Shooters and Game Engines in Level Design from edX

This program is based on the Game Design & VFX School at our LaSalle College’s Vancouver campus, crowned the #1 undergraduate school in Canada for video game design by the Princeton Review 10 years in a row.

Do you want to learn more about game genres and subgenres? This course continues your exploration of level design by introducing you to an important genre: the shooter. The shooter genre is huge in the game world, containing a wide variety of subgenres with their own gameplay needs. This course outlines some of these subgenres and identifies common shooter mechanics, level design considerations, and examples to help you understand how these concepts are applied. This course also provides you with the development tools that video game level designers use to build their levels.

No matter what genre of game you are designing for, the process of creating a level is similar. It requires planning, forethought, and constant testing and iteration. To ensure you’re on the right track, we finish off by reviewing all the key concepts you have learned throughout the three courses for the Level Design Professional Certificate, including the principles and terminology of good level design, specific considerations for certain genres, and the level design process.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn what shooter games are and appreciate the common level design shooter mechanics, elements and considerations.
Master the level design concepts and tools commonly found in single-player shooters and their specific level design considerations, such as level progression and pacing.

Evaluate whether a given shooter map is well designed.
Understand the function of a game engine and how level designers work with them.

Learn what shooter games are and appreciate the common level design shooter mechanics, elements and considerations.
Master the level design concepts and tools commonly found in single-player shooters and their specific level design considerations, such as level progression and pacing.
Evaluate whether a given shooter map is well designed.
Understand the function of a game engine and how level designers work with them.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores frameworks and concepts for designing levels for games that have shooter elements, which is standard in the games industry

Taught by Tahirah Mirza and John Appleby, instructors at LaSalle College’s Vancouver campus, known for its top-ranked video game design program

Provides foundational knowledge of level design principles, including planning, forethought, and constant testing and iteration

Covers the common level design shooter mechanics, elements and considerations, which are core skills for video game level designers

Includes hands-on labs and interactive materials to reinforce learning

Suitable for learners interested in pursuing a career in video game level design

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 Shooters and Game Engines in Level Design with these activities:

Connect with Experienced Shooter Game Designers

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Seek guidance and support from experienced shooter game designers to accelerate your learning.

Browse courses on Mentorship

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Identify potential mentors within the shooter game design industry.
Reach out and introduce yourself, expressing your interest in mentorship.
Establish regular communication and schedule meetings to discuss your progress.
Seek feedback and advice on your level design projects.

Participate in Level Design Critique Sessions

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Engage with peers to share and critique level designs, fostering collaboration and improving design skills.

Browse courses on Peer Feedback

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Join or organize a peer group focused on level design.
Share your level designs with the group for feedback.
Provide constructive criticism and feedback to others' level designs.
Incorporate feedback into your own level design iterations.

Contribute to Open-Source Shooter Map Projects

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Gain practical experience and collaborate with the wider game design community by contributing to open-source shooter map projects.

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Identify open-source shooter map projects that align with your interests.
Review the project documentation and contribute bug reports or feature suggestions.
Create your own level designs and contribute them to the project.
Collaborate with other contributors to refine and improve the project.

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Career center

Learners who complete Shooters and Game Engines in Level Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Level Designer

A Level Designer creates the environments in which video games take place. This course will help you understand the principles of level design, including how to create levels that are both fun and functional. You will also learn how to use game engines to build your levels, which is an essential skill for any Level Designer. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in level design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Game Designer

Game Designers are responsible for the overall design of video games, including the game's story, gameplay, and levels. This course will help you learn the fundamentals of game design, including how to create games that are both engaging and fun. You will also learn how to use game engines to build your games, which is an essential skill for any Game Designer. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in game design.

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Technical Artist

Technical Artists work with game designers and programmers to create the visual assets for video games, including the game's characters, environments, and objects. This course will help you learn the basics of 3D modeling and animation, which are essential skills for any Technical Artist. You will also learn how to use game engines to integrate your assets into games, which is an essential skill for any Technical Artist. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in technical art.

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Programmer

Programmers are responsible for writing the code that makes video games work. This course will help you learn the basics of programming, including how to create games using a game engine. You will also learn how to use programming to create your own custom game mechanics, which is an essential skill for any Programmer. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in programming.

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Game Tester

Game Testers play video games to find bugs and ensure that the games are working properly. This course will help you learn the basics of game testing, including how to identify and report bugs. You will also learn how to use game engines to test games, which is an essential skill for any Game Tester. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in game testing.

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Game Producer

Game Producers are responsible for managing the development of video games. This course will help you learn the basics of game production, including how to plan and budget a game project. You will also learn how to work with game designers, programmers, and artists to create a successful game. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in game production.

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Game Writer

Game Writers are responsible for writing the story and dialogue for video games. This course will help you learn the basics of game writing, including how to create compelling stories and characters. You will also learn how to work with game designers and programmers to integrate your writing into games, which is an essential skill for any Game Writer. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in game writing.

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Game Animator

Game Animators create the animations for video games, including the animations for the game's characters, environments, and objects. This course will help you learn the basics of game animation, including how to create realistic and fluid animations. You will also learn how to use game engines to integrate your animations into games, which is an essential skill for any Game Animator. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in game animation.

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Game Artist

Game Artists create the visual assets for video games, including the game's characters, environments, and objects. This course will help you learn the basics of game art, including how to create high-quality 2D and 3D art. You will also learn how to use game engines to integrate your art into games, which is an essential skill for any Game Artist. Overall, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to launch a career in game art.

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