18-month master’s program
Video Game Design & Development
An intensive 18-month master’s program to discover and master video game development pipelines.
A program that combines art, design, and technology, integrating artificial intelligence to optimize workflows, generate content, and enhance the gaming experience.
From asset creation to the final gameplay, the master’s program trains professionals capable of working across various departments in video game production, offering the same comprehensive education as a three-year degree program but in a shorter timeframe and with a practical, immersive approach.
Course Description
The Master’s in Video Games + AI is an intensive program that condenses the comprehensive training needed to work in the video game industry into 18 months, combining art, technology, and visual programming.
The program trains game artists and technical artists to work in professional production teams, covering all stages from concept art to the final gameplay.
The course is divided into two modules:
Foundations: Focused on learning the artistic and technical fundamentals of video game production: modeling, texturing, environments, and asset creation, as well as the principles of game design and an introduction to using Unreal Engine.
Advanced: Focused on specialization and the creation of complete games, developed in collaboration with the CGI and Concept Art courses. Students focus on level design, lighting, cinematics, gameplay systems, and AI tools for automating animations, setups, and asset generation.
Thanks to a full-time program featuring 8-hour daily classes and instructors who are always present in the classroom, students tackle the entire game development pipeline, working on group thesis projects intended for competitions such as The Rookies – Game of the Year, the Notte dei Draghi d’Oro , and Milan Games Week.
Key Competencies
Game Development Pipeline: A Comprehensive Understanding of 3D Production Workflows, from Asset Creation to Gameplay.
Game art and asset design: modeling, texturing, and shading of environments, characters, and interactive objects.
Level design and world-building: designing narrative spaces, lighting, and coherent gameplay paths.
Game design and narrative design: gameplay balancing, mechanics design, and interactive storytelling.
Unreal Engine and Blueprints: Developing Levels, Interactions, and Real-Time Cinematics.
Video Game Animations and Cinematics: Rig Management, Motion Capture, and Integrated Narrative Sequences.
AI tools for asset and content creation: procedural generation, texturing, layout, and automated animations.
Cross-course integration: collaboration with the Concept Art, CGI, Compositing, and Film Directing courses to create comprehensive projects.
Optimization and Performance: Asset Management, LOD, and Lighting for Real-Time Productions.
Team Production & Pipeline Management: Working in multidisciplinary teams and managing projects using version control and task management tools.
Daniele Martinello
COURSE DIRECTOR
Daniele Martinello has over 25 years of experience as a technical artist in the field of CGI. After starting out in the world of computer graphics applied to infrastructure, he turned his attention to CGI in the film and video game industries.
He has been teaching at the Side Academy campus for more than 5 years, instructing students in Rig, Unreal Engine 5, and FX.
He has worked on projects for international luxury brands and develops innovative solutions for the VFX and video game industries at Side Animation’s production facility.
How to participate: In-person or hybrid? Choose the option that's right for you!
In-person
The traditional format involves daily attendance in the classroom: the instructor is always present, and each class takes place in one of the academy’s classrooms, featuring theoretical sessions, labs, and real-time practical reviews.
This format fosters direct collaboration with classmates and faculty, provides immediate access to equipment, and offers an immersive experience in professional study environments.
Hybrid
To offer greater flexibility, a hybrid track is also available that combines online learning with in-person participation: There will be workshops with guest speakers or specialized labs that can be attended in person. This model allows participants to take part in some of the activities remotely while still attending in-person classroom and lab sessions on-site.
ALL LESSONS AND WORKSHOPS ARE RECORDED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.
Student Gallery
Laboratories and Technologies
- Motion capture set for character and creature animation
Virtual Production Workshop for Real-Time Filming with LED Walls and Green Screens
Photogrammetry and 3D Scanning Studio for the Creation of Realistic Digital Assets
MetaHuman and the digital human pipeline for character design and performance
FX in Niagara for simulations and particle effects
Spaces dedicated to sound design and video editing for the editing of gameplay sequences and trailers
The course includes intensive workshops, exercises based on real-world case studies, and collaboration with industry professionals and firms to reinforce the skills learned.
Experience and Awards
The Rookies – Game of the Year
For their final project, students will be divided into groups to design and develop COMPLETE video games. These will then be uploaded to THE ROOKIES platform, offering them their first real opportunity to get noticed by professionals from around the world.
The Night of the Golden Dragons
An annual event organized by Side Academy during the Venice Film Festival.
An evening of celebration dedicated to the best student projects, featuring live showcases, screenings, and awards for excellence in various areas of digital production.
Milan Games Week
Participation in Milan Games Week, offering students the opportunity to showcase their projects and connect directly with studios, publishers, and industry professionals.
The best projects from the video game course are selected to be presented to the public during the event.
JUDGES OF THE ROOKIES
Every year, the projects submitted by Side Academy are evaluated by an international jury of professionals selected by The Rookies, composed of artists, game designers, and supervisors from the world’s leading production studios.
The judges include representatives from companies such as Naughty Dog, Riot Games, Epic Games, Blizzard, and Sony Santa Monica, ensuring an evaluation standard in line with the current landscape of the video game and CGI industries.
Side Academy is a The Rookies-certified school.
The Rookie Awards 2025 - MOUSE GUARD
Side Academy is among the Italian academies present in the Game of the Year category of the Rookie Awards , the main international competition dedicated to young talents in the videogame and CGI sector.
Among the projects presented, Mouse Guard —created by students of the course—was officially published on the platform, gaining international visibility.
Projects published on The Rookies
Virtual Production Set
Presentation at Milan Games Week
Do you have any questions about which program is best for you?
Request more information and schedule a call with one of our Admission Advisors, a campus tour, or a one-on-one meeting with a faculty member.Course Structure
FORM
FIELD OF STUDY
OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS
Foundations
Fundamentals of Game Art and 3D Development
Introduction to the video game production pipeline and the fundamental principles of game design. Students learn the basics of modeling, texturing, and lighting for environments and characters, and begin creating assets optimized for game engines such as Unreal Engine. Students study the principles of gameplay, level design, and real-time lighting, while already incorporating basic artificial intelligence tools for generating assets and reference materials.
Advanced
Advanced Video Game Development and Production
A technical and artistic exploration of professional video game production. Students work on the creation of a complete project, developing skills in blueprints, gameplay systems, cinematics, VFX, and performance optimization. During this phase, students explore the principles of dynamic lighting, AI behavior, and interaction, while also experimenting with AI tools for procedural design and the automation of production processes. The program culminates in a group thesis project, in collaboration with the CGI, Compositing, and Concept Art courses, supervised by Side Academy and Side Animation Studio, and eligible for submission to the Rookie Awards – Game of the Year, the Notte dei Draghi d’Oro, and the Venice Film Festival.
MASTER'S PROGRAM
FOUNDATIONS
Introduction to Video Game Production: Development Pipelines, Roles, and Workflows.
Fundamentals of 3D Modeling: Creating Assets, Environments, and Interactive Objects in Maya and Blender.
Texturing and Shading: PBR Materials with Substance Painter and Achieving a Realistic Look.
Lighting and Color: Principles of Photography and Lighting for Gaming Environments.
Unreal Engine – Basics: Interface, Asset Import/Export, and Project Setup.
Game Design and Gameplay Fundamentals: Rules, Pacing, and Balancing the Game Experience.
Level design and world-building: designing interactive spaces and narrative paths.
Introduction to AI in Game Development: Generating Concepts, Environments, and Materials.
Cinematic Sequences and Interactive Storytelling: An Introduction to Real-Time Sequences.
Supervised mini-project: creation of a small playable scene or environmental demo.
Objective: To acquire the artistic and technical foundations of video game production and to understand the complete structure of an interactive 3D project.
ADVANCED
Advanced development pipeline: management of complex projects and collaborative workflows.
Blueprints and visual scripting: creating gameplay logic and dynamic interactions.
Gameplay systems: mechanics, triggers, AI behavior, and game interfaces.
Advanced lighting and real-time optimization: management of dynamic lighting, LOD, and performance.
Cinematics and Storytelling: Directing in Unreal Engine, Camera Setup, and Motion Capture.
FX and real-time simulations: particle effects, cloth simulation, smoke, explosions, and procedural environmental effects.
AI-driven tools: procedural generation of assets, motion, and level design using artificial intelligence.
Sound design and interactive mixing: audio integration in Unreal and soundscapes.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: working as part of a team with CGI, compositing, and concept art specialists to develop a game or a complete cinematic sequence.
Group final project: creation of a video game or real-time cinematic sequence, supervised by the faculty of Side Academy and Side Animation Studio.
Objective: To master the entire video game development process, creating professional-level real-time experiences and integrating AI and technology into creative workflows.
Software & Tools
Unreal Engine
Maya / Blender
ZBrush
Substance 3D Painter / Designer
Houdini
Marmoset Toolbag
MetaHuman Creator and Photogrammetry
Career Opportunities
The course prepares students to work in various fields within the video game industry, CGI, and interactive production.
Game Designer and Level Designer
3D Artist for Environments and Characters
Technical Artist or FX Artist (Niagara)
Lighting and Lookdev Artist for real-time
Gameplay Programmer or Blueprint Developer
Character Artist / Digital Human Artist
Virtual Production and Unreal Operator
TD Pipeline and Production Technical Support
Previs / Cinematic Artist for real-time sequences
Registration
Registration opens: March 2026
Course start date: November 9, 2026
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Admission: Interview and creative portfolio review
The course is also available in a hybrid format: synchronous online classes and intensive on-site workshops.
FAQ:
Absolutely! All courses start with the basics, so no artistic or programming skills are required. We want to train new artists regardless of their educational background.
With the HYBRID format, we allow those who need to take the course ONLINE to also have the opportunity to participate in certain in-person labs, workshops, or events.
We recommend having a PC or Mac at home that can run 3D software, so that students can continue working on their projects from home. For those taking the online course, you’ll also need: an internet connection, a graphics tablet, a microphone to communicate with instructors, and headphones. The webcam, on the other hand, is optional.
Yes, all students will be given access to the classrooms during the afternoon. There will also always be a teacher present to help the students if they have any questions or encounter any problems with their projects.
Every software program has a special student version; simply log in using the credentials provided by Side Academy, and you’ll be able to download and install the software on your computer. This allows every student to continue working on projects and assignments even when they’re at home or taking online courses.