Unlock your creative potential in game design
and production through WPCC’s Simulation and Game Development
Western Piedmont Community College’s Simulation and Game Development degree trains students to compete for the simulation and game industry including cutting-edge development for the most updated deliverables including Web, Mobile Apps, Virtual and Augmented Reality experiences. Courses in the degree target up to date technologies and practices that help graduates obtain careers in the fast-paced field of game design. We also offer career pathways to four year universities in interactive media.
Our faculty and staff are committed to offering quality instruction and resources to students in both our New Media programs. Our programs are uniquly positioned to offer skillsets that will benefit graduates who seek remote contract services that require graphics media development.
WPCC’s SGD Facilities
Students in our Simulation and Game Development program have access to state-of-the-art lab facilities in which to practice their skills. Students have access to a wide assortment of development tools including a variety of VR stations, 3D scanning equipment and high-performance cross-platform computer stations to cutting edge content for their portfolios.
Program Costs, Graduation & Job Placement
Estimated Total Cost
for A.A.S. Degree
Tuition & Fees: $5,265
Total Book Costs: $1,110.92
Total subscription for Adobe Creative Suite over two years
(if attending remote or needing software at home): $478.00
Estimated cost for home computer station with webcam
if attending remote offerings: $2000.00
Graduation Rates
A.A.S. – 50%
Job Placement
Kevin Kiser Graduated Simulation and Game Development Spring 2021
CVCC Virtual Reality Maintenance and Instructor for Basic Skills Program
Industrial Timber, LLC -The Smart Play Research And Development Specialist-3D Content Creator
Keyera Logan Graduated Digital Effects and Animation Technology Fall 2021
Spring 2021-Marketing Coordinator for EJ Victor
Jacob Cox Completed Film and Video Production Certificate in Spring 2022
Production Animator (Contracted Services) for Catawba County Chapter for
League of Women Voters Currently still contracted through October 2022
Additional Requirements for Licensure,
Certification or Approval
N/A
So where can I work?
If you graduate with an Associate in Applied Science Degree or a Certificate in Simulation and Game Development at WPCC, you will be prepared for jobs such as:
- 3D Content Creation
- Interactive Visualization
- Mobile Device Augmented Reality Development
- Virtual Reality Development (Oculus Quest, Valve Index, HTC Vive)
- Game Engine Scripting
Career pathways may include a variety of industries including mobile app development , web-console game development and product visualization for corporate, and educational organizations. Freelance opportunities are also available for graduates. Statistics from ONET Online suggest that the salary (median to high) range for multimedia artists and animators in North Carolina is from $59,180 to $91,050 per year. In addition, the WPCC Digital Effects & Animation Technology program provides opportunities for transfer to area four-year colleges and universities to complete bachelor’s degrees in related fields of study.
What You Will Study
The Digital Effects & Animation Technology program at WPCC offers you three options:
Associate in Applied Science Degree
WPCC’s two-year program has 65 hours of coursework and laboratory experiences using a variety of computer tools. It offers you the most options for potential careers, including the possibility to transfer to 4-year colleges and universities.
3D Modeling & Animation Certificate
The Digital Design & Motion Graphics Certificate provides a year-long introduction to software tools, design concepts, and workflows that use moving images and provides additional studies for related majors.
Game Design & Programming Certificate
Fall Curriculum Classes for New Entering Students
- SGD 111-Introduction to Simulation and Game Development
- SGD 114-3D Modeling 1
- ART 171-Digital Design 1
- ART 131-Drawing 1
Registration for Summer and Fall Semester 2021 will begin March 29th. If you need assistance with advisement or registration, please contact Jonathan Crumpler by email at jcrumpler@wpcc.edu or by phone at 828 448 3544.
If you are new to WPCC, please visit our New Students page for details on enrolling. Returning students can consult the Semester Guide for information. Full details on the courses (meeting days/times, instructor, etc.) is available on our Class Schedules page.