FAQ
Do I have to buy any software?
The professional game design software Unity, which is used by major studios all over the world to make AAA games is completely free for students to use. The 2D game engine we teach; GameSalad, is a great way to start learning game development. GameSalad is used by game hobbyists, and smaller studios to make great 2D games. GameSalad Basic is only $19 a month with no contract or $17 a month with an annual contract. This means if you only want to try it out for a month you would not be locked into a contract for either option. You can also try GameSalad free for 5 days without giving your credit card info by going to this page and creating an account to download the trial. You can also see if you qualify for student discounted options. At the beginning of each training section we take the time to explain where to download the necessary software and how to install it on your Mac or PC.
Below is a list of the software we teach and their related costs:
Game Design Software
Unity (FREE) 2D/3D Engine
GameSalad: For those of you who are starting your training with our GameSalad courses we have a coupon code for you to use when registering for your GameSalad account! This code gives students 25% off one year of GameSalad (both yearly and monthly).
GameSalad Coupon: sogd2020
GameSalad Basic – ($19 p/month) or ($17 p/month with annual contract)
GameSalad PRO – ($30 p/month no contract) or ($25 p/month with annual contract) See if you qualify for a student discount!
Basic vs Pro plans:
BASIC users can use all the behaviors and functions of GameSalad Creator, but can only publish to the GameSalad Arcade and utilize the GameSalad Viewer for native device testing.
PRO users have full, unrestricted access to all publishing platforms and receive priority technical support.
Here are links to the discounts and options available. Must be logged into your GameSalad user account in order to view these pages – no payment necessary to set up an account:
https://gamesalad.com/download/
https://get.gamesalad.com/upgrade
http://gamesalad.com/creator/pro
https://get.gamesalad.com/discounts
Computer Animation Software
Autodesk Maya (FREE for students enrolled in k-12 or college level schools via the Autodesk website)(30day Free Trial)
Autodesk Maya LT (A professional 3D tool with a price that fits an indie game maker’s budget)(30day Free Trial and just $35p/m)
Checkout the comparison from Autodesk and see what is right for you!
Autodesk 3D Studio Max (FREE for students enrolled in a k-12 or college level schools via the Autodesk website)
3D Studio Max – for Indie users (are you eligible?) GO HERE
Autodesk Mudbox (FREE for students enrolled in a k-12 or college level schools via the Autodesk website)
*Use your current school’s name if you are enrolled in k-12 or college. We are not an accredited school and therefor do not qualify for use in student rates for these programs.
Graphic Design Software
Right now Adobe is offering their Creative Cloud platform free for students and teachers who already have an account! This is for a limited time due to the global issue we are all facing. Go Check it out!
Adobe Photoshop ($9 a month from Adobe) Adobe Illustrator ($9 a month from Adobe)
Students DO NOT need to have Photoshop or Illustrator to take full advantage of our game design training as we provide all the artwork needed to follow along. However, we have tons of amazing Photoshop tutorials for students who want to learn how to create their own game art. If you don’t have Adobe Photoshop already and don’t want to pay $9 a month, you can always use Pixlr which is completely free and very similar to Photoshop. The same can be said for Adobe Illustrator, with so many free competitors out there we recommend trying out Inkscape first.
How old do students have to be?
The School of Game Design has students of all ages and skill levels from all over the world. We have seen amazing work produced by students as young as 8 and as old as 80. You’re never too young or too old to learn something new! Our video tutorials are simple and fun to watch for everyone because we are passionate about creating training that anyone can master. Students start off with the absolute basics following step by step instructions to retain the tools and knowledge needed moving forward to more advanced training. We are proud to say even our advanced training is fun and easy to learn!
If you are under the age of 13 we require that a parent or guardian has setup your account and monitors your access for safe internet use.
Where are classes held and How?
What can I do with my training?
What type of computer do I need?
Do I receive a diploma/certificate when I complete my training?
Our site is fully secured via Godaddy SSL
FAQ
Do I have to buy any software?
The professional game design software Unity, which is used by major studios all over the world to make AAA games is completely free for students to use. The 2D game engine we teach; GameSalad, is a great way to start learning game development. GameSalad is used by game hobbyists, and smaller studios to make great 2D games. GameSalad Basic is only $19 a month with no contract or $17 a month with an annual contract. This means if you only want to try it out for a month you would not be locked into a contract for either option. You can also try GameSalad free for 5 days without giving your credit card info by going to this page and creating an account to download the trial. You can also see if you qualify for student discounted options. At the beginning of each training section we take the time to explain where to download the necessary software and how to install it on your Mac or PC.
Below is a list of the software we teach and their related costs:
Game Design Software
Unity (FREE) 2D/3D Engine
GameSalad: For those of you who are starting your training with our GameSalad courses we have a coupon code for you to use when registering for your GameSalad account! This code gives students 25% off one year of GameSalad (both yearly and monthly).
GameSalad Coupon: sogd2020
GameSalad Basic – ($19 p/month) or ($17 p/month with annual contract)
GameSalad PRO – ($30 p/month no contract) or ($25 p/month with annual contract) See if you qualify for a student discount!
Basic vs Pro plans:
BASIC users can use all the behaviors and functions of GameSalad Creator, but can only publish to the GameSalad Arcade and utilize the GameSalad Viewer for native device testing.
PRO users have full, unrestricted access to all publishing platforms and receive priority technical support.
Here are links to the discounts and options available. Must be logged into your GameSalad user account in order to view these pages – no payment necessary to set up an account:
https://gamesalad.com/download/
https://get.gamesalad.com/upgrade
http://gamesalad.com/creator/pro
https://get.gamesalad.com/discounts
Computer Animation Software
Autodesk Maya (FREE for students enrolled in k-12 or college level schools via the Autodesk website)(30day Free Trial)
Autodesk Maya LT (A professional 3D tool with a price that fits an indie game maker’s budget)(30day Free Trial and just $35p/m)
Checkout the comparison from Autodesk and see what is right for you!
Autodesk 3D Studio Max (FREE for students enrolled in a k-12 or college level schools via the Autodesk website)
3D Studio Max – for Indie users (are you eligible?) GO HERE
Autodesk Mudbox (FREE for students enrolled in a k-12 or college level schools via the Autodesk website)
*Use your current school’s name if you are enrolled in k-12 or college. We are not an accredited school and therefor do not qualify for use in student rates for these programs.
Graphic Design Software
Right now Adobe is offering their Creative Cloud platform free for students and teachers who already have an account! This is for a limited time due to the global issue we are all facing. Go Check it out!
Adobe Photoshop ($9 a month from Adobe) Adobe Illustrator ($9 a month from Adobe)
Students DO NOT need to have Photoshop or Illustrator to take full advantage of our game design training as we provide all the artwork needed to follow along. However, we have tons of amazing Photoshop tutorials for students who want to learn how to create their own game art. If you don’t have Adobe Photoshop already and don’t want to pay $9 a month, you can always use Pixlr which is completely free and very similar to Photoshop. The same can be said for Adobe Illustrator, with so many free competitors out there we recommend trying out Inkscape first.
How old do students have to be?
Where are classes held and How?
What can I do with my training?
What type of computer do I need?
Do I receive a diploma/certificate when I complete my training?
Our site is fully secured via Godaddy SSL