Game Design & Storytelling
Master the art of game narrative and design in 8 intensive weeks. Learn character development, level design principles, player psychology, and interactive storytelling while collaborating with Canadian indie developers on real projects.
The Creative Foundation
Our Game Design & Storytelling Workshop fills a critical gap in game development education - the creative skills that make games memorable. In 8 intensive weeks, you'll master the art of crafting compelling narratives and designing engaging gameplay experiences.
Why Game Design Matters
Technical skills get you in the door, but design skills make you indispensable. Canadian studios increasingly value developers who understand both the technical and creative aspects of game development. This workshop bridges that gap.
Core Design Skills
Creative Collaboration
Workshop Projects
Creative Learning Journey
8 weeks of intensive creative workshops, collaborative projects, and real-world application. Each phase builds your design thinking and storytelling capabilities while working on increasingly complex creative challenges.
Design Foundations
Explore the fundamentals of game design thinking, narrative structures, and player psychology. Learn how successful games create emotional connections and memorable experiences.
Character & Narrative
Deep dive into character development, dialogue systems, and interactive storytelling. Create compelling characters and narratives that drive player engagement.
Level & System Design
Master the art of level design, pacing, and game systems. Learn how to create spaces and mechanics that tell stories and guide player emotions.
Collaborative Production
Work directly with Canadian indie developers on real projects. Apply all learned skills in professional collaborative environments with industry mentorship.
Creative Workshop Methodology
Iterative Creation
Build, test, and refine creative concepts through rapid prototyping and peer feedback cycles.
Industry Mentorship
Learn from established Canadian game designers and narrative specialists working on shipped titles.
Real-World Application
Work on actual indie projects with established developers, building professional experience.
Your Creative Transformation
Track your evolution from aspiring designer to professional creative contributor. Here's the precise creative development timeline and the portfolio you'll build.
Creative Skill Development
Week 2: Design Foundation
Master core design principles, understand player psychology, and analyze successful Canadian games for design patterns.
Week 4: Narrative Mastery
Complete character-driven interactive fiction project, master dialogue systems, and understand branching narrative structures.
Week 6: Level Design Expertise
Build comprehensive level design portfolio, understand environmental storytelling, and master pacing principles.
Week 8: Professional Collaboration
Complete collaborative project with indie developers, deliver professional design documentation, and present to industry panel.
Creative Portfolio Projects
Creative Competencies
Career Pathways
Creative Workshop Success Indicators
Perfect for Creative Minds
Our Game Design & Storytelling Workshop attracts creative professionals, writers, artists, and aspiring designers who want to master the art of interactive entertainment and narrative-driven experiences.
Writers & Storytellers
Authors, screenwriters, and creative writers who want to transition into interactive media and learn how storytelling works in games.
Artists & Designers
Visual artists, graphic designers, and creative professionals who want to understand how art serves gameplay and narrative in interactive experiences.
Aspiring Game Designers
Passionate gamers or creative professionals who dream of designing games but need structured learning in design thinking and industry practices.
Creative Challenges We Address
❌ "I have great ideas but don't know how to structure them for games"
Creative professionals often struggle translating linear storytelling skills to interactive, non-linear game narratives.
✅ Our Solution: Structured workshops in interactive narrative design + hands-on practice
❌ "Game development seems too technical for creative people"
Many artists and writers feel intimidated by the technical aspects of game development.
✅ Our Solution: Focus on creative skills first + collaboration with technical developers
❌ "I don't know how to break into the game industry creatively"
Creative professionals lack understanding of game industry roles and portfolio requirements.
✅ Our Solution: Industry connections + professional portfolio development + mentorship
Creative Prerequisites
Perfect Fit If You:
Enhanced Learning If You Have:
*No game development experience required!
Career Directions
Creative Tools & Methods
Master professional-grade design tools and collaborative methodologies used by leading game studios. Learn industry-standard workflows for creative development and team collaboration.
Design & Planning
Miro & Figma
Collaborative design thinking and wireframing for level layouts and game flow
Twine & Ink
Interactive fiction creation and branching narrative development
Documentation
Notion & Confluence
Professional game design documents and collaborative knowledge management
Google Workspace
Real-time collaborative writing and creative iteration workflows
Prototyping
Bitsy & Ren'Py
Simple game creation tools for rapid narrative and design prototyping
Paper & Digital
Traditional sketching combined with digital mockup tools for concept development
Creative Development Process
Design Thinking Framework
Industry Integration
Canadian Indie Scene
Professional Workflows
Portfolio Development
Creative Innovation Methods
Experimental Design
Explore cutting-edge approaches to game narrative and design. Learn from experimental games, interactive art, and emerging media to develop your unique creative voice.
Workshop Structure
Creative Community
Launch Your Creative Journey
Flexible scheduling options and accessible pricing make professional game design education available to creative professionals. Choose the creative track that matches your timeline and goals.
Workshop Formats
Daytime Creative
FOCUSEDIntensive 8-week daytime workshop perfect for creative professionals making a full career transition or freelancers with flexible schedules.
Evening Creative
Extended 10-week evening workshop designed for working professionals who want to transition into game design while maintaining current employment.
Investment Details
Payment Options
*Valid student ID required
Creative Package Includes
Creative Support
Begin Your Creative Journey
Creative Portfolio
Submit creative portfolio samples and complete design thinking assessment.
Creative Consultation
Discuss creative goals with our design mentors and plan your learning path.
Format Selection
Choose daytime or evening format, finalize payment plan, and receive welcome materials.
Create & Collaborate
Begin your creative transformation with expert guidance and industry collaboration.
Master Game Design & Storytelling
Transform your creativity into professional game design skills in just 8 weeks. Next daytime cohort starts September 17, 2025. Limited to 8 creative minds.
Complete Development Mastery
18-week comprehensive program covering technical and creative aspects.
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