FAQ
What is the Weekend Game Design Basics program?
Our Game Design Basics Program offers flexible weekend workshops for the kids ages 8 to 14 with an engaging and flexible learning experience, designed around a modular education system. The program features 8 unique workshops that students can take in any order, each blending hands-on activities with digital tools. Each workshop takes 90 min and we are running different workshops all day every weekend. This 50/50 approach allows students to learn foundational game design skills in a dynamic and balanced environment, combining physical crafting and digital modeling.
Students can attend just one workshop or multiple workshop in a day. They can repeat workshops anytime, each session brings new projects and ideas. Parents can drop-off and pick up their kids or wait and relax in our parent lounge with playing retro games and board games. Students who complete all 8 different workshops in this program earn a Game Design Basics Certificate.
How does this modular system work?
The modular system allows students to choose their learning path. You can take any of the 8 workshops in any order and revisit them as often as desired. This flexibility lets your child focus on the areas they are most interested in while developing a well-rounded skill set. As new programs are released, the system will expand to offer even more opportunities for growth.
Do I need to commit to all 8 workshops in the program?
No, you don’t have to commit to the full 8-workshop program right away. Parents can choose to sign up for individual workshops or the full 8-workshops program. This allows for flexibility based on your child’s interests and schedule. You can mix and match workshops based on your child’s development goals.
Are there any prerequisites for these classes?
No prior experience is required! Our classes are designed for beginners and offer progressive learning. Whether your child is new to game design or has some prior knowledge, our instructors will provide step-by-step guidance to ensure they are engaged and supported throughout their journey.
How much are the weekend workshops?
Weekend workshops are priced at $60 per class, each session is 90 minutes. We aim to keep the cost reasonable while providing an exceptional educational experience in small, focused groups.
What about the Summer Camp Program, how that works?
Our 10-week summer camp offers a fun, flexible workshop experience where kids explore different STEM and game design topics each day. Join any day that works for your schedule, no need to attend every day. We focus on creativity, collaboration, and play. These full-day workshops are 9am to 5pm, with early drop-off and pick-up available. Prices are includes 2 slices of pizza and a drink each day. See our daily summer camp schedule to choose your topics. Summer Camp Workshops will start June 23rd 2025.
What are some of the activities kids do in the summer camp workshops?
Our summer camp workshops offer a variety of exciting and engaging game design activities for kids. These include hands-on game creation workshops, Dungeons & Dragons role-playing games, where children can both create and play in imaginative worlds. We also host Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon card game deck building sessions and tournaments. In addition, our summer camp workshops feature an enhanced version of our weekend game design classes, giving kids even more opportunities to learn and create. These activities are designed to promote creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and fun, making for an unforgettable summer experience!
What’s the daily flow like at your Game Design Academy Summer Camp?
Each day follows a fun, hands-on, and engaging structure designed to spark creativity and learning:
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We start the morning with introductions and a group conversation where we learn what kids already know about the day’s topic—what games they like, what art styles they enjoy, and why.
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Then, we introduce key concepts on a digital whiteboard. We encourage kids to take notes on important ideas and terminology.
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From there, we dive into hands-on activities. For example:
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In our strategy board game workshop, kids explore physical game elements placed on their desks and learn how they’re used in actual games.
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In our pixel art game design workshop, we provide character samples for inspiration. Kids start by doodling their own ideas, then use physical tools to create pixel art versions of their characters.
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We return to the whiteboard throughout the day to teach more advanced or technical topics in short, interactive segments.
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Depending on the workshop, we may introduce digital tools or apps using classroom iPads. Some workshops involve very little screen time, while others require it to learn essential tools.
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Screen time is kept minimal. We don’t play video games or show movies—unless it’s a short video introduction to the day’s subject, or students are testing games they created.
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Kids often play physical games, design mechanics with paper and pen, or work in groups to prototype ideas.
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We take short breaks every 90 minutes for snacks, water, and restroom visits.
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A one-hour lunch break happens around 12:30–1:00 PM, depending on the flow of the day.
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Camp runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You’re welcome to drop off late or pick up early—just let us know in advance.
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We do not have outdoor or off-site activities. All programs take place indoors in our creative classroom environment.
How much are the summer camp workshops?
Our game design daily summer camp workshops are $120 per day, running from 9 AM to 5 PM. Each summer camp day includes two slices of pizza and a drink. Summer camp program is perfect for kids who want to dive deep into game design in a fun and immersive workshop setting.
What about the After School Programs, how they work?
These are structured, 6-week programs meet once a week on the same day and time for 6 weeks to complete. These consistent weekly sessions build momentum and mastery in specific subjects. Students receive a program completion certificate at the end of each program. Here are the 5 After School Programs we have available. (We don't run After School Programs when Summer Camp takes place. After School Program will start Sep 8 2025. Please check our calendar to see all available dates and programs).
Current After School Programs:
Board Games - After School Certificate Program
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Lesson 1: Strategy Games Design and Play (Example Game: 7 Wonders Architects)
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Lesson 2: Dice Games Design and Play (Example Game: King of Tokyo)
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Lesson 3: Dexterity Games Design and Play (Example Game: Dungeon Fighters)
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Lesson 4: Race Games Design and Play (Example Game: Camel Up)
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Lesson 5: Make your own Board Game Part 1 - Mechanics
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Lesson 6: Make your own Board Game Part 2 - Art
Pixel Art Game Design - After School Certificate Program
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Lesson 1: Game Concept and Story Telling
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Lesson 2: Character Design
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Lesson 3: Animation
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Lesson 4: Level Design Part 1 - Environments and Spawn Points
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Lesson 5: Level Design Part 2 - Game Flow and Story
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Lesson 6: Level Design Part 3 - Final Touches
Video Game Development - After School Certificate Program
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Lesson 1: Game Engine Interface (Example Game: Wizard Run)
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Lesson 2: Creating a Game (Example Game: Monster Maze)
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Lesson 3: Computer Systems (Example Game: Fruit Fall)
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Lesson 4: Variables in Games (Example Game: Pong)
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Lesson 5: Animations and Game Physics (Example Game: Space Runner)
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Lesson 6: Conditional Branching and Data (Example Game: Top-Notch Trivia)
DnD Role Playing Games - After School Certificate Program
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Lesson 1: Character Creation and Game Rules
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Lesson 2: Example Game: The Goblin Market Part 1 - The Trouble with Goblins
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Lesson 3: Example Game: The Goblin Market Part 2 - The Goblin Market
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Lesson 4: Example Game: The Goblin Market Part 3 - The Gloomy Grotto
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Lesson 5: Example Game: Tiny Adventure Part 1 - The Trouble with Small
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Lesson 6: Example Game: Tiny Adventure Part 2 - The Tumble Sprite Rally
Collectable Card Games - After School Certificate Program
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Lesson 1: Magic the Gathering - How to Play
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Lesson 2: MTG Deck building - Single Color
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Lesson 3: MTG Deck building - Multi Color
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Lesson 4: MTG Tournament
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Lesson 5: Pokemon - How to Play
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Lesson 6: Pokemon Tournament
How much are the after school programs?
Our after school programs are $300 per program (total 6 lessons in 6 weeks), lessons are taking place 3:30pm to 5:00pm same day of the week.
What is the class size in your programs?
We keep our classes small, with a maximum of 12 students per class. This allows for more personalized attention and a collaborative environment where students can interact, share ideas, and receive individual feedback.
How Refer Friends Program work?
When you refer a friend to Game Design Academy, you’ll receive a 20% discount after your friend books at least one session.
As a bonus, your friend also gets 10% off their first session!
Discounts apply to the lowest-priced session in your cart, so plan your bookings accordingly to maximize savings.