Learn how to create your own original games on the latest state-of-the-art technology. The National High School Game Academy (NHSGA) allows disciplined, passionate, and dedicated high school students to experience video game development using current industry best practices.

Non-credit

Residential

Commuter

Accepts International Students

Financial Aid

Final project

Sharing methods and paradigms used in Carnegie Mellon's Masters of Entertainment Technology (M.E.T.) graduate program, the NHSGA focuses on an innovative blend of hands-on team projects combined with in-depth traditional classwork, lecture, and discussion. As a verification of competence, homework is assigned and evaluated as the student progresses through the curriculum. Designed to elevate a student’s rigor, working process, and discipline, the NHSGA prepares students for their college education. As a culmination of the six weeks, student teams create an original game prototype from pitch to final playable demo.

Who should apply?

The NHSGA encourages students interested in any of the following to apply: VISUAL ARTS, MUSIC and AUDIO, GAME DESIGN, and SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT. Prior experience in these areas is helpful but not necessary.

Students will be encouraged to expand their own creative possibilities in a unique blend of left- and right-brain college-level work. Every student accepted to the program can expect to contribute to every area of development while maintaining their faculty-defined role on a multidisciplinary team.

Students are expected to remain fully engaged throughout the six-week program, producing the quantity and quality of work required for meaningful team collaboration, attending in person every day, and arriving on time. If the student misses a critical amount of days, regardless of the cause, or fails to complete the requisite quantity or quality of homework, this can result in removal from the program without a refund.

Curriculum

Carnegie Mellon University’s teaching philosophy is that all students learn by doing. The NHSGA enthusiastically embraces that philosophy, and every student will be taught the skills needed to develop video games.

In Weeks 1-2, students attend classes that teach best practices and core skills needed in game development. In Week 1, every student takes classes in the following disciplines: 2D and 3D art, software development, music composition, audio fx, game design, production, team management, and interactive narrative. All students receive in-depth instruction in all areas during that week. Every student is evaluated and either remains on their current track or is switched to a track which better suits their skillset before Week 2. One week is little time to get a sense of every student, so delivery of homework in that week is critical. Although homework assignments are not graded in a traditional sense (A, B, and so forth), their submission is required, and the faculty give feedback. Failure to submit homework can result in removal from the program without a refund.

In Week 2, students hone their skills in the role or roles to which the faculty believes they will be assigned in the group projects. These roles are ultimately assigned by the faculty based on the students’ demonstrated skill levels in their classwork.

In Weeks 3-6, students are divided into teams. No student is guaranteed any specific role on any team. Roles are assigned with the goal of creating the best possible teams for the current project. One student on each team is chosen to be the team’s producer (a.k.a. project manager) in addition to their assigned production role. All other students contribute in their roles as assigned by faculty. Each team consists of two programmers, two visual artists, and one composer/audio designer. By the end of the program, the student will have been assigned to two different teams and will have participated in building two different games.

This program is a rigorous and demanding six-week experience. Full participation from the first day of orientation (the Sunday before the start of class) through the final presentations (on Friday of the last day of class) is mandatory. Students must not commit to activities outside the program (examples include: music lessons, team practices, online classes requiring additional homework). The NHSGA demands a student's full-time commitment while enrolled.

Curriculum Includes:

WEEKS 1-2

Lectures and Workshops – Skill Building

In the first two weeks of the program, class instruction consists of daily lectures and workshops centered on crucial skills needed to build a video game. Topics include: programming in Unity, 2D art, 3D art, project management, interactive storytelling, game design, animation, sound design/music composition. (Please note: All topics receive equal weight in week one. In week two, specialization may occur based on the student's demonstrated skill level.)

Assignments – Putting New Skills into Practice

During the first two weeks, students have assigned homework every night from every class attended that day. We average between 30-35 total homework assignments over the first two weeks. This works out to between three and four hours of homework every night. The NHSGA instructors evaluate the homework to assess student competence and to inform team project assignments. A typical day includes six hours of classes and three hours of homework. Homework submission and regular, in-person attendance is required for continued participation in the program.

WEEKS 3-6

Collaborative Project #1 – First Round

Student teams work on a one-week “Lightning Round” project to better understand how games are created. Role assignments are thoughtfully made by faculty based on student assessments.

Collaborative Project #2 – Second Round

After the first collaborative project, new teams build an original video game. In this project, teams are carefully selected by faculty to maximize each student’s potential for success based on performance observations. This project begins with a pitch process where the team presents three ideas to faculty, with one selection chosen for the final project. The team builds their video game from scratch using the expertise acquired in their classwork and through daily hands-on mentoring by faculty.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING TEAMS, TEAMWORK AND TEAM ASSIGNMENTS

• Teams consist of two (2) programmers, two (2) artists, and one (1) sound designer/music composer.
• Team roles are assigned by faculty based on competence displayed in class, interviews with faculty, and (for the second project) teamwork as demonstrated during the Lightning Round.
• Students are expected to perform the responsibilities of their assigned role with the understanding that team workloads assume equal contribution from each team member.
• Work may not be done remotely. In-person, on-time attendance is mandatory for all program activities.
• When an applicant applies to the program, they should carefully consider what team role they wish to hold and assemble their application accordingly. Applicants may apply to the NHSGA as:
  • a programmer (Software Development track)
  • artist (Visual Arts/Graphic Design track)
  • sound designer (Sound Design/Music Composition track)
  • generalist (Game Generalist track)
    • Each category implies what team role the applicant seeks to fill. Generalists are those who believe their overall skill set would benefit their NHSGA teams, but are not yet certain which role fits them best. Many students find success letting us guide their development in this way. 
    • If the applicant chooses a specific role when they apply, they will be evaluated against those other applicants who have applied for that role.
    • No team role is guaranteed as faculty prioritizes balanced, capable teams. For example, if a student applied as a programmer yet displays a talent for sound design, they may be assigned to a project as the sound designer.

Assignments – Workload

After the game project work begins, we historically find teams often work at least eight hours every day driven by their own enthusiasm to complete their project. Teams often work on the weekends as well. Teams strive to produce quality work that can be submitted with their college applications with confidence and pride.

Presentation and College Prep – Game Time

At the end of the six weeks, student teams present their games to an audience of faculty, students, and guests with feedback provided.
Games will be all-original ideas, playable on hardware assigned by faculty, and designed to become a portfolio piece students can use in the college admission process.

Single Session

Jun 21 - Aug 02

6 weeks

Residential

12529 USD

The cost includes:

• Tuition for college-level classes taught by accomplished Carnegie Mellon University faculty.
• Housing on a vibrant and welcoming college campus. Residential students only.
• Dining Services that offer diverse eating options that emphasize health, wellness, and delicious food! Dining options include (but not limited to) vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and Halal.
• University fees for the use of the campus health center, fitness center, library, Student Success Center, and so much more!
• Transportation Pass to attend an organized program or extra-curricular events.

Additional Fees:

• Application Fee - $50
• Enrollment Deposit - $800

Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable.

Financial Aid

Scholarships

Full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and dining are available to students demonstrating financial need. You can elect to be considered for a scholarship within the online application.

Please note: International students are not eligible for scholarship consideration.

Scholarship Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be available to attend the entirety of the program
• Demonstrate financial need

Financial Need

Students in any of the below categories are considered to demonstrate financial need:

• Students who have received or are eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.
• Students who are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program (FRPL).
• Students whose family income falls within or near the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
• Students who are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g. TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
• Students whose family receives public assistance.
• Students who live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or are homeless.
• Students who are a ward of the state or an orphan.
• Students who can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.

Documentation of financial need is required to be considered for scholarship opportunities in all available programs.

Documentation required includes tax documents or a completed NACAC Application Fee Waiver signed by your high school guidance department.