Unlock your Game Development potential!

Courses

Small Groups. Expert Mentors. Hands-On Learning. Game UP Your Skills!

GAME VFX WITH UNREAL ENGINE - 6 WEEKS

  • This course is for aspiring VFX artists who want to start creating real-time effects in Unreal Engine.
    While some basic 3D experience (e.g. in Blender) can be helpful, it’s not required — we’ll cover key modeling and UV layout techniques during the course.

    Whether you're building your first VFX portfolio, leveling up your skills, or finally diving into Unreal with guidance, this course will get you moving in the right direction.

    Whether you’re building your first VFX portfolio, leveling up your skills, or finally diving into Unreal with focus, this course sets you on the right path.

  • Over 6 weeks, you'll gain hands-on experience with the full real-time VFX workflow in Unreal Engine — from asset prep to particle systems. Each live session builds your skills step-by-step:

    Session 1 – Intro to Modeling and UV Layout in Blender
    Learn best practices for VFX-friendly modeling and how to create clean UV layouts for real-time effects.

    Session 2 – Intro to Unreal
    Get familiar with Unreal Engine: editor basics, asset importing, lighting, and post-processing.

    Session 3 – Materials and Shaders
    Use UV space creatively and start building responsive shaders in the Material Editor.

    Session 4 – Intro to Niagara
    Understand the logic behind particle systems and create your own Niagara effects from scratch.

    Session 5 – Bonfire
    Apply your shader and Niagara skills to create a stylized bonfire integrated into a game scene.

    Session 6 – Tornado & Final Project

    Build a semi-realistic tornado with animated effects.

    Throughout the course, you’ll also work on your final project: designing and building a stylized portal using all the techniques you learn week by week — combining shaders, particles, animation, and scene integration into one showcase-worthy effect.

  • All sessions are live on Zoom and taught in a small group format to allow time for feedback and support.

    🔥 Course starts: Thursday, 26 June 2025
    🕖 Time: 19:00–22:15 (EEST), with a break included
    📅 Frequency: Every Thursday for 6 weeks

    Session dates:
    ✔️ Thursday, 26 June
    ✔️ Thursday, 3 July
    ✔️ Thursday, 10 July
    ✔️ Thursday, 17 July
    ✔️ Thursday, 24 July
    ✔️ Thursday, 31 July

    You’ll also be invited to a private Discord server for extra feedback, resources, and peer support between sessions.

    • ✔️ Live expert-led sessions via Zoom
      ✔️ All shared course materials
      ✔️ Two real-time VFX scenes you’ll build from scratch (Bonfire & Tornado)
      ✔️ A final project: Stylized Portal
      ✔️ A Certificate of Completion from Game UP! Academy
      ✔️ Access to a private Discord community to connect with your mentor and other game developers
      ✔️ Option to book follow-up mentoring sessions with César


  • With 20 years in film and VFX, César transitioned to games in 2020 and has since specialized in real-time workflows with Unreal Engine. As a certified Unreal Instructor, he’s here to help you understand not just the “how,” but the “why” behind great visual effects — and support you in building a strong creative foundation.

Learn to create stunning real-time VFX inside Unreal Engine with expert guidance, hands-on sessions, and a supportive game dev community.

STARTS: June 26th

UNREAL ENGINE BOOTCAMP - 5 DAYS

Join a hands-on Unreal Engine bootcamp in Pärnu, Estonia, timed with the global GMTK Game Jam. No previous experience needed.
In just 5 days, you’ll work in a team, learn from an industry mentor, and publish a playable game prototype.

  • New to game development? Already testing the waters?
    Jam UP! is built for both.

    Whether it’s your first time in Unreal Engine or you want to finally finish a game and share it with others — this bootcamp gives you the structure, support, and real momentum to do it.

    No experience needed. Just bring your curiosity.
    We’ll provide the rest.

  • Day 1 – Warm-up & Brainstorm Get to know your team, set up your tools, and prepare for the jam. We’ll get everyone set up, define roles and form teams. The GMTK theme is revealed at 20:00 — let the brainstorm begin!

    Day 2 – Building Begins Dive into development. We’ll break your idea into steps and build your very first rough version. It won’t be pretty (yet), but it’ll run, and you’ll playtest it on day one of development.

    Day 3 – Building continues You’ll refine your concept, decide what comes next, and push toward a second playable version. More structure, more feedback, more clarity.

    Day 4 – Final Iteration You’ll define your third and final version of the game and get it running. Polish up visuals, squash bugs, balance gameplay, and start preparing your build for submission.

    Day 5 – Launch & Celebrate Time to wrap. You’ll finalize your build, submit your team’s project to the GMTK Jam page, reflect on what you learned, and celebrate everything you’ve created in just 5 days.

    • Expert daily mentorship

    • Access to full PC setup (or use your own)

    • Lunch each day to keep you fueled

    • A real project, published and shared

    • A 1:1 coaching session with the mentor: Questions, Feedback, CV tips, or career advice.

  • Bohdan is a cross-discipline game maker with over 12 years in the industry. He’s released seven commercial games, one of which reached over 700,000 players on Steam, and brings deep experience in production, design, marketing, and prototyping.

    He is currently working as General Manager at a 30-person game studio with ~€3.5M in yearly revenue, while still finding time for game jams and side projects.

July 30 - 3 August

INDIE GAME MARKETING - 4 WEEKS

Learn how to get people to care about your game — with hands-on support from a veteran game marketer. You'll shape your message, build an audience, and sidestep common pitfalls — all without a big studio budget.

  • This mentor-led bootcamp is built for small indie teams and solo devs who already have a playable prototype or are actively building their game. You’ll learn how to define your audience, build early hype, and craft a marketing strategy that supports your development timeline — not distracts from it.

    Each live session includes practical frameworks, real feedback, and industry-proven methods you can apply immediately to your game.


  • Session 1 – Who’s Your Game For?

    • Define your ideal audience

    • Find your unique hook & niche in the market

    • Live feedback on your current positioning

    Session 2 – Building Hype on a Budget

    • No-cost and low-cost tactics that work

    • How to grow your community and wishlist base

    • Using Discord, social media & devlogs the right way

    Session 3 – Getting Eyes on Your Game

    • How to pitch to press and influencers

    • Making your Steam/Itch pages stand out

    • Live critique of your store pages

    Session 4 – Roadmap to Release

    • Build a lightweight, realistic marketing plan

    • Dev-focused timelines, habits, and execution tips

    • Tools to keep your momentum up to launch


  • All sessions are live on Zoom and held in a small group format to allow time for feedback and practical exercises.

    Each session lasts 3 hours with a break.

    🔥Course starts: Saturday, 24th of May 2025

    Session 1
    • Saturday, 24 May at 11:00 EET / 10:00 CET

    Session 2
    • Saturday, 31 May at 11:00 EET / 10:00 CET

    Session 3
    • Saturday, 7 June at 11:00 EET / 10:00 CET

    Session 4
    • Saturday, 14 June at 11:00 EET / 10:00 CET

    • 4 live mentor-led sessions via Zoom

    • Actionable templates and checklists

    • Personalized feedback during the course

    • Access to a private Discord community

    • Certificate of Completion from Game UP! Academy

    • Option to book follow-up mentoring sessions with Brandon


  • Brandon is an industry veteran with deep experience in project management, marketing, PR, copywriting, and non-dev roles. He’s worked on titles like Bootstrap Island, Into the Radius, Hot Wheels: Infinite Loop, and The X-Files: Deep State. Brandon is also a game business educator, having taught at Tallinn University, Estonian Business School, and Mainor.

    This is your chance to learn directly from someone who’s been in the trenches — and knows how to make indie games stand out.

Learn from Industry Experts!

Our mentors are seasoned and active professionals in game development, Unreal Engine, and more. Whether you're looking for one-on-one guidance, a team session, or specialized training, we’ve got you covered!

Daniel Corredor, Unreal Engine developer

“Joining her previous academy was one of my best experiences in Estonia. Maret has a golden touch when it comes to helping people grow.”

Tracey McGarrigan, Games Marketing Strategist

“Game UP! Academy is practical, mentor-driven, and built for real growth. Maret’s vision creates a space where hands-on learning truly makes a difference.”

Eerik Hannus, Recruitment specialist

“What makes Game UP! Academy special is the people behind it! They really care about the industry and help people succeed in that by providing hands-on, mentor-led learning!”

Get Inspired!

See some of the stunning games created with Unreal Engine, showcasing the power of small teams and independent studios.

Unreal Engine empowers creators of all sizes to achieve AAA-level quality with cutting-edge tools. Whether you're an indie dev or part of a small team, ambition is your only limit.

Let’s Connect!

Got a question? A course idea? Want to learn more about Game UP! Academy or collaborate?

We’d love to hear from you!