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Introduction to Game Development

If you love games and want to learn how to make them, then this course will start you down that path. Making games is a creative and technical art form. In this course you will familiarize yourself with the tools and practices of game development. You will get started developing your own videogames using the industry standard game development tools, including the Unity3D game engine and C#. At the end of the course you will have completed three hands-on projects and will be able to leverage an array of game development techniques to create your own basic games. This course is for individuals interested in becoming a game designer,...

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Strong fit for those looking to start creating their own videogames, as it uses industry-standard tools and teaches foundational skills

Taught by Brian Winn, an experienced game developer and instructor

Develops technical skills in game development, including the use of Unity3D and C#

Teaches creative skills in game development, such as game design and game art

Hands-on projects allow learners to apply their knowledge and skills immediately

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Reviews summary

Intriguing primer for game development

This introductory course on game development receives high praise for its well-structured content and clear explanations, making it an excellent foundational course for beginners interested in game design, art, or programming.

Course engages learners through practical application.

"Fun and instructive course. You actually get your hands dirty creating a couple of simple games."

Suitable for those new to the field.

"It's really good for beginners. I enjoyed learning."

Clear and concise explanations.

"The lecturer, does an excellent job of keeping things organized."

Audio issues may be distracting.

"my biggest issue with it is that the audio is distorted in all of the videos, this makes it very distracting especially when each session is over 2 hours long (far too long in my opinion)."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Game Development with these activities:

The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses

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Expand your knowledge of game design principles and techniques by reading this classic book.

View The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes
Apply the concepts you learn to your own game projects

LeetCode Problem Solving Practice

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Sharpen your coding skills and prepare for coding challenges by solving LeetCode problems.

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Start with easy problems
Gradually increase the difficulty of problems
Review your solutions and learn from your mistakes

Follow a Unity Tutorial

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Follow a tutorial to create a specific type of game or implement a specific feature, such as a first-person shooter or a character controller.

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Find a tutorial that you want to follow.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to create your own game.
Experiment with different aspects of the game to see how they work.

Seven other activities

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Create a Simple Unity Game

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Create your own simple game to solidify your understanding of the basics of game development.

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Create a new Unity project.
Set up the game scene and objects.
Write code to control the movement of the game objects.

Brackeys Game Development Series

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of game development through this series of tutorials.

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Watch the tutorials in order
Apply what you learn to your own game projects

Design a Game Prototype

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Create a prototype of your own game idea to test its feasibility and get feedback from others.

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Brainstorm and come up with a game idea.
Create a game design document.
Create a prototype of your game using Unity.
Playtest your prototype and get feedback.

Unity Tutorial: Build Your First 2D Game

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Start learning the basics of Unity and game development by building a simple 2D game.

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Follow the tutorial step-by-step
Experiment with different Unity features

Build a Simple Platformer Game

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Reinforce your understanding of game development by building a complete platformer game from scratch.

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Design the game's levels
Create the player character and enemies
Implement the game's physics and mechanics

Create a Game Design Document

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Improve your planning and organization skills by creating a comprehensive game design document for your game project.

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Define the scope and goals of your game
Outline the gameplay mechanics
Design the game's levels and characters

Attend Game Development Meetups

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Connect with other game developers and learn from their experiences.

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Find game development meetups in your area
Attend meetups regularly
Network with other attendees

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Game Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

Game Designers plan and create the overall gameplay and mechanics of video games. They use their knowledge of game design principles and software tools to create immersive and engaging experiences for players. This course provides a solid foundation in game design concepts and development tools, including Unity3D and C#, making it an excellent starting point for aspiring Game Designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Game Developer

Game Developers bring video game concepts to life by translating designs into code and implementing gameplay features. This course introduces the industry-standard Unity3D game engine and C# programming language, providing hands-on experience in game development. By completing the three projects in this course, students gain valuable practical skills that will prepare them for a career as a Game Developer.

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Game Programmer

Game Programmers use their programming skills to create the code that drives video games. They work closely with Game Designers to implement gameplay mechanics and ensure the game runs smoothly and efficiently. The focus on C# programming and the use of Unity3D in this course provide a solid foundation for aspiring Game Programmers, giving them the technical skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Game Artist

Game Artists create the visual elements of video games, including characters, environments, and objects. They use their artistic skills and software tools to bring the game world to life. While this course does not explicitly cover game art, it provides a foundation in game design principles and development tools, which can be beneficial for Game Artists who want to understand the overall game development process and contribute their skills effectively.

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Game Producer

Game Producers oversee the development and production of video games. They manage budgets, timelines, and teams, ensuring that games are completed on time and within scope. This course may be useful for aspiring Game Producers as it provides insights into the game development process and the tools and techniques used in the industry.

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Technical Artist

Technical Artists bridge the gap between art and technology in video game development. They use their technical skills to create game assets and effects that are both visually appealing and technically feasible. This course provides a foundation in game design principles and development tools, which can be beneficial for Technical Artists who want to understand the technical aspects of game development and create assets that meet the needs of the game.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts ensure the quality of software products, including video games. They perform testing, identify defects, and work with developers to resolve issues. This course provides a foundation in game design principles and development tools, which can be beneficial for Quality Assurance Analysts who want to specialize in video game testing.

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Game Tester

Game Testers play video games to identify and report bugs and issues. They help ensure that games are released in a polished and bug-free state. This course may be useful for aspiring Game Testers as it provides insights into the game development process and the tools and techniques used in the industry.

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Game Writer

Game Writers create the stories, dialogue, and characters for video games. They work closely with Game Designers to develop the game's narrative and ensure that it is engaging and memorable. While this course does not explicitly cover game writing, it does provide a foundation in game design principles and development tools, which can be beneficial for Game Writers who want to understand the overall game development process and contribute their skills effectively.

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User Experience (UX) Designer

UX Designers focus on the user experience of digital products, including video games. They conduct user research, design interfaces, and evaluate usability to create games that are enjoyable and easy to use. This course may be useful for aspiring UX Designers as it provides insights into the game development process and the tools and techniques used in the industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Designer

Game Audio Designer

Game Audio Designers create the sound effects, music, and voiceovers for video games. They use their musical and technical skills to enhance the gameplay experience and immerse players in the game world. While this course does not explicitly cover game audio design, it does provide a foundation in game design principles and development tools, which can be beneficial for Game Audio Designers who want to understand the overall game development process and contribute their skills effectively.

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Game Publisher

Game Publishers finance, publish, and distribute video games. They work with game developers to bring games to market and manage the business aspects of game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Game Publishers as it provides insights into the game development process and the tools and techniques used in the industry.

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Esports Player

eSports Players compete in professional video game competitions. They train regularly and participate in tournaments to earn prize money and recognition. While this course does not explicitly cover eSports, it can provide a foundation in game design principles and development tools, which can be beneficial for aspiring eSports Players who want to understand the technical aspects of the games they play and improve their gameplay.

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Game Marketing Manager

Game Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns for video games. They work closely with game developers to create marketing materials, manage social media, and promote games to the public. This course may be useful for aspiring Game Marketing Managers as it provides insights into the game development process and the tools and techniques used in the industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Marketing Manager

Game Localization Manager

Game Localization Managers oversee the translation and localization of video games into different languages and cultures. They work with translators, voice actors, and other professionals to ensure that games are accessible to players worldwide. This course may be useful for aspiring Game Localization Managers as it provides insights into the game development process and the tools and techniques used in the industry.

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Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Game Development.

Introduction to Game Design, Prototyping, and...

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Introduces many of the key principles and concepts used in game design, including game mechanics, world building, and narrative design. It also provides a step-by-step guide for prototyping and developing your own game using Unity and C#.

Introduction to Game Development

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Reviews summary

Intriguing primer for game development

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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