Full Cycle Game Academy

Innovative game development education specializing in Unreal Engine. Founded by Gamecan.

About the Academy

Full Cycle Game Academy is a unique game development education opportunity where you will learn from experienced Unreal Engine specialists. The goal is to provide our students with all the knowledge, experience, and tools to ensure them a spot in the game industry.

The academy will emulate a real-life game development company’s work with the game industry’s widely used tools, experiences, and processes. We will develop your teamwork, organization, and communication skills and offer in-depth training in Unreal Engine. We’ll help you to become a successful Unreal Engine game developer.

We opened 5 curriculums in Autumn 2023 with 150 available spots. It’s possible to learn several curriculums at the same time.
The five curriculums are:
Game Development
Game Design
Game Art
Sound and Audio for Games
Project Management and Production

You will be trained and mentored by talented Unreal Engine specialists to acquire all the necessary knowledge to become an Unreal Engine specialist and join a position in the game industry right after graduating.

Unreal Engine specialists are the most sought after talent in the game industry.

Q

Game Development

During this Game Development course, you will learn:

Basic Course

  • Introduction
  • Game industry history

C++

  • What you need to start coding in Unreal:
  • Pseudo code
  • Variables
  • Conditionals
  • Loops
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Classes
  • Functions
  • Pointers
  • Data Structures
  • Lambdas etc

Basic Unreal Programming

  • Blueprints
  • Components
  • Interfaces
  • Inheritance
  • Game Framework
  • Enhanced Input
  • Unreal Macros etc

Networking

  • Replication
  • Notifies
  • RPC's [Remote Procedure Call] 

AI

  • Navigation,
  • Behaviour Trees,
  • EQS [Environment Query System] and etc.)

GAS (Gameplay Ability System)

UI (User Interface)

Animation

  • Animation Blueprint,
  • Control Rig etc

Profiling and Debugging

Project Management for Programmers

Source Control

Tech art

Throughout the course, you will work on two projects to apply the concepts learned and gain practical experience in cooperation with other students.

Q

Game Design

During this Game Design course, you will learn:

Fundamentals of Game Design

  • History of Video Games
  • Game design concepts and terminology
  • Game design document creation and iteration
  • Game design principles

Introduction to Non-digital Game

  • Non-digital game theory and practice
  • Board Games Mechanics

Game Mechanics and Systems Design

  • Designing game rules and mechanics
  • Designing game systems (economy, progression, AI, etc.)
  • Game balance and playtesting

Development and Implementation

  • Introduction to Unreal Engine and Tools
  • Basic Programming for Game Design
  • Visual Scripting with Unreal Engine
  • Prototyping

Game Art (Content Creation)

  • Principles of visual and audio design for games
  • Creating 2D and 3D assets for games
  • Animation and Visual Effects (VFX)
  • Implementing visual and audio assets in Unreal Engine

Game Production

  • Game development pipelines and project management
  • Overview of career paths in the game industry
  • Preparing a portfolio and resume for a game design career

Story, World Building, and Character Design

  • Storytelling in games
  • Narrative structure and character development
  • World building and setting design
  • Quest and objective design

Level Design

  • Level design theory and practice
  • Maps, Level Breakdowns, and Design Document
  • Level scripting and interactive design
  • Building 3D Level in Unreal Engine

User Experience and Interaction Design

  • Fundamental of User Experience
  • Designing user interfaces and game controls
  • Playtesting and user feedback

Throughout the course, you will be working on two projects to apply your knowledge and gain practical experience while cooperating with other students.

 

 

This game art curriculum teaches the fundamentals of art and design as it applies to creating game assets for Unreal Engine.

You will learn 3D modeling software, texturing, lighting, and rendering techniques to create optimized game assets.

By course end, you will have the skills necessary to create high-quality game art assets for personal or professional game development.

Duration                   9 months
Location                   Pärnu, Estonia
Start                         September 2023
Time                         Saturday 10AM-2PM
Spots available         30
Language                 English
Fee                           300€ (+VAT) a month, or 2500€ (+VAT) as a single                                         payment

Q

Game art

During this Game Art course, you will:

  • Learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling, including polygonal modeling and subdivision surfaces, as well as sculpting and retopology techniques.
  • Advance your texturing skills with a focus on creating realistic materials, using Substance Painter and Photoshop, and learn baking techniques for creating efficient textures.
  • Learn to use 3D tools for 2D projects, such as creating assets for mobile games and UI design.
  • Develop basic animation and 3D model manipulation skills, including rigging and posing models.
  • Learn to use industry-standard software such as Blender, Substance Painter, and Marmoset Toolbag to create high-quality game assets.
  • Gain an understanding of the game development pipeline and how to create assets that are optimized for real-time rendering.
  • Create a portfolio of 3D assets that demonstrate your skills in modeling, texturing, and animation.
  • Collaborate with other students on group projects to simulate a real game development environment.
  • Receive feedback and critiques from experienced instructors to help you improve your skills

Throughout the course, you will be working on two projects to apply your knowledge and gain practical experience while cooperating with other students.

 

 

Q

Sound and Audio

During this Sound and Audio course, you will:

  • Get first hand experience creating a computer game.
  • Learn the correct vocabulary for audio and game development.
  • Learn to navigate in Unreal Engine 5.
  • Implement sound effects and music in Unreal Engine 5.
  • Understand where to find audio assets and when to create them.
  • Learn to be comfortable with blueprints.
  • Get used to working with digital audio workstations like FL Studio.
  • Obtain knowledge of various techniques and tools for sound synthesis.
  • Get an understanding of audio signal flow.
  • Get a deep understanding of how sound assets are created and implemented.
  • Know what Metasound is and how to use it.
  • Learn to digitally manipulate sound.
  • How to create a memorable sonic experience with menus, HUDs and user interfaces.
  • Have basic knowledge about copyrights, royalties and know the legal terms.

Throughout the course, you will be working on two projects to apply your knowledge and gain practical experience while cooperating with other students.

 

 

Q

Project Management and Production

During this Project Management and Production course, you will:

Learn the basics of Game Development Project Management

  • Understand the overview of game development process
  • Recognize the importance of project management in game development
  • Introduction to key terms and concepts (e.g. scope, budget, timeline, milestones)

Develop a Project Plan

  • Define project scope and objectives
  • Create a project charter and project plan
  • Identify stakeholders and their roles
  • Develop a work breakdown structure (WBS)
  • Define project timelines and milestones

Manage Project Execution

  • Monitor project progress
  • Manage project risks and issues
  • Control project scope and change requests
  • Facilitate communication and collaboration within the team and with stakeholders
  • Manage project resources (e.g. budget, human resources, equipment)

Implement Agile Methodologies for Game Development

  • Understand the overview of agile methodologies (e.g. Scrum, Kanban)
  • Apply agile methodologies to game development
  • Plan and execute projects using agile methodologies
  • Facilitate collaboration and communication in agile game development teams

Quality Management and Testing

  • Introduction to game testing and quality assurance
  • Define quality metrics and standards
  • Design and execute game tests
  • Manage and resolve bugs and issues

Manage Game Release

  • Prepare for game release
  • Manage launch and post-release activities
  • Gather and respond to user feedback and post-release updates

Close Project and Evaluate Outcomes

  • Review project outcomes and lessons learned
  • Evaluate project success and identify areas for improvement
  • Wrap up project activities and archive project documentation

In addition, you will be exposed to different check processes and methodologies, such as:

  • Gantt charts and critical path analysis
  • Earned value management
  • Risk management techniques
  • Project retrospectives and post-mortems

Throughout the course, you will gain hands-on experience with project management software and tools commonly used in game development, such as JIRA, Trello, or Asana.

Full Cycle Game Academy is the first Unreal Engine Authorized Training center in Northern Europe!

Studying in Pärnu

Pärnu is the fourth largest city in Estonia. It’s known for its large beaches and gorgeous nature. The living costs in Pärnu are very low and the living environment is one of the best in the region. Check it out yourself!

The classroom will be equipped with state of the art computers and has all the software you need for your study. We will provide you “after hours” time in the classroom every day to work on your projects.

The lecturers will mentor you throughout the courses and the education team is available for support and help with the relocation.

Full Cycle Game Academy has support from the Pärnu city government!

Q

Gamecan is a rapidly growing game development studio based in Pärnu, Estonia. We specialize in Unreal Engine.

With our fast growth it’s been a challenge to find new talent as fast as we’d like to expand our team and we see that the problem is increasing globally. More and more Unreal Engine specialists are needed in the game industry as the engine is quickly growing in popularity.

This, and the mission to develop the game development scene in Estonia, is what led us to creating Full Cycle Game Academy and we are really excited to welcome new students to our academy!