This is a three-week residential academy that is intended to teach high school students entering 12th grade in the fall and high school graduates the fundamentals of the video game creation process. Students will build games from a technical/engineering prospective, as well as treating games as a medium for creative expression. All students will start by learning the foundations of good game design, including creating and iterating paper prototypes. From there, artists and programmers will take separate classes that speak to their particular skill sets, and then interdisciplinary teams will be formed for the remainder of the academy. These teams will brainstorm game designs, and then construct their game from start to finish.

This summer enrichment program is presented by the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Students who have completed this program have gone on to apply to the Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences Major.

Application Information

Prerequisites:
For a programmer’s slot include some experience in using an object-oriented programming language. Examples include C++, Java, ActionScript, and Python. Students who have been accepted into the academy have taken high school computer program classes or visited web sites like python.org and pygame.org.

For an artist’s slot include some experience in generating 2D digital art. Example programs include Photoshop and Illustrator. Students who have been accepted into the academy have taken a media imaging studio in high school or know how to use Photoshop.

All applicants are welcome to include any additional comments when submitting an application along with SAT or PSAT scores.

2009 Computer Game Development Academy Application Form (57KB PDF file)

Cost: $4,200 per student per session. Cost includes residential room and board meals.

Application Deadline: Applications are currently being accepted. Students are encouraged to apply. Once a decision has been made on applicants, families will be contacted. Upon acceptance to the program a non-refundable deposit of $840.00 and the below accepted student forms will be required in order to reserve your space in the program. Final payment is due by July 6, 2009. If you have any questions, please contact Kari Bennett at (518) 276-6431.

NOTE: Applications for the Computer Game Development Academy are accepted on a rolling basis. If you already applied and have not heard from us, then your application is still under review and you will hear from us soon.

Program Details

View Summer Photos from the 2007 Academy

Student Stories - Noah Schnapp:
I was a student in the Computer Game Development Academy in the summer of 2006 and returned to be an art TA for the same program in 2007 and 2008. I had a lot of fun at the summer enrichment program both as a student and as a TA. The academy was very informative on the process of making a game, including concepts and dos and donts; it also taught how to actually create something you can play. The first week consisted of theory and lectures on how to program as well as how to design the art. The second week was spent making the actual game. Aside from the in-class time being very involved and fun, students also had a very good time outside class (I speak as a former student and from the perspective of a TA/RA who lived in the dorms with them). Outside of class, we took field trips to video game production companies and toured the RPI campus. Being at RPI for two weeks allowed me to familiarize myself with the campus and decide if it was truly the place for me. Last year, a student from the 2007 summer academy contacted me and asked some questions about RPI because he was considering applying here. Overall, the Computer Game Development Academy was a great experience. I know this not only because of my own personal experience but also because there are several other students from the 2006 summer session who are now enrolled at RPI.

Activity Outline
Day 1 -- Arrival and check in - drop off at Rensselaer Union - welcome dinner - counselors meeting with campers
Day 2 -- Game Writing Fundamentals
Day 3 -- Game Design/Mechanics Fundamentals
Day 4 -- Python Review, Engine Introduction/Unified Visual Design, HUD
Day 5 -- Blitting Objects, Handling Input/Proper Sprite Scaling
Day 6 -- Collision Detection/Transparency Effects
Day 7 -- (Saturday - trip to Grafton State Park)
Day 8 -- (Sunday - trip to Great Escape Amusement Park)
Day 9 -- Brainstorming Session, Design Refinement
Day 10 -- Phototyping Studio
Day 11 -- Development Studio
Day 12 -- Development Studio
Day 13 -- Demonstration Showcase followed by departure

Sample Day Schedule
8am - 9am -- Breakfast (Russell Sage Dining Hall)
9am - Noon -- Game Development Studio (Russell Sage VAST Computer Lab)
12pm - 1 pm -- Lunch
1pm - 3pm -- Programmer/Arts Studio
3pm - 3:30pm -- Break
3:30pm -5pm -- Programmer/Arts Studio
5pm - Dinner (Russell Sage Dining Hall) and evening activities

Accepted Student Forms

Registration form for accepted students (60KB PDF file)
Check list for completing Medical History Form - Residential (53KB PDF file)
Medical History Form - Residential (75KB PDF file)
Medication Sheet Form (54KB PDF file)
Self Medication Waiver (52KB PDF file)
Authorization to Visit - Residential (162KB PDF file)
Meningitis Fact Sheet (52KB PDF file)
Meningitis Summer Response Form (58KB PDF file)

Note for Summer program participants Medication Sheet Form and Self Medication Waiver: For children who do not have any prescriptions the parent and doctor should sign the Medication sheet for the three over the counter medications listed so they can be administered by the Health Services Office. If your son/daughter does not have any medications to self administer then the Self Medication Form is not applicable.

Location: The academy will be held on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

Transportation: The Albany International Airport and Amtrak Train Station are each located 20 minutes from campus. Car rentals are available from both the airport and train station. All students must furnish their own transportation to and from campus.

Program Inquiries/Questions: For further information about the program, Request Information, or contact, Mike Gunther, Program Manager for Recruitment, (518) 276-8351, gunthm@rpi.edu.

MAIL OR FAX MATERIALS TO:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Attn: Outreach Programs Office
110 8th Street – Low Center Suite 4011
Troy, NY 12180-3590
(518) 276-6431 (Voice)
(518) 276-8738 (Fax)
An email will be sent to confirm receipt of materials.

Special Needs: If you have any special needs please contact Kari Bennett at (518) 276-6431.

Application/Registration Questions & Answers: If you have any application/registration questions, please contact Kari Bennett at (518) 276-6431.