
Game Designer
Skapa spelupplevelsens helhet
Game designers skaparna ramarna för spelupplevelsen med regler, utmaningar, händelser och allt däremellan.
Som Game Designer på PSQ lär du dig grundläggande principer inom speldesign som kan appliceras för vilket spel som helst.
Utbildningen börjar med att lära dig de grundläggande principerna i att ta fram koncept och idéer för spel. Sedan läggs fokus på praktiskt lärande med implementering och spelskapande, för att sedan avsluta med praktiskt utförande och avancerad teori.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Can I visit the school before applying?Sure! Write to us and we'll figure something out.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Can I study remotely?No. We do all courses on-site here in Falun.
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Is there student accommodation?Yes! Read more about it here: https://www.kopparstaden.se/student/international-students
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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
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Can I study individual courses at PSQ?No. We currently only offer our program educations that are two years long.
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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.
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Can I do an internship at PlaygroundSquad?If you're interested in doing your internship at PlaygroundSquad, write to: Lotta@tension.se!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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..
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Läroplan
Läroplanen för designprogrammet är väldigt grundläggande och kräver inga förkunskaper inom speldesign. Det är dock en fördel om du är en fena på engelska.
Inledningsvis får du lära dig om vad som skapar en spelupplevelse och du får ta fram spelidéer och beskriva upplevelser i spel. Ju längre utbildningen fortsätter, desto mer praktiska blir också kurserna. Du får arbeta med script och spelredigeringsprogram (Unity, Unreal etc.) som verktyg för att skapa en spelupplevelse.
Som speldesigner får du också lära dig grunderna i projektledning och kommer att leda alla presentationer som hålls i och med spelprojekten då det oftast är speldesignern som är projektledare för varje spelprojekt.
Spelprojekt
Under din tid på PlaygroundSquad kommer du delta i tre spelprojekt. För varje spelprojekt får du skapa ett spel tillsammans med andra studenter. I projektet får du använda dina nya kunskaper som du fått från terminen för att skapa ett spel, fritt för alla att spela på PC eller konsol.
Under spelprojekten är det leveldesignern som är ansvarig för spelupplevelsen, men också för projektledningen under spelprojektets gång. Det är inget krav, men oftast är det också speldesignern som tenderar att vara projektledare för spelprojektet, vilket är naturligt då designern har en tydlig övergripande koll på hela spelet.
Designers arbetar i par och har många bollar i luften under projekten: Skriver manus för spelet, ansvarar för att kommunicera spelets vision, håller presentationer och hanterar även scheman och arbetsuppgifter för de andra i projektgruppen.
PlayStation First
PlaygroundSquad är en del av PlayStation First, det innebär att du skapar och utvecklar dina spelprojekt exklusivt för Sony-hårdvara, som exempelvis PS4.
Detta ger inte bara en unik kunskap, utan är också en erfarenhet som väger tungt på marknaden och som ger våra studenter ett försprång in på praktikplatser.
Karriär
Våra game designers kan välja och vraka bland yrken efter examen tack vare utbildningens breda innehåll.
Vi uppmuntrar våra speldesigners att hitta sina egna intresseområden, och även skapa sig kompentens inom det. Våra lärare hjälper gärna till att motivera de ambitioner du har. Du kan välja att dyka djupare inom speldesign (exempelvis gameplay scripting eller level design), men du ges även möjligheten att fördjupa dig i nischade ämnen som game writing, production och QA.


Det krävs inga förkunskaper eller erfarenhet av speldesign för att ansöka till vår utbildning inom spel design. Vi kan dock ge dig lite tips på vad som kan vara bra att kunna innan du ansöker!
KURSER
Med fokus på praktiskt lärande är våra kurser på Designprogrammet på PlaygroundSquad noggrant konstruerade för att våra elever ska få arbeta i produktion så mycket och tidigt som möjligt.
Speldesign - Utbildning
Termin 1
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Spelanalys & Spelkoncept
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Introduktion till Speldesign
Den första designkursen syftar till att lära ut grunderna i spel, och vilka delar och funktioner som skapar spelet. Kursens huvudfokus ligger i att komma fram med idéer för spel och att förfina och dokumentera idéer till verklig design. Kursen introducerar olika Game Enginges och Level editors som används för att skapa prototyper inom spel. I slutet av kursen får du lära dig grunderna inom projektledning för att du ska kunna förbereda dig för det första spelprojektet.
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Scripting
Kursen lär ut grundläggande teori och praxis för scripting som ett verktyg för att skapa och påverka spelupplevelsen. Kursen börjar väldigt grundläggande, men avslutas med att du får skapa ett spel från scratch.Scripting är ett nyckelverktyg för alla speldesigners. Den här kursen är en viktig punkt i speldesign-utbildningen.
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Spelprojekt 1
Ditt första spelprojekt! Designers arbetar vanligtvis i par under spelprojekten och med många uppgifter och ansvarsområden. Som huvudansvarig för spelprojektet och spelupplevelsen behöver du som Designer kunna kommunicera och styra de andra i projektgruppen (Artisterna och Programmerarna) och se till att alla arbetar mot ett gemensamt mål. Det första spelprojektet skapas nästan uteslutande för PC
Speldesign - Utbildning
Termin 2
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Etik och moral i spel
Här får du insikt i framväxande problem i spelbranschen och de olika moralvalen du kan stöta på under din karriär.
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Speldesign 1
Den här kursen inom speldesign börjar med ett mer teoretiskt tillvägagångssätt och introducerar dig för områden inom spelutveckling som gränsar till speldesign, som storytelling, UI-design och grundläggande level design.
Den senare halvan av kursen är mer praktisk där du får fokusera helt på att skapa spel i moderna edit-program som Unity eller Unreal Engine.
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Introduktion till level design
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Spelprojekt 2
Det andra spelprojektet pågår under en längre tid än det första, vilket möjliggör ett större designomfång och fler möjligheter för dig att skapa en intressant spelupplevelse. Under det andra spelprojektet uppmuntras designers att skripta en spelupplevelse, se till så att den implementeras samt ha ansvaret för spelprojektets arbete.
Detta är vanligtvis det första spelprojektet som är ett multiplattformspel, vilket innebär att du här skapar material som fungerar för PC och konsol.
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Applicerad Speldesign
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Bransch och Företagsintroduktion
Speldesign - Utbildning
Termin 3
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Speldesign 2
Kursen fokuserar på avancerade principer och teorier inom speldesign. Den sista kursen inom speldesign är kort, men intensiv där du får lära dig att designa efter branschens standard och krav samtidigt som du får utforma innovativa spelfunktioner.
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Examensarbete i spelutveckling
Ditt tredje och sista spelprojekt. Det här spelprojektet kommer även att fungera som ditt examensprojekt innan du går vidare till din praktikplats.
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LIA-period 1
En stor del av din utbildning kommer bestå i att arbeta och praktisera på en spelstudio i branschen. Praktiken sträcker sig från november fram till ditt examenstillfälle.
Speldesign - Utbildning
Termin 4
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LIA-period 2