Games Design Academy
Learn to Create Games with Kippie and The Nerve Centre 🚀✨
The Games Design Academy is a unique, free training programme for young people aged 16–19 with an interest in gaming, art, and games design, facilitated by Kippie in partnership with The Nerve Centre.
Through practical workshops, mentoring, and real-world projects, you will gain the skills, experience, and confidence needed to take your first steps into the games industry or simply explore your creative potential.
Under the mentorship of professionals working in Northern Ireland’s games industry, you will have the opportunity to see how games are developed in real-world settings while teaming up with other young people to design, code, and develop your own games.
Whether you’re a budding developer, an aspiring artist, or simply curious about how games are made, this academy is for you!
📩 For questions, you can contact:
Jennifer McAlorum
Screen Academies Manager
j.mcalorum@nervecentre.org
What You’ll Learn
✨ Industry Insights
Meet local game developers, lecturers, and freelancers working in Northern Ireland’s games industry, gaining first-hand advice, inspiration, and insights into their journeys.
✨ Diverse Skills
Explore all areas of game development, including idea generation, programming, sound design, 2D and 3D art, and level design, using beginner-friendly industry tools.
✨ Real-World Experience
Work under the guidance of industry mentors to develop practical skills, learn the development pipeline used in studios, and understand how games go from concept to completion.
Why Join?
✅ Create Your Own Game
Build a project from scratch, adding to your creative portfolio.
✅ Meet Industry Mentors
Get advice and feedback from professionals currently working in the industry.
✅ Build In-Demand Skills
Develop skills in coding, design thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
✅ Make New Connections
Meet other young people who share your interests in games, art, and technology.
✅ Explore Career Pathways
See if a future in the games industry is right for you.
