Game Design
Introduction
The YDA Game Design Pathway gives students a broad and progressive understanding of how games are designed, experienced and played. The programme develops five fundamental areas of game design, allowing students to explore how systems, characters, worlds, stories and player interaction work together to create engaging experiences.
Pathway Structure
The Game Design Pathway explores how designers create engaging games and player experiences. Students begin by understanding how games work, exploring game mechanics, character design, world building, visual storytelling and the design process.
As they progress, students learn how game designers communicate and solve design problems through level design, user experience, gameplay systems, puzzle design, prototyping and testing. Projects include platformer level design, escape room design, survival games and mobile game concepts.
At the Innovator stage, students develop original ideas and explore future-focused game concepts, including narrative design, speculative design, accessibility, inclusive design and emerging technologies. Projects challenge students to think about how games can create new experiences and shape the future of gaming.
About Portfolio Development
The Game Design Pathway explores how designers create engaging games and player experiences. Students begin by understanding how games work, exploring game mechanics, character design, world building, visual storytelling and the design process.
As they progress, students learn how game designers communicate and solve design problems through level design, user experience, gameplay systems, puzzle design, prototyping and testing. Projects include platformer level design, escape room design, survival games and mobile game concepts.
At the Innovator stage, students develop original ideas and explore future-focused game concepts, including narrative design, speculative design, accessibility, inclusive design and emerging technologies. Projects challenge students to think about how games can create new experiences and shape the future of gaming.
The Five Fundamentals
The rules, objectives, choices, challenges, rewards and systems that make a game work, and how these influence player decisions.
Game Mechanics & Systems
How characters, abilities, roles, identity and perspective shape gameplay, and how designers create meaningful relationships between players and the game.
Character & Player Roles
How environments, levels, navigation, space and atmosphere can guide players and support gameplay.
Worlds & Level Design
How stories, characters, choices, consequences and visual or interactive storytelling create meaning and engagement.
Narrative & Storytelling
What makes games engaging, how players interact with systems and interfaces, and how testing and feedback improve the experience.
Player Experience & Interaction
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Explorer
Certificate Content
Certificate
Key Outcomes Content
Key Outcomes
Projects Content
Projects
Focus Content
Focus
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Developer
Certificate Content
Certificate
Key Outcomes Content
Key Outcomes
Projects Content
Projects
Focus Content
Focus
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Innovator
Certificate Content
Certificate
Key Outcomes Content
Key Outcomes
Projects Content
Projects
Focus Content
Focus
How You Progress
Available Classes
Choose the class that best matches your child's school year and experience. If you're unsure which class is the best fit, book a taster session and we'll be happy to help you decide.
Interior Design
Year 8 to 11
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Architecture
Year 8 to 11
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Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 4 to 7
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Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 8 to 11
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Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 9 to 11
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Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 6 to 8
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Architecture
Year 9 to 11
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Architecture
Year 6 to 8
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Junior Architecture
Year 6 to 8
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Fashion Design
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Portfolio Development
Year 12 to 13
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Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 9 to 13
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Fee
Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 9 to 11
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Fee
Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 9 to 11
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Schedule
Fee
Fashion Design
Year 6 to 8
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Fee
GCSE Studio Time
Year 9 to 11
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Fee
Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 9 to 11
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Fee
Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 6 to 8
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Fee
Interior Design
Year 9 to 11
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Schedule
Fee
Architecture
Year 9 to 11
Location
Schedule
Fee
Interior Design
Year 6 to 8
Location
Schedule
Fee
Architecture
Year 6 to 8
Location
Schedule
Fee
Architecture
Year 6 to 9
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Schedule
Fee
Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 6 to 9
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Schedule
Fee
Game Design
Year 9 to 11
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Fee
Game Design
Year 6 to 8
Location
Schedule
Fee
Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 9 to 11
Location
Schedule
Fee
Drawing & Visual Communication
Year 6 to 8
Location
Schedule
Fee
Session Information
Fees
Our classes are 90 minutes long and are charged at £28.50 per class. Fees are the same across all pathways and progression stages. We ask for a minimum of six classes to be paid for in advance, covering one six-week block, or, if joining part-way through a block, the number of classes remaining in the current six-week block.