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Game programming code on a computer screen with person in the fore ground.

Game Programmer

Bygg grunden och spelens funktion

Som game programmer på PSQ får du skapa spel från grunden med praktiskt lärande och utrymme för specialkunskaper.

När du utbildar dig till spelprogrammerare på PSQ kommer du få lära dig olika aspekter spelprogrammering.

Läroplanen ger dig ett brett kunskapsområde med utrymme för specialkunskaper inom ett eller två ämnen som du brinner lite extra för. Som spelutvecklare på PlaygroundSquad får du skapa spel och även lära dig hur rendering funkar, samtidigt kommer du att få kunskaper inom AI, game physics, networking och mycket mer. Utbildningen innehåller mycket praktiskt lärande där du ges utrymme att arbeta mot egna mål.

Elias Wickander, Game Programmer student at PSQ, 2020.

Elias Wickander, Game Programmer student | 2020

"För mig har PlaygroundSquad varit en perfekt plattform för att utvecklas som spelutvecklare. Här lär dig hur du implementerar funktionalitet (som man ofta tar för givet i spelmotorer som Unity och Unreal Engine) helt från grunden, så att du får en bra förståelse för hur saker fungerar bakom kulisserna. Du får även praktisk erfarenhet tillsammans med talangfulla människor som kommer att bli dina framtida kollegor."

  • 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.
Animated picture from a PSQ Game Project.

Läroplan

Utbildningen inleder med en kortare kurs inom matematik för att lägga en grund inför de kommande kurserna inom spelprogrammering.


Som spelprogrammerare på PSQ kommer du att utbildas via tre kurser inom spelutveckling samt tre spelprojekt under dina två år på skolan.

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På PlaygroundSquad vill vi att studenterna ska växa in i sin roll som spelprogrammerare, därför följs varje kurs i spelprogrammering av ett spelprojekt där du får användning av dina nya kunskaper direkt efter att du lärt dig dem. 

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 spelprogrammeraren som ansvarar för att implementera själva spelfunktionerna och få spelet att fungera när du trycker på vissa knappar osv. Det finns vanligtvis två eller tre spelprogrammerare i varje projektgrupp och där samarbetar man tillsammans, och med andra studenter inom Game Design och Game Artister för att nå projektets slutmål: ett snyggt, fungerande och coolt spel!

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Som spelprogrammerare arbetar du vanligtvis i vårt egna program TenGine (3D middleware), men du får också gärna använda det program som passar dig bäst eller som du är mest bekväm med. Eftersom våra studenter bygger och implementerar sina egna spel från grunden innebär det att arbetet kan tillämpas och användas i framtida spelprojekt. 

Animated picture from a PSQ Game Project, Dragonic Rampage.
PlayStation controller with blue lights on a table.

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

Efter din examen som spelprogrammerare kommer du att kunna arbeta som allmän programmerare på både stora och mindre spelstudios.


Du kan välja att specialisera dig inom ett område under dina två år hos oss, vilket sedan ökar dina chanser för att arbeta inom ett specifikt område. 

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Vanligtvis brukar våra studenter börja arbeta som spelprogrammerare eller allmän programmerare för att sedan utveckla sin karriär mot ett mer nischat område i branschen. 

Animated picture of a cottage in nighttime by PSQ student, Kim Eklund

KURSER

Med fokus på praktiskt lärande är våra kurser för spelprogrammering på PlaygroundSquad noggrant konstruerade för att våra elever ska få arbeta i produktion så mycket och tidigt som möjligt.

Spelprogrammering - Utbildning

Termin 1

  • Spelanalys & Spelkoncept
     

  • Introduktion till spelprogrammering 
    I denna kurs får du lära dig grunderna till programmering vilket ger dig som inte är van att arbeta i C++ en chans att komma ikapp samtidigt som du får lära dig vanliga sätt att hantera problemlösning i kod.
     

  • Matematik i Spel
    Här får du en stabil grund inför kommande kurser där du lär dig grunderna för linjär algebra. Kursen täcker även områden för matriser, vektorer och omvandlingar och innehåller även en del praktiskt arbete med uppgifter i C++. 
     

  • Spelprogrammering 1
    PSQ’s tre spelprogrammeringskurser utgör huvuddelen av läroplanen för programmerarutbildningen, och i den första kursen för spelprogrammering kommer du att lära dig grunderna i arbetet. Inledningsvis får du skapa och rendera din första polygon i 3D, men du får också lära dig tekniker som inmatning, belysning, kollision, animering, ljud och mer. 
     

  • Spelprojekt 1
    Ditt första spelprojekt! Som programmerare kommer du att bekanta dig med verktyg och program som används vid spelproduktion, som källkontroll och kodgranskning. Du lär dig att arbeta i ett team med andra programmerare, såväl som artister och designers. Det första spelprojektet skapas nästan uteslutande för PC.     Läs mer om spelprojekten här.

Spelprogrammering - Utbildning

Termin 2

  • 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.
     

  • Spelprogrammering 2
    Kursen bygger på”Spelprogrammering 1” och fördjupar samt behandlar mer avancerade ämnen som bland annat konsolprogrammering, parallell programmering, AI, shaders, m.m.
     

  • Spelprogrammering 3
    Det här är höjdpunkten i PSQ’s programmeringskurser. Inför ditt sista spelprojekt lär du dig bland annat avancerade renderingstekniker, networking, hur man implementerar game physics och andra sätt att strukturera en spelmotor.
     

  • Spelprojekt 2
    Ditt andra spelprojekt. Det andra spelprojektet pågår under en längre tid än det första och ger dig mer tid att fokusera på ditt arbete. Detta är vanligtvis det första spelprojektet som är ett multiplattformspel, vilket innebär att du här skapar material som fungerar för PC och konsol.
     

  • Spelprogrammering, specialisering
    Efter spelprojekt ett och två borde du som student ha hittat ett område inom spelprogrammering som intresserar dig lite extra. Under denna kurs får du skapa fritt inom det område som intresserar dig för att få ut ett projekt i slutet av kursen.
     

  • Bransch och Företagsintroduktion

Spelprogrammering - Utbildning

Termin 3

  • 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.
     

  • 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. Läs mer om praktikperioden här.

Spelprogrammering - Utbildning

Termin 4

  • LIA-period 2

Kurser
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