• Open to grades 9-12
• No Prerequisites
• Formerly titled Introduction to Game Design

From Player to Creator, Unleash Imagination!  Students explore what makes games engaging by studying core elements like rules, play, and player experience. Through hands-on activities and analysis, they learn how culture, storytelling, and mechanics shape game design. The course introduces foundational design thinking, collaboration, and critique skills, preparing students for advanced game development courses in the pathway.

• Beginning 26-27 School Year
• Open to grades 9-12
• Prerequisite: Intro to Games

Idea to Impact: Bring Game Concepts to Life!  Students dive into the creative side of game development by crafting design documents, storyboards, characters, and early concepts. The course emphasizes strong communication, critique, and portfolio-building—transitioning students from players to designers. With growing demand for narrative and concept roles across indie and studio settings, this course aligns with the Visual and Digital Arts pathway and career-connected learning. Students develop foundational skills in documentation, storytelling, and collaboration, completing artifacts such as a Game Design Document and world concepts.

Efficiently and effectively get the right things done! 

• Beginning 26-27 School Year
• Open to grades 9-12
• Prerequisite: Intro to Games
• Formerly titled Advanced Game Design

 Build the Experience, Sculpt your World!  Students bring their game ideas to life by designing interactive worlds, systems, and gameplay mechanics. Using Unreal Engine, they learn the principles of level design, environment creation, and player interaction. The course emphasizes prototyping, iteration, and technical artistry, bridging creative vision with real-time tools to prepare students for production-focused projects in Game Studio.

• Beginning 26-27 School Year
• Open to grades 9-12
• Prerequisite: Intro to Games

Design beyond games; for real-world experiences!  This course introduces Unreal Engine as a creative tool used beyond games—in fashion, virtual production, advertising, and animation. Using Epic’s Unreal Futures curriculum, students build both technical and storytelling skills through project-based learning. With over 60% of studios in virtual production using Unreal, this course gives students hands-on experience with real-time 3D tools shaping modern media. Students complete industry-aligned portfolio pieces and gain insight into emerging immersive media careers.

• Beginning 27-28 School Year
• Open to grades 9-12
• Prerequisite: Either Games Art and Concept Design OR Games World and Mechanics

Design beyond games; for real-world experiences!  Students experience a semester of pre-production focused on pitching and prototyping original game ideas. They design characters, mechanics, and systems while refining concepts through feedback and iteration. Emphasizing professional documentation and pitch materials, the course mirrors indie studio workflows and prepares students for the production phase in Game Studio 2.

• Beginning 27-28 School Year
• Open to grades 9-12
• Prerequisite: Game Studio I: Design and Pitch

Design beyond games; for real-world experiences! In this production-focused capstone, students turn Game Studio 1 concepts into playable demos using Unreal Engine. Working in teams, they integrate art, sound, UI, and narrative while engaging in testing and iteration. Students also create trailers, branding, and publishing materials simulating an indie release cycle. Game Studio 2 builds portfolio-ready projects and real-world experience, preparing students for advanced study or creative technology careers.