General admission
17 May 2026
Latest verified general application deadline
In-person Program
Game Development High School Course
Build a playable 3D game with Unity and C# while exploring modeling, level design, scripting, and professional game-development workflows.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
In-person Program
Game Development High School Course
Build a playable 3D game with Unity and C# while exploring modeling, level design, scripting, and professional game-development workflows.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
What Succeed checks
We review public program details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.
What Last verified means
Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Program dates, prices and availability can still change.
How official sources are used
Succeed uses official provider information where available, then rewrites it into a student-facing summary for comparison and planning.
Why some dates are reference dates
If the current cycle is not available, Succeed may show the latest verified cycle dates so you can understand typical timing.
Succeed is independent from this provider unless a partnership is clearly stated.
Game Development Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Closed
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; minimum 3.0 GPA
Age range / Year group
14-18 / Grades 9-12
Location / Region
Duke University, Durham
Cost
$2,998; $5,798
Duration
Two weeks
Format
In-person
Computer ScienceDesignTechnology
Accommodation: Residential or commuter
Meals: All meals or commuter lunch
Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
Main output: Portfolio-ready playable game
Tutors / faculty: Game developers and educators
Game Development Course summary
A practical introduction to game design and programming built around creating a complete 3D game with Unity, C# and modeling tools.
Students progress from importing assets and building environments to implementing collisions, lighting, materials and interface elements.
The course suits creative, technically curious students who want a substantial first portfolio project. No previous coding experience is required.
What is Game Development High School Course?
The Game Development High School Course is a hands-on Summer Springboard experience focused on professional game design, programming and 3D world creation. Students use Unity, C# and modeling tools to build a playable game from the ground up.
Teaching combines individual technical work, team collaboration and contact with industry professionals. Students explore how design and programming roles differ while practicing assets, prefabs, physics, lighting, user interfaces and level development.
Why Succeed highlights Game Development Course
The course culminates in a complete, portfolio-ready game rather than isolated practice exercises.
Students use Unity and C#, connecting creative design decisions with real scripting fundamentals.
No previous coding experience is required because programming foundations are introduced at the start.
Industry speakers and visits in the Research Triangle add useful career context.
Residential and commuter options make the campus experience accessible in two distinct formats.
Who is Game Development Course for?
Best for
Creative, technically curious students who want to test game design, programming or 3D modeling through a substantial practical project.
Not ideal if
You want an advanced coding course, a formal qualification or a program focused solely on game art without programming.
Is Game Development Course worth it?
It can be worthwhile for students who want to test whether game development suits them while producing a concrete portfolio project. The combination of Unity, C#, design work, collaboration and industry exposure gives the experience more depth than a short introductory workshop.
The main limitation is cost, particularly for residential attendance, and the course remains an introduction rather than a formal credential. Its value depends on whether the student continues refining the game and reflecting on the technical and creative decisions afterward.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,998; $5,798; includes Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging and all meals., Residential tuition includes academic and weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, lunch and excursions., Commuter programming runs 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday., Residential tuition includes evening activities and clubs..
Accommodation
Residential or commuter
Meals
All meals or commuter lunch
Provider details
Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
Two weeks; Duke University, Durham.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Game Development Course need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Begin planning six to eight weeks before the next application cycle, allowing time for family decisions, documents and travel arrangements.
Main challenge
Balancing C# scripting, 3D design and gameplay decisions within one project.
Typical preparation
Try a beginner Unity tutorial to become familiar with scenes, objects and navigation.
Sketch a small game concept with one clear player goal and simple mechanics.
Collect examples of games whose level design, interface or atmosphere you admire.
Prepare application details, travel documents and required forms well before the next session.
Useful if
You enjoy iterative problem-solving and can respond constructively when a game does not work immediately.
What do students do on Game Development Course?
Students move through a practical development cycle, combining 3D world building, scripting and repeated testing to produce a complete playable game.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn how game design and game programming serve different purposes.
- 2
Create and import 3D objects and other game assets.
- 3
Build and customize a virtual world in Unity.
- 4
Use C# fundamentals to script gameplay and interactions.
- 5
Add collisions, physics, lighting, materials, prefabs and interface elements.
- 6
Collaborate with classmates and receive insight from industry professionals.
- 7
Test, refine and present a portfolio-ready game project.
Game Development Course dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Session 1
28 June-10 July 2026
Two-week Duke University course
Session 2
12-24 July 2026
Two-week Duke University course
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General admission | 17 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session 1 | 28 June-10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session 2 | 12-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Students in Grades 9-12
Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent
Grade 8 completed before the program starts
Students starting high school in fall may apply
Recent spring high school graduates may apply
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency
Students must meet Essential Eligibility Criteria
How much does Game Development Course cost?
Commuter tuition
$2,998 — Includes weekday programming and lunch
Funding or discounts
- Residential tuition: $5,798 — Includes lodging, meals and excursions
- Deposit: $600 — Paid to hold the program place
- Application fee: $99+
- Alumni scholarship: $500 — Latest verified cycle
What's included
Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging and all meals., Residential tuition includes academic and weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, lunch and excursions., Commuter programming runs 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday., Residential tuition includes evening activities and clubs.
How to apply to Game Development Course
- 1
Ask a parent or guardian to create an application-portal account.
- 2
Confirm the registration email and complete the account details.
- 3
Select Create New Application from the dashboard.
- 4
Choose Duke University, the preferred session, Game Development and a tuition type.
- 5
Complete the student details with the student present.
- 6
Submit the application and pay the required deposit and application fee.
- 7
Complete any additional forms or supporting documents requested after review.
What does Game Development Course cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Game design and programming
Compare creative design responsibilities with the logic and implementation work of programming.
Unity world building
Create assets, prefabs, materials and customized environments in a professional game engine.
C# gameplay scripting
Use programming fundamentals to control gameplay, collisions, physics and interactions.
Visual presentation
Apply lighting, interface elements and enriched materials to improve the player experience.
Career exploration
Learn from industry professionals and explore game-development careers in the Research Triangle.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Game Development Course?
A typical day during the program.
9:00am
Students take their selected college-style academic course.
1:30pm
Students join a recreational activity or course-related academic excursion.
3:00pm
College-readiness or personal-development workshops follow the main activities.
7:00pm
Residential students join mentor-led clubs or other evening activities.
Who teaches on Game Development Course?
The listed instructors are Ernesto Escobar, Executive Director of Duke’s Master of Engineering in Game Design, Development, and Innovation, and Michael Schmitt, an independent developer, educator and former senior instructional designer at Unity Technologies. Their backgrounds combine curriculum leadership, professional development, programming and community work.
Students also collaborate with peers and engage with game-industry experts.
Where do students stay on Game Development Course?
Residential plan
- Campus housing: Students stay in traditional double rooms with communal bathrooms.
- Meals: All meals are included and served mainly in campus dining halls.
- Pastoral support: Summer Springboard staff live on each floor and provide 24-hour emergency support.
- Campus facilities: Residence halls include lounges, laundry, Wi-Fi and water stations.
Non-residential plan
- Weekday attendance: Commuters attend programming from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Friday.
- Commuter meals: Lunch is included with the commuter option.
Exact residence-hall assignments are normally confirmed in spring.
What happens after Game Development Course?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Refine the completed game into a stronger portfolio piece.
Continue learning C# and Unity through independent projects.
Explore specialist paths in programming, level design or 3D modeling.
Use industry visits and talks to research game-development careers.
Apply the project experience to later computer-science or design study.
The course does not state that it awards academic credit or a formal qualification.
Where does Game Development Course take place?
The course takes place on Duke University’s campus in Durham, North Carolina, within the Research Triangle’s wider research and technology ecosystem. Campus life includes academic facilities, residence halls, dining, green spaces and course-related excursions.
Summer Springboard operates the program independently of Duke University.
Game Development Course FAQs
No. C# fundamentals and basic scripting concepts are introduced at the beginning of the course.
Students build a complete, playable game with customized 3D environments. The finished project is intended to be suitable for a student portfolio.
The core course uses Unity, 3D modeling tools and C# for gameplay. The broader course overview also describes exposure to JavaScript and Python.
Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, all meals, excursions and weekend excursions.
Commuter tuition includes the academic course, lunch, excursions and weekday programming from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Lodging, breakfast and dinner are not part of that option.
Applicants should be in Grades 9-12 and have a minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent. Students must also meet Summer Springboard’s Essential Eligibility Criteria.
The listed instructors bring experience in Duke game-design education, independent game development, programming and Unity instructional design.
Yes. The course describes engagement with industry experts, guest speakers and possible visits to game-development companies in North Carolina’s Research Triangle.
Alternatives to Game Development Course
Compare these related in-person options if you want a different balance of game design, software development and creative technology.
Alternatives to Game Development Course
Hands-on game design in Los Angeles
Art
Deadline: Not announced
From £4295
14-18
Los Angeles
In-person
Best for
Students prioritizing visual game design and creative technology.
Software development and gaming career exploration
Coding & AI
25 May 2026
From £5995
15-18
London
In-person
Best for
Students who want broader coding and career exploration.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Terra Education
- Campus Specific FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Essential Eligibility Criteria | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Terms & Conditions | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- (1) New Messages!
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Duke University Summer Program for High School Students - Summer Springboard
- Game Development | Duke Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- (1) New Messages!
- Tuition Protection Plan T&C
- Game Development | Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)
Course details checked
Session dates reviewed
Tuition verified
Eligibility reviewed
Accommodation details checked
Application process reviewed
Policies checked
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Keep this program organised in Succeed
Get a reminder when a future cycle is available
See similar programs
Save it if you want to revisit it later
Keep related recommendations organised
Not ready to decide yet? Keep it for later.
Get a next-cycle reminder
Compare similar programs
Save it for later
Keep recommendations organised