Program Description

Two-week Overnight Program
Emagination Game Design is an intensive two-week 14 day/13 night summer camp program for 15-18 year olds. The game design camp starts at mid-day on a Saturday and ends mid-day on Friday two weeks later.

The program is for teens who have a strong interest in creating video games. Students learn the video game design process as practiced in the industry today. They develop essential skills, experience teamwork, build a playable game, present to a panel of experts and visit a game design company.

Hands on Work and Personal Instruction
Daily instruction takes place in a classroom with 4-5 Instructors and up to 30 students. The program involves hands on work combined with personal instruction with an average of six participants per Instructor. The curriculum emphasizes team work as students play a role on a Development Team to build a playable game.

Learn the Skills
The program surveys game design, game programming, visual and audio design, interactive story telling and game production. Using sophisticated FPS Creator software from The Game Creators Limited and 3D Studio Max animation software from Autodesk, teens learn key technical and creative components of video game design including design and function, programming and the creation of 3D graphics, music and sound effects.

Build a Video Game
Construct the game world. Create 3D characters. Select the sound & music. Program objects & controls. Create the menus.

After learning basic skills, and under the direction of a Lead Designer/Instructor, participants join a Development Team. Team roles include Graphic Designer, Audio Artist, Level Designer, Programmer, Story Writer and Game Tester (everyone is a Game Tester!).

The team then uses a Design Document to build a playable video game. Teens put their skills and creativity to work and learn team building, time management and group dynamics----all while developing a game.

Present to Industry Experts
On the last Friday of the program, the Development Team presents its game to industry experts for review, feedback and awards.

Inside Gaming at Night
Instructors and speakers from game development companies present important topics in the game industry such as career opportunities, available university programs, game genres, the design document, play mechanics, project management, group dynamics and more.

Tour a local Video Game Design Company
Students take an exciting tour of a game development company near their local campus. They see the game development process first hand and hear about what it's like to work in the world of game design.


Electronic Arts

Blue Fang Games

Hi-Rez Studios

Seven Studios

Blue Heat Games

Nighttime LAN & Console Gaming
At night there is time for LAN and console gaming. It's gaming with a purpose! Teens discuss and debate game elements such as graphics, storyline, levels, play mechanics and scoring.

Take a Tech Break
Everyone needs a tech break! Each day includes optional time for recreation activities.

Saturday Showdown for Gamers
Saturday is for gaming and outdoor activities with your new friends.

Typical Daily Schedule
Instruction begins at 9:30 AM and runs through the end of Inside Gaming at 8:00 PM. There will be breaks for lunch, dinner and optional recreation. Gaming and open labs run from 8:00 PM until around 11:00 PM.

What do teens gain from Emagination Game Design?
A playable video game

Proficiency using sophisticated game design and 3D animation software

A foundation of both technical and creative skills

Experience working both alone and on a development team

Pre-college experience on college campuses

Exposure to top video game industry executives and experts

A valuable introduction to creating entertainment products for a rapidly growing $13
billion industry

A graduation certificate

New friendships and an unforgettable summer experience

The Rick Goodman Scholarship Program
The Emagination Foundation is pleased to offer the Rick Goodman Scholarship Program. This program was created to honor Rick's innumerable accomplishments in the video game industry as well as his contributions to the development of Emagination Game Design.

A select number of partial tuition scholarships will be granted to applicants based upon financial need and demonstrated interest in video game design and development. Students interested in applying for the scholarships may email camp@computercamps.com for application instructions.

Have questions?
Email us at camp@computercamps.com or call 877-248-0206