2D Game Dev

Develop a polished 2D game.

Team up with classmates and create a shared vision for a game.

Learn GameMaker, create 2D game levels, and use visual or scripting languages to code your game. Create artwork with GIMP.

Play, test, and improve your game.

Go home with your game.

Designed for students who enjoy video games, programming, digital art, or building creative projects from the ground up, this course has students form their own game studio and work with classmates to produce a polished, playable 2D game from start to finish. The class blends direct instruction with project-based collaboration as students learn how real developers plan, build, and refine their games.

The course begins with students pitching their ideas to the class and learning about the core studio roles of game designer, programmer, artist, and QA tester. Studios form as students choose roles that fit their interests and strengths, supported by short clinics that teach the essentials of each specialty. These clinics build confidence and give students a clear understanding of how mechanics, art, levels, and testing all work together. Fairfax Collegiate provides laptops with GameMaker software for teams to use in developing their games.

At the end of the course, instructors send home a copy of each finished game for families to view and play at home. Students leave with a complete game, practical creative and technical skills, and the confidence to keep exploring game development, programming, or digital art.

Fairfax Collegiate will offer this course for the first time in the 2026 Summer Program, and the full course syllabus (goals, topics, and day-by-by schedule) will be posted closer to the start of the Summer Program. For questions or additional details about the course in the meantime, please email our team at registrar@fairfaxcollegiate.com or call us at (703) 481-3080.