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PSQ Game Design students discussing Game attributes at school.

Game Designer

Shape the Gameplay experience

Game designers create the rules, challenges and events in games – the gameplay experience. 

The game design discipline will teach you how to kick start your game ideas: methods and models to help spark creativity and create gameplay.

What do you need to be a game designer? You will start with the basics of game design such as prototyping your game ideas and communicating vision, and move on to more advanced ways to create interesting game worlds, maintaining balance, and implementing innovative game mechanics.

Moa Cristvall, PSQ Game Design student, 2020.

Moa Cristvall, Game Design student | 2020

"Studying at PSQ has truly been developing. I am forever grateful for my time here during the Game Design education and I have learned a lot in two years. Believe in yourself and do not be afraid to apply regardless of your background. With your own will and with the support of the other students and teachers you will quickly feel at home! "
  • When is the last day to apply?
    It's usually in mid-May, but it varies each year. Make sure to keep yourself updated through our website or via our Facebook and Instagram.
  • Can I apply even though I haven't got my High School Degree Certificate?
    Yes you can. The applications closes on May 7th but you can add information to your application to June 12.
  • Which work samples do you want?
    Read here. The work samples can be done in English or Swedish - it's up to you to decide.
  • don't have full grades, can I still apply?
    Yes. You can be accepted at PlaygroundSquad based on only your work samples. This means that if we see that you have big potential in the gaming industry we can ignore the fact that you don't have the grades.
  • How do I apply?
    Write to us if you don't understand or speak Swedish and want to apply. We accept international students but the application site is managed by a third party company which don't support English yet.
  • Can I visit the school before applying?
    Sure! Write to us and we'll figure something out.
  • Is there a fee for international students?
    If you're a EU resident the education wont cost you a penny. If you live outside the EU, the cost is 40 thousand SEK per year. Your right to Swedish student finance Read about your right to student finance if you want to study in Sweden as a foreign citizen: https://www.csn.se/languages/english/the-right-to-swedish-student-finance.html
  • What qualifications are needed to apply for Game Artist?
    You don't need any prior knowledge or previous experiences of working with 3D or animations to apply to PSQ Game Artist. Although, we want you to have finished High School and can show us a Graduation Certificate.
  • What qualifications are needed to apply for Game Designer?
    You don't need any prior knowledge or previous experiences to apply to PSQ Game Designer. Although, we want you to have finished High School and can show us a Graduation Certificate.
  • What qualifications are needed to apply for Game Programmer?
    Programmer applicants will need prior knowledge in a programming language such as C, C++, C#, or Java - but any programming language will also suffice, as long as you've got a logical mind. Knowledge in object-oriented programming or rendering programming is meriting. We also want you to have finished High School and show us a Graduation Certificate.
  • Can I study remotely?
    No. We do all courses on-site here in Falun.
  • Is there student accommodation?
    Yes! Read more about it here: https://www.kopparstaden.se/student/international-students
  • How long is the Internship period?
    The Internship starts in November and ends in June. The internship period takes place during your last six months of the education, which gives you very good conditions for getting a job immediately after the education. So take the chance and try to get your internship place at a studio/company where you really want to work, it could be your first job right after graduation! Read more about the Internship here: https://www.playgroundsquad.com/praktik?lang=en
  • Can I study individual courses at PSQ?
    No. We currently only offer our program educations that are two years long.
  • What qualifications are needed to apply to PSQ?
    Game Artist: You don't need any prior knowledge or previous experiences of working with 3D or animations to apply to PSQ Game Artist. Although, we want you to have finished High School and can show us a Graduation Certificate. Game Designer: You don't need any prior knowledge or previous experiences to apply to PSQ Game Designer. Although, we want you to have finished High School and can show us a Graduation Certificate. Game Programmer: Programmer applicants will need prior knowledge in a programming language such as C, C++, C#, or Java - but any programming language will also suffice, as long as you've got a logical mind. Knowledge in object-oriented programming or rendering programming is meriting. We also want you to have finished High School and show us a Graduation Certificate.
  • Can I do an internship at PlaygroundSquad?
    If you're interested in doing your internship at PlaygroundSquad, write to: Lotta@tension.se!
  • What does a game programmer do?
    As a game developer, you create all functions in games, so that characters move and which rules in physics etc. should work. If you can interact with something in a game, it is a programmer who has made that function possible.
  • How long does it take to become a game programmer?
    At PlaygroundSquad, it takes 2 years from the time you start the training until you are a finished game developer in your chosen field: Game Design, Game Artist or Game Programming.
  • What qualifications are needed to apply for Game Programmer?
    Programmer applicants will need prior knowledge in a programming language such as C, C++, C#, or Java - but any programming language will also suffice, as long as you've got a logical mind. Knowledge in object-oriented programming or rendering programming is meriting. We also want you to have finished High School and show us a Graduation Certificate.
  • Which Work Samples are needed?
    You will need prior knowledge in C, C++, Java, or C#. Knowledge of object-oriented or graphical programming is meriting. ​ Your work samples should contain source code and executable files, as well as a description of your items. The files you submit can be anything - graphical applications, small games, utilities, or scripts. ​ You may also provide any other relevant material such as applications, scripts, or mods written in other languages. Written material such as technical papers and presentations are also accepted.
  • Is it easy to get a job as a Game Programmer?
    The entire game industry in Sweden (and in the world) is currently crying out for skills and talent to hire, so there is a shortage of game developers out there in the professional world. Of course, companies don't hire just anyone. You have to show the quality that the studio or company you're applying to is looking for. So yes, it is easy to get a job in game programming - if you have the right skills.
  • What is the salary of a game programmer?
    It can vary what you get as a starting salary as a game programmer. The market salary in 2022 for developers and programmers in games and digital media in Sweden is between SEK 36,000 and 60,000 per month, according to Unionen, a Swedish labor union.
  • What does a Game Designer do?
    Game designers create the framework for the game experience and what the goals of the game are. Within Game Design, you create rules, challenges, events and everything in between that happens in the game. At PSQ game design training, you learn basic principles in game design that can be applied to any game.
  • How long does it take to become a game designer?
    At PlaygroundSquad, it takes 2 years from the time you start the training until you are a finished game developer in your chosen field: Game Design, Game Artist or Game Programming.
  • What qualifications are needed to apply for Game Designer?
    You don't need any prior knowledge or previous experiences to apply to PSQ Game Designer. Although, we want you to have finished High School and can show us a Graduation Certificate.
  • Which Work Samples are needed for Game Designer?
    There are two required tasks which you have to perform as part of your work samples: Analyze gameplay in a game. Choose a game to write about and explain how the gameplay elements affect the rest of the design such as levels, characters, and story. Create a game concept. Create your own game concept based on a specific game mechanic. In this case, there are three different ones to choose from, these are: Water physics. Create a game concept where the physics surrounding water behavior (movement, density, floating/sinking, etc) is a core mechanic. This means that it is vital for the games' core gameplay. Focus on explaining this mechanic in detail. Manipulate time. Create a game concept where the core mechanic is that the player can, in some way manipulate/control time. What you can do and how it works is up to you. However, the time manipulation/control must be a part of the games core gameplay. Focus on explaining this mechanic in detail. Rewarding exploration. Create a game concept where exploration and the system to reward players for exploration is the most vital part of the game experience. How does the game encourage exploration and reward the players for doing it? Where is the risk/reward? Focus on explaining this mechanic in detail. Optionally, you may also provide samples of your previous work such as modding, scripting, writing (short stories, character portraits, RPG-related design), and similar design documents.
  • Is it easy to get a job as a Game Designer?
    The entire game industry in Sweden (and in the world) is currently crying out for skills and talent to hire, so there is a shortage of game designers out there in the professional world. Of course, companies don't hire just anyone. You have to show the quality that the studio or company you're applying to is looking for. So yes, it is easy to get a job in game design - if you have the right skills.
  • What's the salary for a Game Designer?
    It can vary what you get as a starting salary as a game designer. The market salary in 2022 for game designers and developers in games and digital media in Sweden is between SEK 36,000 and 60,000 per month, according to Unionen, a Swedish labor union..
  • What does a Game Artist do?
    A Game Artist, 3D Artist or 3D Graphic Designer creates everything seen in the games - the graphic and artistic. It can be about characters in games or the environments or specific objects seen in the games. As a Game Creator Artist, you can choose for yourself what you want to specialize in!
  • How long does it take to become a Game Artist?
    At PlaygroundSquad, it takes 2 years from the time you start the training until you are a finished game developer in your chosen field: Game Design, Game Artist or Game Programming.
  • What qualifications are needed to apply for Game Artist?
    You don't need any prior knowledge or previous experiences of working with 3D or animations to apply to PSQ Game Artist. Although, we want you to have finished High School and can show us a Graduation Certificate.
  • Which Work Samples are needed for Game Artist?
    You will need to demonstrate any or all of the following: Skills in traditional art or media. An artistic background means that you know how to paint, sculpt, or design and have an understanding of perspective, value, form, function, color, lighting, composition, etc. ​ Technical knowledge in graphics-related software. This might manifest itself as a thorough understanding of a 3D application such as Maya, 3D Studio Max or Blender. Prior experience scripting or modding games and 3D software is also meriting. Please take pictures or scan your work if you have analogue work samples like sculptures, photos, or paintings.
  • Is it easy to get a job as a Game Artist?
    The entire game industry in Sweden (and in the world) is currently crying out for skills and talent to hire, so there is a shortage of game artists out there in the professional world. Of course, companies don't hire just anyone. You have to show the quality that the studio or company you're applying to is looking for. So yes, it is easy to get a job as a game artist - if you have the right skills.
  • What's the salary for a Game Artist?
    It can vary what you get as a starting salary when you start working as a 3D Artist in the game industry. The average salary for a 3D graphic artists in Sweden is SEK 38,600 per month according to the 2023 salary statistics, according to the Swedish website Yrkeskollen.se.
PSQ student smiling at his desk computer.

Curriculum

Do you want to know how to become a game designer?
 

The curriculum for the Designer program is fundamental and requires no prior knowledge in Game Design. However, it's an advantage if you are somewhat good at English.
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Initially, you'll learn about what creates a gaming experience, and you'll develop game ideas and describe experiences in games. As the education continues, the courses will become more practical. You'll get to work with scripts and game editing software (Unity, Unreal, etc.) as a tool for creating a gaming experience.

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As a Game Designer, you'll also learn the basics of project management and will lead all presentations that are held during the game projects as it's usually the Designer who is the project manager for each of the game projects.

Game Projects

During your time at PlaygroundSquad, you will participate in three gaming projects. For each game project, you get to create a game with other students. In the project, you will use your new knowledge that you’ve learned to create a game, free for anyone to play, on PC or console.

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During the gaming projects, the Designer is responsible for the gaming experience, but also for the project management during the course of the game project. There is no requirement, but usually it’s also the Game Designer who tends to be the Project Manager for the game project. This is very common as the Designer has a clear overall view of the entire project/game.

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The Designers usually works in pairs and are responsible for a lot during the projects: Writing the script for the game, is responsible for communicating the game's vision, give presentations, and also manage schedules and tasks for the others in the project team.

Swedish cottage art, by PSQ Game Artist student, Maija Eriksson Kukkonen.
PlayStation controller with blue light on a table.

PlayStation First

As PlaygroundSquad is part of PlayStation First, you are able to work on PlayStation hardware. This will give you an extra edge when starting your internship at a real company.

Career

Our Game Designers can pick and choose from professions after graduation, thanks to the broad content of the education.

 

We encourage our game designers to find their own areas of interest and also create competence within it. Our tutors are happy to help motivate your ambitions. You can choose to go deeper into Game Design like gameplay scripting or level design. You can also immerse yourself in topics like game writing, production, and QA.

PSQ student game testing at school.

COURSES

With a focus on practical learning, the designer courses at PlaygroundSquad are carefully constructed to get you into a real production as soon as possible.

Term 1

  • Introduction to 3D Graphics
    Laying the foundation for things to come, this introductory course will teach you the basics of how 3D graphics work and how they are created. Artists and designers take this course together which helps build a common vocabulary and fundamental understanding of some of the very core concepts in 3D graphics.
     

  • Introduction to game design
    The first design course aims to teach the basics of games and what parts and functions that make up gameplay. The course main focus lies in coming up with ideas for games and to refine and document said ideas into actual design documents. The course also introduce GameMaker Studio as a tool for prototyping game concepts. In the end of the course the fundamentals of project management is introduced in order to prepare for game project 1.

    The most popular of the game concepts made throughout this course are the ones that gets picked for development in game project 1.
     

  • Game project 1
    Your first game project! Designers usually work in pairs during the game projects, and have many different tasks and responsibilities. Mainly in charge of the gameplay and gaming experience, designers need to communicate and direct the artists and programmers and make sure that everyone is working towards a common, fun goal. The first game project is usually created exclusively for the PC.
     

  • Ethics and morals in games
    With two seminars and a written assignment, you will talk about emerging issues in games and the various morality choices you may encounter during your career.

Term 2

  • Scripting
    This course teaches the basics theory and practise of scripting as a tool for creating and altering gameplay. The course starts very basic but quickly grows more advanced, culminating in the creation of a tiny game made from scratch.

    Scripting is a key tool for any game designer, and this course is often a pivotal point in the game design education.
     

  • Game design 1
    Game design 1 starts out with a more theoretical approach, introducing areas in game development adjacent to game design, such as storytelling, UI design and basic level design.

    The latter half of the course is exceedingly practical in nature; focused entirely on creating games in modern, existing editors such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
     

  • Game project 2
    The second game project is longer than the first one, allowing for a greater design scope and more possibilities for an interesting gaming experience. During game project 2 designers are encouraged to script and implement their own gameplay as well as being in charge of the overall direction of the game. The project is usually multi-platform, being intended for PlayStation 4 and PC.

Term 3

  • Game design 2
    Game design 2 focuses on more advanced game design principles and theory, including designing after industry standards and requirements, as well as designing truly innovative game features. This last course is short, but highly demanding.  
     

  • Game project 3 (graduation project)
    Your third and last game project, which is also your graduation course before moving on to your internship. Make it count!

Term 4

  • Internship
    The remainder of your education is spent at a games studio as part of your internship, starting in November and continuing until your graduation.

Kurser
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