2D Game Development

Game Academy, Level one

Game Academy is an award-winning, three-level game design and computer science program for high school students looking for college preparatory STEM opportunities.

In the first course, 2D Game Development, you will code and design your first video game prototype using Unity3D—an interactive media engine used widely within the game industry. Coursework includes C# programming with Unity3D, 2D pixel art and sprite animation, digital music and sound FX, and narrative writing.

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Details

Pre-requisites:

No previous experience in programming, art, music or narrative writing required – but must have a strong interest to learn!

Schedule:

  • Full school year: Starting late October through mid June
  • 6 hours/week
  • Choose to attend 2x after school weekly or all day Saturdays

Options:

In-Person Classes @ the Urban Arts Learning Lab:

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4-6:30pm
  • or Saturdays, 10am-5pm

Remote Class on Discord:

  • Wednesdays & Fridays, 4-6:30pm

Eligibility

  • Students entering 9th, 10th or 11th grade in Fall 2025
  • Students looking for a fun, rigorous computer science course that will prepare you to apply for creative tech and/or STEM college programs.

What You Will Learn:

  • Unity3D 
  • C# programming 
  • Pixel Art
  • Sprite animation
  • Digital Music & FX with Bandlab
  • Narrative writing and Character development

Free Resources:

Our tuition-free model allows our admissions process to focus exclusively on recruiting the students with the strongest interest to learn, regardless of family income.

  • Snacks and meals for in-person courses
  • Laptops provided for in-class use or to borrow for remote learning
  • Metrocards, as needed
  • Access to Discord community for online learning and support
  • College Access services

Course Map

Unity & C# Coding

In weekly coding lessons, you will replicate, modify and create mini-games to learn the fundamentals of programming.  

Student at a laptop coding a game

Art Forms

You will also learn one of four essential art forms weekly:

  1. Game design & theory
  2. Narrative & storytelling
  3. Pixel art & animation
  4. Music & Sound FX
A student creating music on a laptop.

Final Project

Your final project will be a game prototype, designed by you from scratch – including original art, music, narrative and code.

Student working on a game design project

The Game Academy Journey

01

2D Game Dev (You are here!)

  • Create 2D games with Unity
  • Intro to C# programming
  • Game design theory
  • Characters + narrative
  • Music + SFX
  • Pixel art
02

3D Game Dev

  • Create 3D games with Unity
  • Advanced C# programming
  • 3D Art / CAD with Blender
  • Team game design
  • College access & mentoring
03

Game Studio Capstone

  • Plan and run your own game studio
  • Choose a role: Creative director, Art director, Lead programmer, Project manager etc.
  • College app & scholarship support
  • Industry Mentors

Are you ready to make games?

The school year program will open for new applications later this year.  To get notified, sign up for our mailing below: 

A top down view of a classroom table. 4 students collaborate on game concept art.