Game Programming Media Design School

Overview

The Game Programming programme at Media Design School provides students with the technical expertise required to engineer complex digital environments. This degree focuses on the intersection of software engineering and interactive entertainment, ensuring graduates are prepared for the global gaming industry.

Students engage in a collaborative learning environment that mirrors professional studio settings. By working alongside game artists, you will learn to breathe life into unimagined worlds through advanced coding and systems design. The curriculum emphasises not only technical mastery of tools but also the essential communication skills needed to thrive within a development team.

The teaching style is deeply rooted in practical application, allowing you to build a comprehensive portfolio of work.

Why Game Programming at Media Design School?

Media Design School is recognised as a leading institution for game development, maintaining strong alliances with major industry players such as Rocketwerkz, Pik-Pok, and Outerdawn. These partnerships provide students with insights into the professional landscape and enhance their employability upon graduation.

The school offers state-of-the-art facilities and a studio-based environment that simulates the realities of the gaming sector. Students benefit from the expertise of a faculty comprised of industry veterans and researchers. The programme is distinguished by its focus on high-level languages like C++ and its integration with PlayStation development platforms.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: NZD 34550 per year
• National fee: NZD 12300 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Year 1

• Software Engineering for Games
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• 2D Game Programming
• 3D Graphics Programming
• Game Studies I
• Maths 1
• Mathematics for Graphical Games
• Game Design Principles
• Gameplay Programming

Year 2

• Artificial Intelligence
• Software Engineering for Games
• Physics Programming
• Technology Leverage for Games
• Advanced Graphical Games Programming
• Software Engineering Principles and Practices
• Software Engineering for Mobile Platforms
• People and Games
• Rapid Game Prototype

Year 3

• Game Engine Development
• Software Engineering Capstone Project
• Software Engineering Game Development Capstone Project
• Preproduction
• Game Development Team Production Alpha
• Game Development Team Production Gold
• Professional Practice

Careers with Game Programming

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles within the international technology and entertainment sectors. Common career paths include becoming a Gameplay Programmer, where the focus is on character controls and interaction mechanics, or an AI Programmer, developing decision-making algorithms for non-player characters.

Other opportunities exist as a Tools or Engine Programmer, creating the foundational software that supports the entire development pipeline. Alumni from this programme have secured positions at prestigious organisations including Game Loft, Grinding Gear Games, Mytona, and PlaySide Studios.