Do you like games and have an aptitude for tech stuff? You might be just right for a career in game development. Game development is one of the hottest careers today, and some of the best game development bootcamps in 2022 are ready to get you trained up in a hurry.
Knowing the best game development bootcamps out there gives you a head start. When you know which game development bootcamp is right for you, your training experience simplifies. You can focus on learning skills and finding a great new career.
This guide will help you get all the information you need to have a quality educational experience and start your game design career. We look at the top online game development bootcamp options.
These bootcamps can give you outstanding game coding chops. The best part is that you aren’t required to commute or spend time in a classroom. You’ll also get an overview of the most promising brick-and-mortar game programming bootcamps.
What Is a Gaming Bootcamp?
Similar to a typical coding bootcamp, a gaming bootcamp, or game design bootcamp, is an intensive educational experience designed to prepare you for a specific career. In the case of a game design bootcamp, you will be training for a career in game design.
Many video game designers today have studied in a game design bootcamp. While these are still considered fairly new education options, they have proven time and time again to provide excellent training.
In a gaming bootcamp, you can expect to learn all the coding skills and technical skills needed to excel as a video game designer. You will learn the most up-to-date game concepts, study popular game engines, and learn the fundamentals of video game design.
If you do your research, you may find a coding bootcamp that offers career assistance or a job guarantee. This means you will most definitely find a job as a junior game developer, or something similar, within a few weeks or months of graduating.
Ready to look into some great game design programs and break into the field of game design? Keep reading to see all of the best online and in-person game design bootcamps of 2022!
Online Game Development Bootcamps in 2022
Who doesn’t appreciate convenience? Not this guy, that’s for sure. And nothing’s more convenient than getting training without having to get our butts out of our home office chairs. That’s why you should consider a game design bootcamp you can attend online.
There are lots of online courses in game art and development for prospective game developers. You can find fantastic sites to teach you game coding . There are equally excellent online game design bootcamps that will get you a top-notch game development education.
1. The Make School
The Make School is a great gaming bootcamp for folks who want an online gaming education. It’s based in San Francisco and has brick-and-mortar options for local students. You can also enroll in online courses and get your gaming education while living anywhere in the world.
2. KeepCoding
Another fantastic online game development bootcamp option is KeepCoding. This Madrid-based school has excellent online course offerings and will give a thorough education. At this gaming bootcamp, you can learn all about game art development for mobile application games.
3. General Assembly
General Assembly allows students to attend its game design bootcamp in-person and online. During the program, students learn how to create 3D game graphics, rig models, and write scripts. You can learn more about this excellent opportunity by visiting the General Assembly site and seeing when classes are scheduled.
4. Vertex School
Vertex School, formerly Game Art Institute, offers a 12-week online course for part-time students. Throughout the program, students learn how to create game art. There are also courses in virtual reality, which is a growing field in game design. This program helps students start their careers in gaming and virtual reality development by teaching them essential skills.
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In-Person Game Development Bootcamps
Online courses and websites are a great way to start your game coding education. But maybe you learn better in one-on-one, FaceTime situations. If your preferred learning mode is with an in-person instructor and via direct interaction, you might prefer a brick-and-mortar game development coding course over the online bootcamps. Never fear: there are lots of excellent selections out there for hopeful game developers.
1. DaVinci Coders
DaVinci Coders offers an 11-week program that teaches students how to design and develop games. Students learn by using the Unity game engine and the C# programming language. Throughout the program, students learn to create on iPhone, Android, and PC.
2. 42
One of the most interesting and promising options for prospective game programmers is 42 . This video game bootcamp operates out of Silicon Valley and Paris. 42 offers free courses at both locations. The school focuses on developing teamwork and instilling the proper coding philosophies.
3. Playcrafting
You might also enjoy checking out Playcrafting. It has campuses in New York, Boston, and D.C. At Playcrafting, you’ll engage in intense, eight-week courses to learn game development principles. They’re an ideal choice for the serious game coder.
4. Eleven Fifty Academy
If you want a crash course in game development, then Eleven Fifty Academy may be right for you. This game design bootcamp offers a program that is a two-day introduction to the Unity engine. It teaches you the essentials of the program and how to design. Unlike other bootcamps, this academy program requires students to have a basic understanding of C# programming.
How to Finance a Game Design Bootcamp
If you are seriously considering attending a gaming bootcamp, you are likely wondering what your financing options are. Sure, it’s easy to tell yourself all the 3D modeling, digital animation, and digital design skills you’ll learn are worth the cost, but what even is the cost?
All game design programs are different, but the average cost of a coding bootcamp or game design bootcamp is $11,727. The most expensive bootcamps rarely exceed $20,000, but that is still a big chunk of cash. So, how can you pay for it?
Most gaming bootcamps offer multiple financing options. The most common are:
- Income share agreements (ISA)
- Private loans
- Deferred tuition plans
- Monthly installments
- Scholarships
With an ISA, you sign an agreement to either pay a small deposit upfront or nothing at all and pay back your tuition once you graduate and find your dream job. Usually, schools require your job to have a certain annual salary, typically $40,000 or more. You’ll pay an agreed-upon percentage of your salary until your tuition has been covered.
Another popular financing option is a deferred tuition plan. This is similar to an ISA in that you pay a deposit upfront and nothing else until you graduate. Unlike most ISAs, with a deferred tuition plan, the amount that needs to be repaid is fixed.
Private loans are, quite simply, loans you take out on your own to cover tuition costs. There are a few loan providers which are known to partner with bootcamps to make the process easier. These often offer lower interest rates too.
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Monthly installments are exactly that: monthly payments you make until your tuition has been paid. These typically start when your classes begin. Finally, scholarships are available for game design bootcamps just like they are for college degrees. Look into your preferred bootcamp’s options before you apply.
Should You Attend a Game Development Bootcamp?
Game development is a constantly growing industry that allows you to explore your creative side in a variety of ways. Some developers create game art while others do complex programming. Through game development, you can tell intricate stories and design experiences that are like no other.
As a career, game developers enjoy a lucrative income. According to the BLS, the median salary for multimedia artists and animators is $77,700. Having a high average salary is just one aspect of game design to consider for a career.
Upon graduating from game development bootcamp, you can work your dream job in a studio or even create your own independent game. Today, with platforms such as Steam and smartphone marketplaces, it’s possible for millions of people to discover your creation.
Finding the Best Game Development Bootcamp
If you have an interest in video games, a game development bootcamp is right for you. The gaming industry is steadily growing and many people are finding long-lasting careers in it. After taking the right game development courses, you too can create incredible games.
The benefits of game development bootcamps are numerous. Not only do you learn how to create games, but you also gain real-world skills. For example, the programming knowledge you learn could be applied to web development.
Many game design bootcamps also allow you to learn under industry professionals, so you get first-hand knowledge of what the industry expects of you.
Don’t choose a job when you can find a career in a field you enjoy. Check out these game development bootcamps and get started in your new career today.
Game Development Bootcamp FAQ
Yes, game development bootcamps teach you the essentials of game design. You’ll be fully prepared for a career upon completing the program.
Yes, even if you have no prior experience or knowledge with game design, a bootcamp still teaches you everything you need to have a career in the field.
The average coding costs $11,727. Many bootcamps are significantly cheaper than a game development degree program. Most bootcamps also offer some form of financial aid or income share agreement.
While a job isn’t guaranteed, many game development bootcamps help students find a job through career services. Some bootcamps even offer tuition reimbursement if students cannot find a job after graduating from the program.
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