What is game development?

Game development encompasses all the steps needed to conceptualize and craft a video game, including its music, graphics, and mechanics. Although some games are developed by a solo individual, most projects require the talents of multiple people. In fact, when it comes to the most complex projects, multiple studios and thousands of people may collaborate to produce a single game.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in game development?

Game developers tend to be very creative individuals who are passionate about gaming and storytelling. Not all video games succeed. So, game developers should be willing to accept criticism and ambitious enough to keep trying until they find a winning concept. Game developers also need to be analytical as well as curious enough to stay on top of the latest tech developments.

What jobs can I get in game development?

You can find a variety of jobs in the game development field, including game designer, music composer, programmer, animator, and game tester. Game designers conceptualize games. They may have a role in everything from writing the storyline to designing the stages and mechanics. Whether a game's score features simplistic eight-bit tunes or dramatic orchestral music, composers or audio engineers are needed on game development teams. Jobs are also available for programmers. These individuals tackle the technical aspects of game development, creating complex code that allows players to interact with the elements on the screen. Animators and artists have the task of creating a game's visuals, ranging from character designs to background scenery. Game testers spend plenty of time playing games. However, rather than playing for sheer enjoyment, they spend their time searching for glitches and testing the difficulty and functionality of each stage.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn game development?

Online courses can introduce you to core principles of game design, including how to tell stories through gameplay and how to generate and build on unique game ideas. You can also find courses on Coursera that focus on building specific skills, such as programming, designing characters, and creating pixel art. Other courses focus on the business side of the field, helping you learn how to pitch your creations to audiences or even start your own company.

What are the benefits of taking an online Game Development course?

Online Game Development courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Game Development skills. Choose from a wide range of Game Development courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Game Development courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Game Development, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Game Development Courses - Learn Game Development Online

Explore the Game Development Course Catalog

Michigan State University
Game Design and Development 1: 2D Shooter
Skills you'll gain: Peer Review, Cross Platform Development, User Interface (UI) Design, Software Design, User Interface (UI), C# (Programming Language), UI Components, Design, Application Development, Systems Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Development Environment, Computer Programming, Scripting, Creativity, Computer Graphics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
487 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Michigan State University
Art for Games
Skills you'll gain: 3D Modeling, Storyboarding, Color Theory, Adobe Photoshop, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computer Graphics, Design Elements And Principles, Conceptual Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Virtual Environment, Computer Graphic Techniques, Design, Data Import/Export, Image Analysis, Graphics Software, Aesthetics, Creativity, Baking
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
392 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
The University of Tokyo
Welcome to Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Socioeconomics, Social Sciences, Behavioral Economics, Economics, Strategic Decision-Making, Decision Making, Business Strategy, Probability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Unity Android Game Development — Build Seven 2D and 3D Games
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Bitbucket, Git (Version Control System), Android Development, C# (Programming Language), Mobile Development, Scripting, User Interface (UI), User Interface (UI) Design, Computer Graphics, Application Development, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Cross Platform Development, Computer Programming, Program Development, Graphics Software, Graphical Tools, Development Environment, Software Installation
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Epic Games
Introduction to Game Design
Skills you'll gain: Software Design Documents, Ideation, Technical Documentation, Conceptual Design, Design Thinking, Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Innovation, Prototyping, Creative Design
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
229 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado System
Data Structures and Design Patterns for Game Developers
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, Software Design Patterns, Data Structures, C# (Programming Language), Graph Theory, Computer Programming, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Algorithms, Computational Thinking
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
149 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Yale University
Introduction to Psychology
Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Human Development, Human Learning, Social Sciences, Psychotherapy, Behavioral Health, Sociology, Creativity, Non-Verbal Communication
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
31K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
California Institute of the Arts
Introduction to Game Design
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Conceptual Design, Ideation, User Story, Storyboarding, Content Creation, Design, Experience Design, Creativity, Interaction Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Unity C# Scripting — Complete C# for Unity Game Development
Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Mobile Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), User Interface (UI) Design, Version Control, Android (Operating System), User Interface (UI), C# (Programming Language), Object Oriented Design, Scripting, Git (Version Control System), Cross Platform Development, Program Development, Interactive Design, Software Design, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Computer Graphics, Scripting Languages, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computer Programming
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Packt
Introduction to Unity and Basic Game Development
Skills you'll gain: C# (Programming Language), Debugging, UI Components, Scripting, Scripting Languages, User Interface (UI), Virtual Environment, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Program Development, Computer Graphics, Development Environment, Software Installation, Computer Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP)
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Michigan State University
Game Design and Development 4: 3D Platformer
Skills you'll gain: Software Design Documents, Ideation, Software Design, 3D Modeling, Programming Principles, Social Sciences, Technical Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computer Graphics, Interactive Design, Computer Programming, Creativity, Business
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
42 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
Gamification
Skills you'll gain: Solution Design, Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Design Strategies, Human Learning, Game Theory, Employee Engagement, Interactive Learning, Behavior Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Emerging Technologies, Risk Analysis, Customer Engagement, Psychology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months