Game Design and Development 1: 2D Shooter from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

From Game Player to Game Developer

The only thing more fun than playing games is making them. You can make games. All it takes is some time, a willingness to learn and a passion to create. You don't need to be a "coder" to make games. Part of the beauty of games is that they take a variety of skills to make. Art, creativity, and systems thinking are just as important as code. Join us in this journey into game making! This first module will provide you with an overview of this course and the entire specialization. The module will also introduce you to the game design and development process and get you up and running with Unity, the game engine we will use across this course.

Understanding Core Unity Concepts

One of the reasons we use Unity is its visual editor which makes creating interactive games accessible to both creative and technical individuals. In this module, you will continue working on the Solar System project and from start to finish. Using a variety of graphical and audio assets and a library of scripts, you will create a simple model of our solar system. By the end of the module, you should have a good understanding of the Unity editor, the core concepts of building projects in Unity, and the workflow for creating games.

Building Your First Game

Unity is a powerful tool for creating games. In this module, you will create your first actual game from start to finish in the form of a 2D Shooter game. This is your right of passage into game development! In the first part of the assignment, follow along with the tutorial videos in this module. In the second part of the project, you will modify the game to make it your own.

Coding Gameplay Systems and Finishing Up

Now, don't get scared, but games need code. Code is the canvas upon which game systems are painted. However, that doesn't mean you need to be a C# ninja. In this module, you will start to learn the ins-and-outs of programming C# in Unity. In this module, you will also finish up the 2D Shooter project, submit it for peer review, and peer review your fellow learners games. Finish the course strong!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to game development, making it suitable for absolute beginners

Uses the Unity 2020 game engine, an industry-standard tool for game development

Involves hands-on projects, including an Intro to Unity project and a 2D Shooter game, to give learners practical experience

Reviews summary

Unity game design and development

This beginner-friendly course, learners say, is a solid introduction to basic game design and Unity. Students largely positive impressions of the engaging assignments, clear explanations, and well-organized course structure; however, the jump in difficulty in week 3 was challenging for some students. Note that while the course doesn't require programming experience, some prior knowledge of C# may be helpful. Overall, students recommend this course as a great starting point for aspiring game designers.

No programming experience required, but some C# knowledge helpful.

"It would be even better if there were explanations provided for why certain things are done the way they are, or if there were more guided modifications for the student to make to the provided Assets and Scripts."

"I really dislike the Peer-Graded Assignment system. Yes, I learned a lot from my peers but I think there are some issues with the system."

Solid introduction to game design and Unity.

"Great start up course to get one well introduce to game design concepts and theories and also a bit of Unity programming fundamentals."

"This course was great! I learned a lot about Unity and about making games!"

Well-organized, clear explanations.

"The main teacher has a good way of explaining and keeping you motivated."

"First half of the course was excellent. Tutorials were enough for the assignments and it was very helpful."

Engaging, but week 3 modifications may be difficult for beginners.

"The part of the 2D shooter project that asked for 3 modifications was extremely difficult if you have never used Unity before"

"Most of the modifications asked for us to create our own artwork/music or use assets that were not provided to us."

Beginner-friendly, but week 3 is more challenging.

"The TA moves too quickly, often goes silent as he changes settings, or inserts text captions in the video instead of speaking, and is generally confusing and extremely frustrating."

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 Game Design and Development 1: 2D Shooter with these activities:

Review Basic Computer Science Concepts

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This course builds upon the fundamentals of computer science. Reviewing these basic computer science concepts will better prepare you for the course materials.

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Review your notes, assignments, and exams from a previous introductory computer science course.
Read a textbook on basic computer science concepts.
Take a practice quiz on basic computer science concepts.

Gather Game Development Resources

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Having access to relevant resources can greatly aid your learning. Gathering a collection of useful materials will provide you with a valuable library for future reference.

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Search online for articles, tutorials, and videos on game development.
Bookmark or save helpful resources in a dedicated folder or online repository.
Explore the Unity Asset Store for useful assets and tools.

Watch Unity Tutorial Videos

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This course uses Unity as the game engine to build games. Getting comfortable with Unity will help you follow along easily.

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Browse YouTube or other video platforms for beginner-friendly Unity tutorials.
Follow the tutorials to create a simple 2D or 3D game.

Six other activities

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Read 'Game Development for Beginners' by R. Pope

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This book provides a comprehensive introduction to game development, covering the fundamentals of game design, programming, and art.

View Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Assessing... on Amazon

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Read through the book's chapters on Unity, C#, and basic game design principles.
Complete the book's exercises and challenges to practice your skills.

Design a Game Concept

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Before diving into coding, it's essential to design the concept of your game. This will serve as a roadmap for your development process.

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Brainstorm game ideas and choose one that resonates with you.
Define the game's core mechanics, objectives, and target audience.
Create a game design document that outlines your concept in detail.

Practice C# Coding Exercises

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This course uses C# for coding the game logic. Practicing C# coding exercises will strengthen your coding skills.

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Join an online coding platform like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Solve easy and medium-level C# coding challenges.
Review your solutions and learn from the discussions.

Join a Study Group or Online Forum

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Connecting with other learners can enhance your understanding. Joining a study group or online forum will allow you to share knowledge, ask questions, and collaborate on projects.

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Search for study groups or online forums related to game development.
Join a group that aligns with your learning goals.
Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your knowledge.

Build a Simple 2D Game

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The best way to learn game development is by building games. Building a simple 2D game will give you hands-on experience and solidify your understanding.

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Choose a simple game idea, such as a platformer or a shooter.
Create a new project in Unity and set up the game scene.
Implement the game mechanics, such as player movement, enemy AI, and collision detection.
Add graphics and sound effects to your game.

Connect with a Game Development Mentor

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Guidance from an experienced mentor can provide invaluable insights and accelerate your progress in game development.

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Attend game development meetups or events to network with professionals.
Reach out to game developers on LinkedIn or other platforms.
Ask for guidance on specific topics or challenges you encounter.

Career center

Learners who complete Game Design and Development 1: 2D Shooter will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

Game Designers are responsible for creating the overall concept and design of video games. They work closely with programmers, artists, and other team members to bring their vision to life. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game design, including game mechanics, level design, and user experience. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Game Developer

Game Developers are responsible for programming, designing, and testing video games. They work closely with Game Designers to bring their vision to life. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game development, including programming, art, and sound design. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Programmer

Programmers are responsible for writing the code that makes video games work. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to implement the game's mechanics and features. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of programming, including C# scripting. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Programmer in the video game industry.

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Game Tester

Game Testers are responsible for testing video games to ensure that they are free of bugs and meet the quality standards. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to identify and fix any issues. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game testing, including black box testing, white box testing, and performance testing. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Tester.

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Artist

Artists are responsible for creating the visual assets for video games, including characters, environments, and props. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to bring their vision to life. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game art, including 2D and 3D modeling, texturing, and animation. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as an Artist in the video game industry.

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UI Designer

UI Designers are responsible for creating the user interface (UI) for video games. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to design UIs that are both user-friendly and visually appealing. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of UI design, including layout, typography, and iconography. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a UI Designer.

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Level Designer

Level Designers are responsible for creating the levels and environments that players explore in video games. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to design levels that are both fun and challenging. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of level design, including level layout, enemy placement, and puzzle design. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Level Designer.

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Game Researcher

Game Researchers are responsible for conducting research on video games to improve their design, development, and impact. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to identify new trends and technologies. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game research, including research methods, data analysis, and reporting. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Researcher.

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Game Producer

Game Producers are responsible for managing the development of video games. They work closely with Game Designers, Game Developers, and other team members to ensure that the game is completed on time and within budget. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game production, including project management, budgeting, and marketing. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Producer.

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Game Journalist

Game Journalists are responsible for writing about video games for magazines, websites, and other publications. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to provide insights into the latest games and trends. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game journalism, including writing, editing, and reporting. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Journalist.

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Game Marketer

Game Marketers are responsible for promoting and selling video games. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to create marketing campaigns that reach target audiences. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game marketing, including market research, advertising, and public relations. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Marketer.

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Game Writer

Game Writers are responsible for writing the story, dialogue, and other text for video games. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to create a compelling and engaging experience for players. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game writing, including storytelling, dialogue writing, and world building. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Writer.

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Game Analyst

Game Analysts are responsible for analyzing video games to identify trends and patterns. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to improve the quality and performance of games. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game analysis, including data collection, data analysis, and reporting. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Analyst.

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Game Educator

Game Educators are responsible for teaching video game design and development to students. They work closely with Game Designers and Game Developers to create curricula that prepare students for careers in the video game industry. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles of game education, including pedagogy, curriculum development, and assessment. By completing this course, you will be well-prepared to enter a career as a Game Educator.

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