With the number of AAA game releases increasing every year, navigating the ever-growing list of must-play titles, let alone unlocking every achievement, can be overwhelming for gamers (I still have yet to start ‘Tears of the Kingdom’ for fear that it will consume my life!). For those interested in AAA game development, pursuing a game design education/game design career, or simply having an unforgettable gaming experience, there is one new game you’ll want to prioritize before the end of the year: BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
If you needed any additional incentive, this game marks the latest in our series of Vancouver Film School success stories. VFS is proud to highlight the success of 8 alumni from our Game Design and 3D Animation & Visual Effects programs who contributed to the development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard – a game already being celebrated as a critical success.
The alumni credited on the game are graduates of VFS’s Game Design program, designed to fully train students for a variety of careers in the video game industry, and 3D Animation & Visual Effects program, where students master the art of AAA game animation and effects:
- Joel Ponzio (Game Design)
- Jamieson Shearer (Game Design)
- Harel Eilam (Game Design)
- Francois Chaput (Game Design)
- Bianca Poroliseanu (Game Design)
- Dustin Williamson (Game Design)
- Malcolm Wilson (Game Design)
- Nathan Zufelt (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
8 Vancouver Film School Game Design alumni are credited on BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Released on October 31 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an action RPG developed by BioWare, known for its expertise in immersive game narrative design and published by Electronic Arts – both of whom are leaders in Canadian game development.
The fourth major game in the Dragon Age franchise, the game continues the legacy of the Dragon Age series, a franchise beloved by RPG fans worldwide. Players control a new protagonist, Rook, as they work to stop Solas from destroying the magical Veil that separates the physical world from the spirit realm: the Fade. Players navigate political and supernatural conflicts, forge alliances, and make weighty moral decisions which shapes the story and results in a variety of different endings, adding enhanced replayability.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard has already received critical acclaim, earning top ratings as one of the best AAA RPGs of 2024. With a handful of 10/10 ratings from GAMINGbible, Checkpoint Gaming, and Game Rant, the game is being hailed as an “astonishing spectacle” (Eurogamer), “a true return to RPG form” (GamesRadar), and a “game of the year contender” (CGMagazine). Keep this in mind when you’re placing your bets on next year’s Game Awards!
This is just one example of many AAA games featuring Vancouver Film School’s graduates. If you’re ready to start your game design career and enter the booming $217 billion video game industry, Press Start to begin your quest, explore our Game Design program, and take the first step towards your industry career.
FAQ
- What role did each of these alumni have in Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
- Joel Ponzio – Level Designer
- Jamieson Shearer – Senior Gameplay Designer
- Harel Eilam – Economy Game Designer
- Francois Chaput – Senior Level Designer
- Bianca Poroliseanu – Level Designer
- Dustin Williamson – Game Designer
- Malcom Wilson – Senior Level Designer
- Nathan Zufelt – Senior Animation Director
- How does VFS’s curriculum prepare students to work on AAA games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
Vancouver Film School offers an unmatched 1-year training model designed to train students for careers in AAA game development. With master instructors pulled directly from the game industry, VFS’s superior training combines extensive one-on-one mentorship from full-time instructors with current industry insights from part-time instructors actively working in the field.
The curriculum emphasizes hands-on training in industry-standard tools like Unreal Engine, Unity, Maya, and ZBrush, along with practical experience in level design, narrative development, and more. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention and meaningful networking opportunities with a vast alumni network, while the program’s regularly updated curriculum stays in lockstep with the most current industry standards.
By the time students graduate, they will have built a professional portfolio featuring a retail-ready game, showcasing their ability to contribute to high-profile, complex projects like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and giving them the skills and confidence to thrive in the booming $217 billion video game industry.
- What is the process for aspiring students to enroll in VFS’s Game Design or 3D Animation & Visual Effects programs?
Enrolling at Vancouver Film School is a straightforward process designed to help you start your creative journey as quickly as possible:
- Choose Your Program: Explore the Game Design and 3D Animation & Visual Effects program pages to learn about curriculum details, career outcomes, and start dates.
- Prepare Your Application: Gather any necessary materials, including your academic transcripts, resume, and portfolio:
- The Game Design program requires either: 1) A synopsis of a game that you are passionate about creating, OR 2) Successful completion of VFS’s Foundation Visual Art & Design preparatory program.
- The 3D Animation & Visual Effects program requires either: 1) A visual art portfolio, OR 2) Successful completion of VFS’s Foundation Visual Art & Design preparatory program.
- Apply Online: Submit your application through the VFS website. You may also schedule an appointment with a VFS Advisor to discuss your career goals and determine the best program fit for you.
- Speak with a VFS Advisor: After your application is reviewed, you will be contacted by a VFS Advisor to discuss tuition, the relocation process (if applicable), housing & living expenses (if applicable), and to ensure you’re ready for VFS’s intensive, industry-focused training.
- Accept Your Offer: Once admitted, secure your spot by accepting the offer and arranging tuition payments or financial aid.
By taking these steps, you’ll be on your way to joining an elite group of creative professionals ready to thrive in the competitive and exciting world of video game development.