HAIL is being developed by students in the Year 2 of the Diploma of Computer Game Development and have been trained in either 3D modeling/animation or Programming. These students work in teams replicating the teams within a games development company for 700 hours of the 800 hours of Year 2 of the Diploma. The ratio of programmers to artists is 3 or 4 to one as it is in industry.

As the teams work they are mentored and taught by people with extensive industry experience. Students are tested against two series of competencies; one for 3D artists and one for programmers but this will be done largely within the context of the team working together on a real game project. This project is industry sponsored and students work to a commercially developed realistic brief and develop their own ideas in tangent with industry.

By the end of the year students will have:

• Real industry knowledge.
• Genuine experience of the processes involved in game development.
• Demonstrated ability to produce commercial work.
• A head start in creating their own small business supported by the AIE.

The official course time of 800 hours is covered in increments of 20 hours for two and a half days per week. This arrangement allows teams to work on their own or other projects outside course time; undertake other study or work part time.

Other computer games courses will give you a qualification that still leaves you outside the industry.

The Diploma at the Academy puts you straight into the world of computer games and gives you the chance to start your own business.