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A 12 week programme for aspiring games makers using a curriculum developed by NextGen Skills Academy and Rocksteady Studios

OUR PROGRAMS

WBD Access x Rocksteady Studios Games Academy

Are you interested in turning your love for games into a career but unsure where to start?
Then the WBD Access x Rocksteady Studios Games Academy might be for you. 

This opportunity will give you the chance to learn by doing and hone your skills in  a fully immersive experience.

Programme Description 

Warner Bros. Discovery Access has partnered with Rocksteady Studios and NextGen Skills Academy to create a hybrid 12-week skills development programme focusing on developing your skills and knowledge of the games industry.  

On this course you will:  

- Be led through a bespoke curriculum which covers a variety of disciplines -  Audio, Art, Games Design or Quality Assurance – and is all led by industry professionals.

- Learn about how to build your network; what good communication looks like in a Games Studio setting; how to put together a portfolio of work to help you progress in your career

- Get insight into a real work environment and attend masterclasses and sessions with professionals at all different levels of their careers

- Work on a live brief and get feedback from the team at Rocksteady Studios

- Get feedback, support and advice on your career progression

The course has been specifically developed by NextGen Skills Academy and Rocksteady Studios, a multi-award winning videogame developer and creators of the critically acclaimed and multimillion-selling Batman: Arkham series and the highly anticipated Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a new genre-bending action-adventure shooter based on iconic DC characters. Additional information about Rocksteady Studios can be found at www.rocksteadyltd.com

The course will cover the following specialisms: 

Art  

In this stream you will learn how to produce great concept art, working to a brief and taking feedback. You will come out of it understanding art and design fundamentals including colour theory, composition, staging, creature, and human anatomy. 

Audio 

In this stream we will help develop your skills and understanding of the importance of audio design in making great games. You will learn to design audio using industry tools such as Wwise and Unreal. You will also build your understanding of creating sounds, voice recording and trends in game audio production and how they enhance gameplay and the player experience.    

Games Design 

In this stream you will develop skills in creating design and pitch documents. You will also understand core design pillars, player profiling and motivations and improving written and communication skills. You will have exposure to prototyping basic game ideas in established games engines. 

Quality Assurance Testing  

In this stream you will learn Jira, how to recognise, analyse, report and test for bugs. You will also understand where software testing fits into the production pipeline, common testing techniques, tools, and software.

 

Time commitment

There is 3 hours of guided (tutor taught) learning online, per week, for 12 weeks (about 3 months) which will be delivered in the evening. We also expect there to be a minimum of 3 hours of self-guided learning per week. 

There will additionally be two weekend bootcamps in London. These will provisionally take place as follows:

BOOTCAMP 1: Friday 4 November – Sunday 6 November 2022

BOOTCAMP 2: Friday 9 December – Sunday 11 December 2022

Applicants to the programme will need to be able to commit to all the above in order to secure a place on the course. 

Please note that where travel and accommodation is required, these costs will be covered by the programme. Any additional costs which may be a barrier to participation may be covered through additional bursary support on a case-by-case basis.    

 

Programme Criteria

Eligibility:  

You must be 18 years or older  by 31 October 2022 
You must be a permanent resident of the United Kingdom   
You must be interested in entering the games industry at a professional level  
   
We are particularly interested in receiving applications from individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds including women, those who are disabled, and ethnically diverse candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented in the Games industry in the UK

Selection Criteria: 

- A high degree of commitment to completing the programme 
- Demonstration of a keen interest to develop a career in the games industry and expressing how this programme will contribute to your goals  
- Links to work that demonstrate an interest in the specialism chosen 
- Communication skills (spoken, written, listening, communication skills) 

Please note that we welcome applications from individuals that haven’t had any formal education or professional experience in games, but feel they can demonstrate that they are interested and have some experience in the field they are applying to. We are also interested in individuals from other relevant industries (e.g.: computer programming/computer science, physics, maths, animation, visual effects (VFX), project management, music, music technology, art, and design). 

All shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an online assessment centre where you will be asked to participate in a group task and a short interview and give you the opportunity to ask any questions about the course. 

 

APPLY NOW

 

Programme Timeline* 

- Submission window: August 30th, 2022 - September 23rd, 2022 
- Assessment Centre: Week beginning October 10th, 2022 
- Notification of places: Week beginning 17 October 
- Programme begins: Week beginning October 31st 2022 

*Subject to change  

 

FAQ

Do I have to live in or be able to travel to London for the programme?  
No. The programme will primarily be delivered online for 3 hours a week for 12 weeks. You must be able to commit to attending sessions online throughout the week. There will also be two weekends of in-person workshops in London (travel and accommodation will be provided for individuals that require it).  

I live outside the UK. Can I apply? Will you handle my visa?  
We are only accepting submissions from candidates who are currently in the UK. The programme will not be able to sponsor you or pay for your visa.  

When is the deadline?  
All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm BST on Friday, September 23 2022. No exceptions.  

How do I apply? 
All submissions must be made through our portal (see link below). Submissions via email will not be accepted.  

What equipment will I require to take part in this programme? 
The minimum technology that you need are a laptop and a reliable internet connection. However, if you are not able to access this, do not let that discourage you from applying as we may be able to offer you further support. If you are right for the programme, we will ensure that you can participate.  

What if I have additional access needs and need adjustments or extra support? 
Rocksteady is committed to making this programme fully inclusive and accessible. Therefore we encourage you to let us know if you require any adjustments because of a disability. This helps to create more equitable opportunities for individuals applying to the programme. If you require any adjustments we will do our best to accommodate these, in line with the law. 

Is there an application fee?  
There are no fees associated with submitting to any WBD Access program.  

Do you accept letters of recommendation?  
We do not require letters of recommendation.  

I missed the deadline! Can I just email you directly?  
Sadly, no. We have a thorough evaluation process and a set programme start date, so we are unable to push our timeline to accommodate late applicants.  

Will I receive feedback on my application?  
Unfortunately, given the high volume of expected applicants, we are unable to provide feedback on submissions.  

Will I receive confirmation that you received my application?  
Yes. After you submit your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation email.  

How are participants selected?  
Due to the limited space available for the programme, a rigorous evaluation process will be implemented to identify the strongest candidates who display a broad scope of creativity, interest, and potential. Any candidates shortlisted for the programme will be asked to attend an online assessment centre.

How many applicants will be selected?  
We will select 20 participants to take part in the WBD Access X Rocksteady Games Academy.  

When will I know the status of my application?  
All applicants will be notified of their status by early to mid-October. Given the high volume of expected applications, we discourage email check-ins. Thank you for your patience!