What is game programming?

Game programming is writing the code that makes video games work. It's a part of the broader field of video game development, and it is, more specifically, the development of video game software. Game programming is based heavily on mathematics and programming logic, and it often includes specific programming languages, such as C Sharp. It also includes digital art, planning game concepts, and sound design to create gaming experiences that keep users playing and sharing games.

What opportunities will learning game programming make available to me?

Some opportunities that learning game programming can make available to you are working on a team with other programming professionals and artists to develop video game designs. This type of work is both highly analytical and extremely creative, so you could gain the chance to use both imagination and logic as part of your work if you go into the field of video game development. You may also find the experience of learning about game programming interesting and exciting.

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

Taking online courses on Coursera can help you learn game programming by covering the range of information from basic, beginner level programming through intermediate-level skills, such as using Python to create a game, and advanced courses such as more complex game development on PyGame. Select the courses on Coursera that complement your programming skill level, and then move through the courses at your own pace while developing a portfolio of your hands-on work.

How do I know if learning game programming is right for me?

To know if learning game programming is right for you, consider whether you enjoy exploring and discovering new ways to solve recurring problems and if you have strong mathematical skills or are willing to work on learning advanced math. It helps to be passionate about technology and driven to understand why things work the way they do. You also ideally need to be self-motivated, a person who takes initiative, and comfortable with linear thinking because game programming requires solving a lot of logic problems. Even though a team is typically involved in the creation of a game, game programmers spend most of their time alone and deep in thought, so it may also help if you're a person who is comfortable with a lot of quiet time for deep thinking.

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

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

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

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Game Programming, 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 Programming Courses - Learn Game Programming Online

Explore the Game Programming Course Catalog

Meta
Programming with JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Web Development Tools, Javascript, Unit Testing, Web Applications, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Scripting Languages, Event-Driven Programming, Node.JS, Scripting, JSON, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Debugging, Package and Software Management, Program Development, Front-End Web Development, Functional Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado System
More C# Programming and Unity
Skills you'll gain: C# (Programming Language), Data Management, Data Structures, Application Development, Program Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, User Interface (UI), Scripting, Human Computer Interaction
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
614 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
Python 3 Programming
Skills you'll gain: Unified Modeling Language, JSON, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Design, Debugging, Object Oriented Design, Data Processing, Unit Testing, Data Import/Export, Restful API, Python Programming, Image Analysis, Data Manipulation, Jupyter, Data Structures, Software Engineering, Application Programming Interface (API), Computer Programming, File Management, Functional Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to C++ Programming: Create a Tic-Tac-Toe Game
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Data Structures, Interactive Design, Application Development, Program Development, Computer Programming, Java Programming, Computational Logic
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
SAS
SAS Programmer
Skills you'll gain: Data Manipulation, SAS (Software), Data Access, Data Import/Export, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis, Data Transformation, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Validation, Data Cleansing, Statistical Programming, Data Processing, Data Integration, SQL, Data Presentation, Descriptive Statistics, Debugging
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado System
More C++ Programming and Unreal
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Data Structures, Data Storage, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Virtual Environment, Event-Driven Programming, User Interface (UI), Algorithms
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado System
Introduction to C++ Programming and Unreal
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C++ (Programming Language), Debugging, Computer Programming, Computer Programming Tools, Integrated Development Environments, Software Documentation, Virtual Environment, Data Storage, Scripting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
172 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Duke University
Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice
Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Storyboarding, Programming Principles, 3D Modeling, Storytelling, Computer Graphics, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Scripting, Algorithms, Computational Thinking, Debugging
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
42 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Software Design, Data Structures, Debugging, Web Design and Development, Software Engineering, Cryptography, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Development, Programming Principles, Javascript, Encryption, Algorithms, Program Development, Web Applications, Front-End Web Development, Statistical Analysis, Computer Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado System
Introduction to C# Programming and Unity
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C# (Programming Language), Computer Programming, Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Computer Programming Tools, Data Storage, Development Environment, User Interface (UI), Scripting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Vanderbilt University
Introduction to Programming with MATLAB
Skills you'll gain: Matlab, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Debugging, Mathematical Software, Data Manipulation, Computer Science, Algorithms, Data Import/Export, Data Structures, Linear Algebra, Engineering Calculations, Graphing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Functional Programming Principles in Scala
Skills you'll gain: Scala Programming, Programming Principles, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Functional Design, Software Design Patterns, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Software Engineering, Javascript, Algorithms, Computational Thinking
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months