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 .

Best Game Programming Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Game Programming Course Catalog

University of Colorado System
C# Programming for Unity Game Development
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C# (Programming Language), Software Design Patterns, Computer Programming, Data Management, Event-Driven Programming, Program Development, Data Structures, Microsoft Visual Studio, Integrated Development Environments, Computer Programming Tools, Computer Graphics, Data Storage, Application Development, Software Design, Virtual Environment, Development Environment, Application Frameworks, UI Components
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Michigan State University
Game Design and Development with Unity 2020
Skills you'll gain: Software Design Documents, Ideation, Peer Review, Cross Platform Development, Prototyping, Software Design, User Interface (UI), User Interface (UI) Design, 3D Modeling, C# (Programming Language), User Experience, Storytelling, Programming Principles, Program Development, Interaction Design, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Design, Technical Design, UI Components, Conceptual Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
604 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado System
C++ Programming for Unreal Game Development
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), C++ (Programming Language), Debugging, Computer Programming, Event-Driven Programming, Computer Programming Tools, Data Structures, Integrated Development Environments, Data Storage, Software Documentation, Program Development, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Software Architecture, User Interface (UI), Virtual Environment, Data Import/Export, Software Development, File Management, Scripting, Software Design
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
201 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Epic Games
Epic Games Game Design
Skills you'll gain: Software Design Documents, Ideation, 3D Modeling, Prototyping, Visualization (Computer Graphics), User Interface (UI), User Experience Design, Computer Graphics, Usability, Technical Documentation, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, User Experience, Virtual Environment, User Interface (UI) Design, Version Control, Conceptual Design, Program Development, UI Components, Data Management, Scripting
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
274 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Stanford University
Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Business Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Mathematical Modeling, Graph Theory, Bayesian Statistics, Decision Making, Behavioral Economics, Probability, Economics, Competitive Analysis, Algorithms, Theoretical Computer Science, Human Learning, Probability Distribution
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Irvine
Programming with Google Go
Skills you'll gain: Go (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Algorithms, JSON, OS Process Management, Distributed Computing, Data Structures, Data Import/Export, System Programming, Development Environment, Software Design, Programming Principles, Remote Access Systems, Computer Programming, Operating Systems, File Management, Program Development
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
The University of Edinburgh
Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming
Skills you'll gain: Program Development, Software Engineering, Software Development, Computer Programming, Event-Driven Programming, Computational Thinking, Algorithms, Debugging
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 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
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
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Programming with Scratch
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Problem Solving, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Programming Principles, OS Process Management, Computer Programming, Computer Graphics, Storyboarding, Scripting, Program Development, Event-Driven Programming, Scripting Languages, Computer Programming Tools
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
95 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Basic Game Development using Scratch
Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Debugging, Programming Principles, Algorithms, Computer Programming Tools, Computer Programming, Program Development, Interactive Design, Integrated Development Environments, Software Development Tools, Computer Science
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours