This course gives an introduction to some of the programmes used in producing games, with the aim of preparing the individual for entry into the industry and/or further specialisation.

Students will learn how to create game art and assets using packages such as 3ds Max and Mudbox. Sound production and editing will be included to train you to design soundscapes and effects. Basic programming will reveal the theory involved in game development.

Industry standard game engines and middleware such as Gamebryo Lightspeed (used to develop the massively popular Fallout 3) will demonstrate how technologies are combined to deliver a final product.

Course Content
•Game production techniques.
•Game analysis –understanding what’s going on under the hood, in modern 3d games.
•Learn the key elements of development in the production of a Game title.
•Game Art, Design and Programming. More info »
•Concept and pre-visualise the look of complex scenes.
•Development of 3d game Levels.
•Produce realistic game levels for first and 3rd person games.
•Character design for game development.
•3d Animation for characters and objects in a 3d environment.
•Learn camera and lighting techniques in a 3d environment.
•Sound for use in Interactive Media. More info »
•Texturing, lighting, propping and adding special effects.
•Produce a portfolio of work that will help get you into the industry.

Photoshop
•Its usage within the Production Pipeline of the games industry.
•Photoshop as a Photo manipulation tool.
•Photoshop as a Paint package, producing concept art.
•Working with layering techniques and Photoshop’s layer effects.
•Creating Tiling textures for game use.
•Painting custom textures over a 3d objects, Unwrapped Wireframe Template.
•Developing complex materials using Bump, Normal and Spec maps.
•Creating Costume Brushes, Masks, Vector paths, Interface buttons and Icons.

3d studio max
•3d Modelling of Characters, Weapons, Props, Vehicles and Environments for game development.
•Texturing and shading. From simple cartoon styles and colours to advanced photo-real bump mapped objects.
•3d Animation for characters.
•Rendering 3d scenes for multiple uses in game production.
•The uses of Lighting and Camera techniques in 3d worlds.
•Creating special effects using the toolset within max.
•Creating complex Bump and Spec textures from within 3Ds Max.
•Baking textures from High polygon 3d models onto lower poly game models.
•Importing and exporting of files from other 3d packages and art programmes.
Z-brush and/ or Mudbox
•Sculpting 3d models using methods that resemble traditional Clay Sculpting.
•The baking of Textures from the High polygon/ detailed objects to appear on much lower Poly objects in the game environment.
•Painting textures directly onto 3d models, adding bump detail where necessary.

Qualifications Gained
Fetac Level 6 In Game Analysis and Design
[See http://www.nfq.ie for details on levels]

Duration:
Attendance: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 1pm – 9pm
Wednesday: Off
Friday 10.15am – 4pm
Project and practical time is held Mon-Fri and equates to 20 Hrs per week.

This course is available as a full time and part time option.

Cost
This course costs €6,500 + €270 exam fee [2011 figure]

For more contact:
Cliodhna Pierce,
Pulse College,
67 Pleasants Place,
Dublin 8.

p :01 4784045

see http://www.pulsecollege.eu/gaming/overview