Game Design

Experience the entire game development cycle and develop specialized skills in coding, game art, and level design at the best game design program in Canada.

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Creative Economy

VFS’s signature programs and facilities are at the heart of a creative economy worth $3.4 billion in B.C. alone. From film production and 3D animation to game, digital, and VR/AR design, VFS is helping shape the entertainment and media industries’ transformation. In 2024, VFS alumni were credited on 8 of the top 10 bestselling games. 

The VFS Advantage

The future belongs to creative thinkers who practice hands-on and collaborate in production environments – while also learning & embracing the rapidly-developing technologies used by the industry and changing how productions work.

PRODUCTION FACILITIES MATCHING INDUSTRY:

Go beyond computer labs and classrooms. VFS’s Production Centre gets you creating & collaborating in a real studio environment from day one, working with industry-level tools in pro-grade spaces: motion capture volume, exclusive partnerships with Epic Games/Unreal Engine, Unity, and ASUS, & more.

MUCH GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CROSS-PROGRAM COLLABORATION:

Many schools offer only one program/discipline. At VFS, you’ll create alongside students from our Programming and Sound Design programs – giving you the full scope of a game development pipeline.

UNMATCHED INDUSTRY INTEGRATION:

We define ourselves as being the school that industry comes to first. VFS works directly with the industry to ensure students are training to current, real-world standards from day one. Our curriculum and Production Centre are shaped by active industry practices, workflows, and expectations. Through partnerships with the world’s leading companies, students gain meaningful exposure to professional pipelines and environments.

INDUSTRY PARTNERS / EMPLOYERS:
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A VFS Game Design Education

In 12 months you will graduate with:

  • A Game Design diploma 
  • A professional quality online portfolio for game designers
  • Access to the VFS Alumni Directory & Job Board
  • A lifetime network of industry connections that will help guide your career 

VFS's Production-Based Model

VFS’s 12-month diploma programs have always centered around immersing you in production, for a hands-on experience that closely reflects real industry environments and workflows. For flexibility, we have added options that allow you to select different delivery models – either fully in-person over 12 months or an online/on-campus hybrid experience.

PRODUCTION FUNDAMENTALS

Learn fundamental skills in game design and development as you explore design, technology, and art in the world of games.

Term: 1

CORE SKILLS

Expand on the skills learned in Stage 1, choose your specialization (Level Design, Programming, or 3D Game Art), and use these skills to build the first of your team-created portfolio games.

Terms: 2-4

GAME PRODUCTION CENTRE

Through mentorship by veteran game professionals, create a retail-quality game for your portfolio in VFS’s cutting-edge production studio. Then, debut the final product at Pitch + Play – VFS’s official game industry showcase.

Terms: 5-6

On-Campus Delivery

Our 1-year, fully in-person program remains unchanged. This is the same production-based experience, preparing you for the industry’s current practices and technologies.

 

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DURATION:
On-Campus: 1 year

YOU’LL GRADUATE WITH:
A powerful, multi-piece production portfolio that you can use for job applications to studios worldwide.

AFTER GRADUATION:
With your team-based, retail-ready game serving as the signature piece of your portfolio, apply for junior positions (i.e., level designer, QA analyst, technical designer) at major studios in North America and beyond.

A synopsis of a game that you are passionate about creating:

  • Explain the concept, vision, or idea. Include the genre of game you would utilize. Make references to other games to explain how you would make your game (one page maximum).
  • In addition, provide an outline detailing your story, possible levels, and characters (one page maximum).
  • Provide diagrams explaining any features or game mechanics (one to two pages maximum) and a simplified map of the game world described in your synopsis.

 

Intermediate computer skills are a requirement, including the ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel.

  • 32,950 CAD (DOMESTIC)
  • 50,000 CAD (INT’L)

Hybrid Delivery

 

Vancouver Film School’s Game Design program is best experienced in its 1-year, accelerated and on-campus model. However, in our commitment to meeting the fast-changing needs of the industry, VFS is introducing a new Hybrid Model that will allow game developers of various backgrounds and skill levels to access our program through a combination of online and on-campus learning.

This is VFS’s signature, hands-on training – delivered differently.

Not sure if game design is the career for you? Test the waters with Stage 1: Production Fundamentals to see if this career path is right for you. Then, continue on to Stage 2 and Stage 3 to craft a powerful production portfolio. Completion of Stage 1 only earns you a certificate of completion, while students who complete all three stages receive their VFS diploma, for the best preparation possible for the fast-changing industry of today and tomorrow.

 

 

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TERM: 1

DURATION:
Online: 3 months

YOU’LL COMPLETE WITH:
A foundational skill set in game design & development and the prerequisites to continue into Stage 2

AFTER YOU COMPLETE:

  • Continue into Stage 2 for further training/production experience
  • A synopsis of a game you are passionate about creating (including concept/vision, story, characters, game mechanics, levels, and simplified map etc.), OR
  • Completion of VFS’s Foundation Visual Art & Design program

ONLINE

  • $3,500 CAD (DOMESTIC)
  • $4,500 CAD (INT’L)

ON-CAMPUS

  • $5,491 CAD (DOMESTIC)
  • $8,330 CAD (INT’L)
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Term: 2-4

DURATION:
On-Campus: 6 months

YOU’LL COMPLETE WITH:
A polished first game that will serve as the first piece of your career portfolio

AFTER YOU COMPLETE:

  • Continue onto Stage 3 for further training/production experience
  • Completion of Stage 1
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Term: 5-6

DURATION:
On-Campus: 4 months
OR
Online: 4 months

YOU’LL GRADUATE WITH:
With your retail-ready game serving as the signature piece of your portfolio, apply for junior roles at major game studios in North America and globally

AFTER GRADUATION:
With your team-based, retail-ready game serving as the signature piece of your portfolio, apply for junior positions (i.e., level designer, QA analyst, technical designer) at major studios in North America and beyond.

  • Completion of Stage 2 OR
  • A certificate/diploma in game design from an accredited school/program
To find out more, speak to an advisor   Contact

Program Overview

 

Term 01

Establish fundamental skills in game design theory and practice, pre-production techniques, and storytelling.

Term 02

Build on your game design foundation and start to work effectively in teams. Create your own playable 2D game in Unity.

Term 03

Shift from theoretical to practical with hands-on work on detailed design documentation and front-end interfaces, and begin specializing in coding, game art or level design.

Term 04

The core part of this term is dedicated to project-based game development, designing and planning a major final project in teams.

Term 05

Conceive, plan, and execute a final project that delivers a rewarding interactive experience.

Term 06

Engage with ongoing play-testing and complete your final project before unveiling your work to the industry.

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Admissions Info

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Requirements

You will be asked to submit one of the following along with your application. Your advisor can help with selecting the best option.

Explain the concept, vision, or idea. Include the genre of game you would utilize. Make references to other games to explain how you would make your game (one page maximum).

In addition, provide an outline detailing your story, possible levels, and characters (one page maximum).
Provide diagrams explaining any features or game mechanics (one to two pages maximum) and a simplified map of the game world described in your synopsis.

You'll find information on how to send your synopsis in the application form, or you can ask your Advisor.

*Intermediate computer skills are a requirement, including the ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel.

When you talk to your Advisor, let them know that you've completed the Foundation program and they will put a copy of your diploma in your file for you.*

*Intermediate computer skills are a requirement, including the ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel.

For more about language requirements and other information for international students, visit the International Students page.

Student Work

While training in VFS’s industry-focused game design program, students are immersed in the game industry and spend a lot of hands-on time creating professional-quality work. Nothing is a greater testament to the incomparable industry resources and career preparation that define VFS’s education model, than the top quality work our students produce. Here, a portfolio of outstanding work is just the beginning. Just take a look. 

Play a video showcasing the Game Design program student work.
Pause video showcase of the Game Design program student work.

Mach X

 

Created by Jorge Peral

Open Game Design student work info. Close Game Design student work info.
Play a video of a VFS student project from our Game Design Program.
Pause video of VFS student project from our Game Design Program.

Unincrediball

 

Created by Salim Ali

Open Game Design student work info. Close Game Design student work info.
View student work from Vancouver Film School's Game Design Program.
Pause showcase reel of VFS Game Design student work.

Bijou and Big

 

Created by Noah Vejvoda

Open Game Design student work info. Close Game Design student work info.
Play our students’ games (no coins needed!)
 

Visit our official page on Steam and the VFS Indie Arcade to download and play (for free!) more than 200 games developed by VFS students over the past decade.

 

Steam

VFS Arcade

 

 

 

VFS Indie Arcade

Pitch + Play

Present a short version of your final reel, and a short speech to introduce yourself to industry professionals, before talking with them in an informal setting.

Campus Life

The VFS Game Design campus looks and feels just like the professional game developer studios you'll find throughout downtown Vancouver. Surrounded by some of the city's best cafes, restaurants, and cultural attractions, you'll have all the resources you need at your fingertips: a massive game library, arcades, screening theatres, and your own dedicated workspace.

Program FAQs

We're here to help you submit an application that best reflects your abilities, and gives you the best chance of being accepted. We've helped thousands of people complete a single year at VFS by answering questions like these:

Application Tips

  • What does VFS look for in an application?
  • Can I apply if I haven't met all the requirements yet?
  • What does this part of the application form mean?

Expenses

  • How much does my program cost?
  • Can I pay in installments?
  • How much will I need for living expenses in Vancouver?

Logistics

  • How do I get to Vancouver?
  • Where will I live in Vancouver?
  • Do I need a visa?
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Testimonials

Blackbird Interactive was built by Vancouver Film School. For our very first title, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, several of our original hires joined us as students fresh from VFS. These students were also led by graduates of VFS’s very first Game Design class who at that point had almost a dozen years of experience. In the years since, some of our best and brightest have emerged from VFS – programmers, designers, creatives of all types. They've lead projects at BBI, working on the Homeworld and Minecraft franchises and directing original games like Hardspace: Shipbreaker. Blackbird's creative DNA is intimately interwoven with VFS. We simply wouldn't be the same studio without it.

Rory McGuire

President of Blackbird Interactive

I cannot recommend the Game Design program enough! I came into GD with zero experience: Term 1 me would be unable to understand how I got to where I am now. The course builds your foundations from the ground up, giving you not only skills, but a new network of passionate and hard working people who share your love. If you want to enter the industry but don't know how, this is the place to learn what you need. It completely changed my life for the better.

Rhys Hughes

Game Design Graduate

Game Designer at Matrix Labs

This isn't just a school, it's an experience of a lifetime. It’s one of the most challenging things that you may accomplish, but also the most rewarding. It required a lot of work, but this school will set you on the right path to do amazing things with your career, meet amazing new friends, and learn about your passion. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking to get their foot in the door to the creative industry.

Nic Seymour

Game Design Graduate

Level Designer at Pearl Abyss

Going to the game design program at this school was probably the best decision I've made up to this point in my life. Every instructor, TA, and mentor you get to work with genuinely cares about the students and goes above and beyond to help the students. Thanks to the incredible education and connections given to me by the school, I was able to go from here straight to working professionally in the games industry.

Matt Garnett

Game Design Graduate

Game Designer at Unity

I highly recommend VFS for anyone who is passionate about the arts! The instructors are extremely helpful and their passion shows in how they teach the material. The course curriculum is structured in a way that very closely matches the industry, making a huge difference when preparing you for the real world!

Nick Mandic

Game Design Graduate

Associate Producer QA at Navigator Games Ltd
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