• Save up to $60 with code LEVELUP
    You’ll be amazed what your child can do in just 4 private lessons! More lessons = more success. Try our 8 or 12 packs today.
    You’ll be amazed what your child can do in just 4 private lessons! More lessons = more success. Try our 8 or 12 packs today.

    CODE: LEVELUP

    Our Level Up with Lessons Challenge is in full swing! In just 4, 8, or 12 private lessons, your child will solve the equation for mastery through progressive learning. Multiply their skills in coding, game dev, video production and more. Join the Challenge and use code LEVELUP to save:

    $60 off packs of 12
    $40 off packs of 8
    $20 off packs of 4 

    *Valid for a limited time. $60 off applies only to packs of 12 private lessons. $40 off applies only to packs of 8 private lessons. $20 off applies only to packs of 4 private lessons. Payment plans do not apply to private lessons. Promo code may be used once per child per program. Promo codes can not be applied to previous purchases or combined with other offers.
  • Camps & Academy registration begins Nov 9th

    Register early for the best prices and availability.

    Register early for the best prices and availability.

    Camps & Academy registration begins Nov 9th

    Summer 2026 registration opens this November! This is more than camp—it’s a launchpad. At iD Tech, your child can dive into coding, AI, robotics, or game design alongside tech-savvy peers and inspiring instructors, all in next-gen labs held on prestigious university campuses for a taste of collegiate life.

    Download our ‘25 digital brochure while we work on ‘26! We'll notify you when registration begins. 

    Stay in the know

Game Design Academy with Unreal Engine 5

  • Price: Starting at $4,499
  • Age: Ages 13-18
  • Skill Level: Beginner-Advanced
  • Format: iD Tech Academies | Small-Group, On-Campus
  • Duration: Two-week program

About This Course

Kickstart your game design career by building your own prototype in Unreal Engine 5, the engine behind award-winning titles like Black Myth: Wukong. You’ll take the helm of the full game development pipeline and transform ideas into a fully playable 3D prototype! Start with industry-standard principles to design a level and paint landscapes. Then, use Unreal’s unique Blueprint Visual Scripting system to implement core mechanics like collectibles, jump pads, and moving platforms.

Once you’ve built the framework, you’ll flesh out a game design document and define the scope of your project. Develop your world into an immersive experience, from sprawling deserts to underground caverns! Work independently or collaborate with your peers on an even more robust capstone. Use all the skills you learned to dive deeper into your focus—whether that’s 3D modeling in Blender, material generation and lighting for levels, character animation, or coding game mechanics like custom enemy AI with Blueprints. When you’re ready to send off your project, you can capture it all in a game trailer to share online. Launch your finished UE5 game and polish your portfolio for future college admissions or a career!

You'll learn to:

  • Develop a game with Unreal Engine 5
  • Implement gameplay mechanics and elements with Blueprint Visual Scripting
  • Demonstrate game design theory and principles in a game design document
  • Design 3D models in Blender and import them into your Unreal project
  • Script custom events such as collectibles, projectiles, and health systems

Course Format 

This course is part of an intensive 2-week summer program running Monday through Friday (overnight at most locations with the option to stay the weekend within the two weeks). Your teen will learn in a lab on an inspiring university campus with a balanced daily schedule of assignment-driven workshops and outdoor/recreational activities. Courses are led by experienced instructors in a small-group setting. Learn more below. 
 

Sample Schedule

In this course, students will explore game design to build a game prototype in Unreal Engine 5.

Here’s a sample of what each week in the course could look like! Please keep in mind that students will progress at varying paces; this is a general outline of the key material and overall student experience.

Begin with an in-depth look into Blueprints Visual Scripting with Unreal Engine 5. Students will design level prototypes and environments for their game. They’ll plan out their game’s theme using a game design document and decide where they want to focus. Additionally, they’ll learn about 3D modeling in Blender and implement game mechanic systems, including player movement and collectible items. Depending on their game’s focus, they may add more advanced elements, such as health and damage systems.

In the second week, students will focus on polishing their vertical slice prototype to develop their game idea, either independently or with their peers if they choose. They'll build upon their learned skills to implement advanced features like material generation, user interfaces, and animation, depending on the pathway that they choose. At the end of the week, students will add finishing touches to their prototype and playtest their game with their peers. They’ll polish and refine their game based on peer feedback and input and present their final projects to the group.

Portfolio-Boosting Diploma & Transcript

At the conclusion of your teen's course, they will receive an official iD Tech diploma and course transcript outlining the skills they learned over the session. 
 

Elite Staff & Experienced Instructors

Passion for tech. Unmatched expertise. Personality that brings out the absolute best in your student. With 25 years of experience, we know there's no replacement for the best teacher. Each year iD instructors go on to be hired by the most prestigious tech companies in the world like Google, EA, Disney, Microsoft, and more. When your student learns from the best, they’ll unlock opportunities to become their best. 

  • 100% USA-based, adult instructors

  • Recruited from top universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU

  • Rigorous background and reference checks

  • Robust training programs and certification

  • Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

Summer 2026 registration opens this November!

In the meantime, join us online for private lessons, running right now! Led by our elite instructors, your child can dive into topics they love including coding, game dev, design, and more. Need help choosing the perfect program? Contact us.

Sign up for our emails to be the first to hear about new courses, programs, and partnerships–plus receive exclusive promotions!

By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy
Get more info

Summer 2026 registration opens this November!

In the meantime, join us online for private lessons, running right now! Led by our elite instructors, your child can dive into topics they love including coding, game dev, design, and more. Need help choosing the perfect program? Contact us.

Sign up for our emails to be the first to hear about new courses, programs, and partnerships–plus receive exclusive promotions!

By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy

FAQ

In game development, level design sets up the gameplay, and involves everything from mission design to map and stage layout. Good level design is immersive. It's challenging enough to be engaging, but not too challenging that it's impossible. It drives players to keep playing to get better at the game. Each level should leave players feeling like they've progressed, either in their skill or in the story.

As video games get more and more advanced, they’re beginning to look as visually sophisticated as blockbuster films. That means there is a lot going on behind the scenes! By combining a gamer’s eye for design and game mechanics with Unreal Engine's Visual Scripting, teens can level up their STEM skills.

iD Tech Academies offer intensive, assignment-driven programming workshops in various course topics including machine learning, virtual reality, game development, robotics, and more. Programs are designed to be a rigorous, pre-college experience that provides industry insights for teens interested in pursuing STEM fields in college or as a career.

All graduates will leave their academy with a portfolio tailored to their course topic - which is invaluable for college applications, internships, and jobs - along with their iD Tech Diploma. 

This course is taught by iD Tech instructors.

Yes, this course is designed for beginner to advanced students. Our small class size ensures that each student receives individual attention and has the freedom to learn at their own pace.

In addition to specialized skills, teens leave their academy with a new network of friends and mentors, resilience, critical thinking opportunities, and official certification that stands out to admissions officers.

At the conclusion of the academy experience, teens will receive an official iD Tech diploma and course transcript outlining everything they learned during the program. They’ll also take home a USB with their course project files, along with access to installation and setup guides so they can continue working at their own pace.

Yes! You can register today for as little as $460 per student, and pay the balance in convenient monthly installments. 

You can also save by registering for multiple sessions (save $50 when you buy a second course in another topic or for a sibling), or by inviting friends to join at camp (earn a $25 credit for each new referral; your friends save $25 too). 

With our weeklong summer camps, teens can strike the perfect balance between STEM skill development and summer fun, experiencing collegiate life and learning on-campus at a prestigious university. (Overnight options available at select locations.)

Additionally, with online programs including private lessons, teen academies, and virtual camps, there is a program that fits your teen’s interests, skill level, goals, and importantly, schedule. Learn more.

Our Program Specialists are here to provide you with the best experience. Looking for a personalized course recommendation? Need help signing up? We’ve got you covered. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com. 

Other Courses Teens Love

Download our ‘25 digital brochure while we work on ‘26!

Download a brochure and learn why iD Tech is the top-rated tech camp—plus receive exclusive promotions.

 
I'm interested in
Select all that apply
On-campus Summer Programs
Online Camps & Classes
By submitting your number, you consent to receive occasional text messages from iD Tech for the purpose of providing more information about our services. Texting and data rates may apply.
By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy