industry
• Industry input - Work opportunities in professional contexts

Software we'll provide

• Unreal Engine
• Maya
• ZBrush
• Houdini
• Adobe Creative Cloud

At AIT, we’re committed to helping you make magic, one project at a time. Join like-minded creatives in our industry-grade games design studios where two thirds of your Bachelor of Games Design will take place. At AIT, we understand that modern games design production is heavily reliant on technology and software. That’s why we invest heavily in the latest professional-grade animation and games design software and hardware, giving you the opportunity to fully experience, experiment, and create masterpieces using industry-standard tools.

Our studios facilities are equipped with high-end computers, and you’ll have access to state-of-the-art post-production studios, green screen rooms, audio studios, and consoles for multiplayer game testing. We have specifically designed our studios to ensure your projects are rendered to the highest industry standards, and that you have the tools you need to bring the creative process to life.

Our Cloud Campus

• At AIT, we take pride in providing quality online learning experiences for our students. That’s why all of our course materials are hosted on our cloud campus, a space specifically designed for education. The cloud campus offers access to all course content, including videos, interactive activities, discussion boards, video meetings, email facilities, library access, assessment support, study support, technical support services, and welfare services.
• We understand that choosing where to study in Australia is a big decision, which is why we welcome you to come and check out our online learning platform before you enrol. With our cloud campus, you’ll have all the tools you need to succeed in the Bachelor of Game Design at AIT. 

Professional Experiences

• While studying at AIT, you’ll be exposed to a number of professional experiences where you will learn the skills you need for your creative career, while also being introduced to the industry. On campus, your Production Lab Subjects will be heavily practical, project-based, and follow industry-relevant production processes in a studio-like environment.
• Out of these subjects, you will produce a portfolio that’s ready to present to prospective employers. In your third year, our dedicated partnerships team will connect you to internship and mentorship opportunities, whilst working with you to raise your profile within the creative technology industries.

Year 1 - Learn

3D Character Lab

• Learn the entire design and development process (3D pipeline) required to create your own uniquely designed 3D characters. The areas covered include props and background development, using industry standard 3D software, 3D interface navigation, fundamental 3D theory, character design, modelling, texturing, lighting, skinning, camera animation and rendering. These skills will provide a firm foundation for creating 3D objects and characters.

Key professional skills development:

• Project management basics
• Presentation skills
• Naming conventions and file management

Game Design Mechanics

• In this subject, you will be introduced to game theory, genre, history and context. You will research and report on the nature of the game industry and analyse the mechanics of game design. Critically review case studies on a variety of game mechanics, including games programming, with gameplay taking a leading role in discovering several classes of games, their structures and characteristics.

Key professional skills development:

• Collaboration
• Self-reflection
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking

Level Design

• Level Design is a practical subject which introduces the foundational skills and concepts required for game level design. You will learn about the principles of level design, progression and gameplay, as well as exploring the elements required to create effective environmental narratives. You will follow an industry-standard production process, and construct a high fidelity game level using pre-built assets.

Key professional skills development:

• Understanding iterative design
• Responding to a brief
• Reflecting and adapting after feedback

Game Scripting

• You will be introduced to the core concepts and fundamentals of games scripting. This will involve acquiring fundamental knowledge of game programming languages, understanding data types and how to manipulate them with functions and variables using those languages, and an understanding of scripting game logic. You will build game functionality to create games within the game engine; an essential graphics programming skill for game designers to master.

Key professional skills development:

• Problem-solving skills
• Debugging
• Professional communication
• Peer evaluation
• Iteration, and application of feedback

3D Animation Mechanics

• You will expand your existing 3D skills and extend these to animation. The principles of animation will be applied to 3D characters, props, accessories and background assets, using advanced 3D industry standard software. Fundamental animation theory and techniques will be explored and applied, so that students can create convincing body mechanics and engaging, stylised performances. 

Key professional skills development:

• Time management
• Communication skills
• Balancing workload with deliverable due dates
• Presenting work for feedback

3D Rigging

• Here you will learn what it takes to bring 3D models to life, utilising the fundamental theories and practises of animation rigging to create a skeleton for organic and hard surface models. You will apply controllers to the skeleton to create an animation-ready rig that could be used in interactive or cinematic media. 

Key professional skills development:

• Problem solving and planning skills
• Communication skills when presenting your work

Year 1 - Game Development Lab

Immersive Game Design Experience 1

• In the Game Development Lab you will design a range of 3D assets and integrate them into a game engine. The project will be planned and implemented in response to a brief and will involve identifying game development team roles and 3D sculpting of models using industry standard 3D modelling software.
• Models will be textured, then undergo optimisation and retopology to ensure their effective operation in a game engine environment, where introductory level game engine programming will be applied. You will utilise a production cycle, modifying assets through multiple iterations in response to testing and peer review. Ethical considerations will be taken into account and applied to the design of game assets.

Key professional skills development:

• Collaboration
• Planning
• Project management
• Agile methodology
• Presentation and professional communication skills
• Responding to feedback
• Student work by Phillip Lim

Year 2 - Explore

Sound Design

• Our Sound Design subject will introduce you to both the creative and technical aspects of sound in digital media. You’ll learn how to record, process, and implement a variety of sounds in different contexts, as well as how to apply sound design principles to enhance communication, meaning, and emotion in your work. These skills can be applied across film, animation, and game design, enabling you to create dynamic and engaging soundtracks in any genre.
• Our course content includes a wide range of sound editing tools, techniques, and musical scores, as well as location recording procedures, sound processing and noise reduction, compression and reverberation, and sound production workflow. Throughout the subject, you’ll be required to reflect on your work and make improvements based on feedback, helping you to develop your skills and grow as a sound designer.
• By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge and practical experience you need to create high-quality soundtracks for a range of digital media projects.

Key professional skills development:

• Teamwork and time management
• Copyright and legal considerations and critical listening skills

3D Asset Development

• You will develop advanced techniques and practical skills in 3D asset creation for games programming, building on previous learning in the process of 3D sculpting to create high-quality details and contours in objects and characters. Advanced polygon optimisation techniques will be explored for games.
• Advanced 3D modelling, rigging and surfacing skills will be developed and refined to create more sophisticated assets, which will be implemented in real-time. Skills in photogrammetry will also be explored as real-life objects are converted to 3D models ready for implementation in games.
• On completion of this subject, you will have produced portfolio pieces consisting of complex 3D game models that demonstrate the confidence and competence industry professionals use in their workflows.

Key professional skills development:

• Commercial drawing
• Providing and responding to feedback
• Peer review
• Research
• Following a brief

Console Game Development

• Acquire skills in developing games for use in consoles. This will involve learning scripting techniques, artificial intelligence, games programming for controllers, optimisation, and console development. This subject raises your skill level in the audio-visual development of game elements, as you successfully complete a full production cycle.

Key professional skills development:

• Responding to a brief
• Project management
• Planning and time management skills
• Testing and feedback
• Iterative improvement skills

Multiplayer Game Development

• In this subject, you will work on multiplayer game technologies to enable interaction in real time between players. Working within a game engine, you will learn about areas concerned with networking, interpolation and synchronisation.
• Server side and client side logic will be explored, and the types of multiplayer games will be examined as the design elements of cooperative and competitive game structures are considered. You will need to consider ethical issues, reflect on and respond to feedback and peer review of your work.

Key professional skills development:

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Problem solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills

Technical Art

• Learn to become a game designer by acquiring advanced design skills in a game engine environment. Fine control of visual elements will be covered, enabling the creation of complex organic forms such as hair and fur, rippling water, cloth and foliage, creating advanced shaders and scripting VFX.
• Particle effects will be explored to enable the creation of objects such as smoke, rain and fire, and may include photogrammetry to capture real world objects in digital 3D form.

Key professional skills development:

• Problem solving skills
• Managing a project
• Integrating complex technical processes into a game design pipeline

Culture and Creativity

• The interface between creative arts and culture will be examined in this subject, as theories of genre, communication, cultural reference and semiotics are applied to a selection of prominent examples taken from historical and contemporary sources.
• Explore the theoretical underpinning of creative arts practice and critique works through the lens of a range of theoretical perspectives. Social, political and ideological considerations will be discussed and applied to case studies in a variety of forms including film, animation, games and social media. You will look at audience behaviours and demographics, and explore examples of significant directors, designers, artists and art movements.

Key professional skills development:

• Academic writing skills
• Engaging in meaningful discussion of contemporary art and media
• Using critical thinking skills to present
• Debate and argue positions regarding social analysis and ideology

Year 2 - Cinematic Animation Lab
Immersive Game Design Experience 2

• Let us guide you through the advanced implementation of game art in a game engine, including pre-built assets, facial animation, facial rigging, motion capture, voice recording and animation for cut scenes. You will develop pre-production elements such as staging, beats and layout.
• A cinematics sequencer track will be implemented, and you will learn to post-produce your games by refining sound, lighting, colour correction and general editing and clean-up of cinematic game elements. This process will involve iterative development, consultation and responding to feedback.. 

Key professional skills development:

• Teamwork
• Collaboration
• Problem solving
• Critical analysis
• Project management skills
• Student work by Leon Ren

Year 3 - Launch
Professional Freelancing

• Freelancing has become one of the major forms of employment in the areas of media and game design. Professional Freelancing will provide valuable information on how to manage as an independent entrepreneur in the creative industries.
• The focus will be on legal requirements, finance and monetisation, types of business models, documentation and admin, budgeting, pitching and promotional skills. Examples of successful freelance game designer industry professionals will be examined, and you will research industry and analyse your findings to identify likely areas of opportunity within your field.

Key professional skills development:

• Networking
• Professional communication
• Planning and presentation skills

Emerging Insights

• We immerse you in the future of the creative media industry during the Emerging Insights subject. You will research and report on new and emerging technologies, their potential applications and benefits, and how they could change the nature of the media or games industries.
• Investigate contemporary theories and processes and consider how they may shape the next generation. You will get to trial new and current technologies and predict future trends and direction, which will assist you in planning your future creative and career directions in media and games.

Key professional skills development:

• Maintaining knowledge currency
• Product analysis
• Industry networking
• Professional communication
• Presentation and reporting

Year 3 - Virtual Production Lab
Immersive Animation Experience 3

• The emerging field of virtual production enables realistic combinations of objects, characters and environments to produce composite images. In this subject virtual production technologies and techniques will be studied in detail as you blend virtual environments with live action images.
• The subject will cover virtual environments, virtual props and assets, background projections using green screen or live projection, integration of live action images with virtual elements through camera tracking, matching sound, lighting and colour.
• Facial motion capture and the use of digital doubles using 3D modelling and animation will be introduced, and the animation and surfacing of 3D creatures and other assets will be enhanced by incorporating particle effects such as explosions, fire, smoke and rain.
• Advanced game engine functions will be used to composite image elements and animate components to produce realistic virtual multilevel images.

Key professional skills development:  

• Creative thinking
• Problem solving skills
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Self-reflection and response to feedback
• Student work by Koda Landers