Game Design and Development
3 years – Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Learn to create games from beginning to end
Overview
Upcoming Intake: Fall 2025: College Drive – North Bay
Start your exciting career in game development and design. This program combines artistic and technical aspects of the game production process. Learn the diverse skills needed to succeed in this ever changing industry including design, programming, creating algorithms and AI. Learn to create game art and gaming experiences and problem solve through gamification. This job field is in demand and this specialized training will prepare you for a variety of gaming-related career options.
Your Future Career
- Computer game developer
- Interactive media designer
- Video game designer
- New technology producer
What You Learn
- Game design
- Programming
- Design and web development
- Statistics, algorithms, and artificial intelligence
- Networking
- Software security
Developing games is a complex process which demands that each discipline work closely together. Canadore has tailored a program which reflects these real-world demands, and gives students an in-depth understanding of how art, design and technology come together to deliver interactive experiences. By graduating from Canadore's Game Design and Development Program, students can be confident they will develop the necessary skills to be successful in the Video Game Industry.
Matthew Huard, Principal Engineer
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
19 years or older, or OSSD or equivalent, or GED
If English is not your first language you must provide proof of English competency.
Curriculum
Curriculum
Semester 1
| GDD100 | Ludology |
| GDD101 | Art Theory |
| GDD102 | Game Design I |
| GDD103 | Computer Mathematics I |
| GDD104 | Introduction to Programming |
| GDD105 | Project Structure |
| GENED | General Education Elective - Online (GDD Sem 1) |
Semester 2
| GDD200 | Game Sprites |
| GDD201 | 3D Modeling I |
| GDD202 | World Building |
| GDD203 | Computer Mathematics II |
| GDD204 | Introduction to Object Oriented Programming |
| GDD205 | Game Prototype l |
| GENED | General Education Elective - Online (GDD Sem 2) |
Semester 3
| GDD300 | Game Design II |
| GDD301 | 3D Modeling II |
| GDD302 | Discrete Mathematics |
| GDD303 | Lighting and Rendering |
| GDD304 | Object Oriented Theory and Programming |
| GDD305 | Game Prototype II |
| GENED | General Education Elective - Online (GDD Sem 3) |
Semester 4
| GDD400 | Game Optimization |
| GDD401 | Development for Scalability |
| GDD402 | Game Audio |
| GDD403 | Problem Solving with Data Structure and Algorithms |
| GDD404 | Online Games Architecture |
| GDD405 | Game Prototype III |
Semester 5
| GDD500 | User Interface Design |
| GDD501 | Character Creation |
| GDD502 | Artificial Intelligence |
| GDD503 | Advanced Networking |
| GDD504 | Project and Group Dynamics |
| GDD505 | Game Development Projects - Group |
Semester 6
| GDD600 | Special Effects |
| GDD601 | Game Database |
| GDD602 | Portfolio Creation |
| GDD603 | Business Management |
| GDD604 | Workplace Skills |
| GDD605 | Game Development Projects - Solo |
Tuition Fees
Tuition Fees
2025-26 – 3 years – Ontario College Advanced Diploma
College Drive Campus – Domestic| Year | Tuition | Ancillary Fees | Material Fee | Trip Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2720.24 | $1587 | - | - | $4307.24 |
| 2 | $2720.24 | $1423 | - | - | $4143.24 |
| 3 | $2720.24 | $1423 | - | $550 | $4693.24 |
2025-26 – 3 years – Ontario College Advanced Diploma
College Drive Campus – International| Year | Tuition | Ancillary Fees | Material Fee | Trip Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15547.54 | $1975.5 | - | - | $17523.04 |
| 2 | $15547.54 | $1811.5 | - | - | $17359.04 |
| 3 | $15547.54 | $1811.5 | - | $550 | $17909.04 |
What You Need
What You Need
Textbooks:
Check out the Campus Bookstore to not only purchase your textbooks but also view your book list before the semester starts.
Technology/Devices:
Canadore College has implemented Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to enhance your learning experience in and out of the classroom while ensuring flexibility in learning.
To learn more about BYOD and to find out what is required for your program, please visit https://www.canadorecollege.ca/BYOD
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes represent culminating demonstrations of learning and achievement. In addition, learning outcomes are interrelated and cannot be viewed in isolation of one another. As such, they should be viewed as a comprehensive whole. They describe performances that demonstrate that significant integrated learning by graduates of the program has been achieved.
View Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Find out more about General Education program requirements here.
Further Your Education
Further Your Education
There are many options available to students who already have some postsecondary education.
Whether you are looking to study at Canadore from another school, continue your education at Canadore, or looking to pursue further education elsewhere, we can help find the right path for you!
Whether you want to Transfer TO Canadore, Transfer WITHIN Canadore, or prepare to Transfer FROM Canadore, we've got you covered!
Learn more about Credit Transfer and Pathway opportunities here.