Gaming

The line for those who:

  • Love to play and see it as a passion
  • Enjoys exploring different titles and genres
  • Wonder how a game can be built
  • Will travel to South Korea and to Stockholm on Dreamhack

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About the line

The gaming course at Toppen is for those who view gaming as a hobby, a passion and a way to unwind.

Here you'll have plenty of time to play the games you love, whether it's single-player, co-op games with friends, epic stories like Baldur's Gate, nerve-wracking moments in Dark Souls, or the freedom to explore in GTA.

Plus, you get a unique insight into what makes games so great. We travel together to Dreamhack, one of the Nordic region's largest gamer fairs. Here comes the industry and shows off the very latest. We are especially looking forward to the EXPO and LAN section of the fair, where we get to test games to come. We also get access to seminars and lectures during Dreamhack.

About the line

The gaming course at Toppen is for those who view gaming as a hobby, a passion and a way to unwind.

Here you'll have plenty of time to play the games you love, whether it's single-player, co-op games with friends, epic stories like Baldur's Gate, nerve-wracking moments in Dark Souls, or the freedom to explore in GTA.

Plus, you get a unique insight into what makes games so great. We travel together to Dreamhack, one of the Nordic region's largest gamer fairs. Here comes the industry and shows off the very latest. We are especially looking forward to the EXPO and LAN section of the fair, where we get to test games to come. We also get access to seminars and lectures during Dreamhack.

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The line is suitable for those who

Gaming with us is suitable for those who love games, want to explore different genres, and want to spend a year with like-minded people. This is the course for those who see gaming as an important part of your life and who want to spend a year at a folk high school, exploring your passion.

We give you a platform to help you explore games in a new way, long after your year at the folk college is over. You'll learn about how a good story can captivate you, and how sound and light can create a magical atmosphere. You get a unique insight behind the game, which will make you a more conscious gamer. These are skills that you can take with you further in life, whether in work, school or privately. We have the whole person in focus, not just the game.

The line is suitable for those who

Gaming with us is suitable for those who love games, want to explore different genres, and want to spend a year with like-minded people. This is the course for those who see gaming as an important part of your life and who want to spend a year at a folk high school, exploring your passion.

We give you a platform to help you explore games in a new way, long after your year at the folk college is over. You'll learn about how a good story can captivate you, and how sound and light can create a magical atmosphere. You get a unique insight behind the game, which will make you a more conscious gamer. These are skills that you can take with you further in life, whether in work, school or privately. We have the whole person in focus, not just the game.

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Hear from former students

Course content

In addition to playing, during the year we will study several interesting topics in the field of gaming.

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Felles

Common

Autumn

Spring

Game Design and Concept Development

Atle Valan, director at Red Thread Games talks about the process from idea to prototype. How do you develop a game mechanic that is fun and engaging. What is a “game loop”? What is the difference between level design and environment design?

Storytelling and Screenwriting

Have a screenwriter or a narrative designer give a lecture on how to build a good story in a game. They can talk about plot, character development and how to allow the player to make choices that shape the story.

Sound design

A sound designer (Alf Marius Valan) demonstrates how soundscapes create tension, mood and atmosphere. He will show how simple sound effects can transform a scene.

Visual style and lighting

An art director or filmmaker will talk about how to use colors and lighting to direct the player's attention and create a specific mood. Why does a horror game use darkness and contrast, while a fantasy game is filled with bright colors?

Work in the gaming industry

Atle Valan will give a realistic picture of what it is like to work with games. What kind of jobs exist, and what skills are required? This is super relevant for those who are curious about a future in game development or film.

Indie thursday

Every Thursday we set aside time to dive into the creative world of indie games. Each week we pick out a new, select indie game that we all play. After the game time, we gather to gain experience and discuss together.

  • Innovation and Creativity: Indie games often challenge traditional game concepts and dare to experiment with new mechanics, art styles and storylines. Here you will see where the limit of game design can be moved.
  • Storytelling: Many indie games place great emphasis on unique and personal stories that touch. We talk about how these games use simple tools to create strong, emotional experiences.
  • Joint discussion: We share our thoughts on the game, what we liked and didn't like, and what made it special. This is a super way to expand your gaming horizons and discover new favorites.
  • Analysis: We learn to view games with a more critical eye — from music and soundscape to art and design. What is it that makes this particular game so good, or why didn't it fall entirely in taste?

Equipment

We have gaming chairs and desks for you in the classroom. You just need to bring your own computer/playstation and any additional equipment. We also have some rental PCs that can be rented if you do not have your own gaming PC.

Facilitation

Certain activities we do on the line we can facilitate some physical challenges if it is compatible with the content of the line. Contact us to discuss what we can do to accommodate your needs. We can also find alternative solutions if the activities are too extensive, for example by hospitalization on other lines when the activity is not feasible.

Price

Pricing 2026-2027

  • Registration fee: NOK 2,700, -
  • Living costs: NOK 95.922, - Covers food and living expenses for the full school year.
  • Common costs: NOK 10,300, - Includes community excursions/cinema/performances/concerts, laundry, internet and administration costs. In the price you also get a school jacket, a yearbook and various tripslocally.
  • Line costs cover all costs on the individual line, includingmaterial and study trip. The price varies somewhat between the courses.

Total Costs:

Full-year 2026-2027: NOK 154,672, -*

Half-year Fall 2026: NOK 71,411, -

Half-year spring 2027: NOK 86.411, -*

 

* Including line trip and possible participation in tournaments. Subject to changes.

Miscellaneous additions:

- Those who choose to live in the newer boarding houses pay NOK 5000, - more

- Special diet

- Equipment insurance

- Some electives and voluntery trips

If you have Norwegian citizenship, Lånekassen has excellent scholarship schemes and loan opportunities. If you quit school during the school year, you must pay tuition for 6 weeks from the end date. This also applies if you were to be expelled for violating school rules.

Admission

We don't have too many criteria for who can apply, but you have to be 18 years old or become so during the first semester. You can apply from October 1 to next year's courses and we are admitting students on an ongoing basis from November 15. Then you will receive an email from us with a response to the application. We will continue to admit students until the school are filled. In some cases, the composition of the line will determine whether you can fit or have to be put on a waiting list. For example,the composition of instruments may be of importance. If there are more applicants for a line than there is room for, your applicant number will determine whether or not you get an offer. In some cases, gender balance will have an impact.

Line teachers usually contact those who apply. Then you canget to know each other a little better and find out if you have found thecourse that suits you best. Maybe you have some questions, are unsecure or havesomething you want to tell us about yourself.

The line trip goes to...

DREAMHACK, STOCKHOLM

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Artists, cosplay, EXPO, ESPORT, music, LAN and BYOC. Join us in Stockholm for the Nordic region's best gamer event. Here we meet content creators, watch esports tournaments (2025: OW, The Finals, CS2), go to concerts, game launches and talks based on our own interests.

It will be a social trip, we live together in hostels not far from both central Stockholm and the venue where the fair is held. We eat out together and have a lot of great experiences together. We buy access to the LAN /BYOC area. You can either bring your own equipment, or book PCs from GameEffect with which the organizer cooperates.

In 2025, Dreamhack had the OWCS World Finals, and we're excited about what top-level tournament awaits us in 2026. But good, we know it will be!

In the past, there have also been several competitions where you can play for fat prize pools in, for example, Fortnite ($25k). DreamHack is a tremendous experience, bringing the gamer environments together. The fair is full of exclusive merchandise, brings together 300 exhibitors, and several games are launching beta versions that have not been shown before.

At Dreamhack there are also many concerts and cultural events, and together we will see how much of this we manage to bring with us throughout the three days of the event.

The line trip goes to...

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

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Are you ready for an exciting study trip that will open your eyes to a brand new world of gaming and culture? Welcome to Seoul, South Korea!

E-sports In South Korea it is like cross-country skiing in Norway, and in South Korea they have been doing national broadcasts on public television for almost 20 years. They have player academy that receives government subsidies, and were the first to recognize E- sport as an official profession back in 2000.

Since 1960, they have hosted major tv/pc gaming tournaments in South Korea. This is a culture that really recognizes gaming and gamers. That's why we travel here on the E-Sprotlinja, of course.

Since the late 90s, internet cafes have been popular in South Korea. Here, young people have been able to play for an hour for free, hang out with friends and compete. Today there are over 25,000 so-called PC Bangs in the country! The availability and absence of stigma has led to what we know today as the Mecca of eSports.

What else can you experience on this trip? We travel to Seoul when the cherry trees are blooming. It goes without saying that it is photo-friendly. We eat Korean street food, visit Kwangjang Market, and of course we visit LOL Park Seoul where we can experience the League of Legends Hall of Fame! Students, of course, get to decide what activities this tour will include. In short, a study trip to Seoul is the perfect experience for all esports lovers who want to explore a new culture together with good friends.

On the line you will get to know better:

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