Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay from Udemy

In this course we will take a simple 2D action platformer and you will learn a variety of techniques such as how to add screenshake, how to make damage seem persistant, the importance of player action feedback and much more, all to improve how your game feels to players and learn practical example of how to implement them in your games.

The course will be taught using Unity3D but these same principles and methods can be used in any system of development you choose. After completing the course you will also be given another starter project to apply the lessons learned throughout the course yourself, and see the effect these techniques can have in different game types.

Whether you are a beginner looking to expand your development knowledge or are just looking for ways to help make your game more fun to play, this course will help you gain a greater understanding of the importance of game feel.

Start learning today and let me help you become a game developer.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Project Overview

Project Files

Gameplay Basics

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses Unity3D, a popular game engine, but the principles taught are applicable to other game development systems, making it versatile for developers using different tools

Explores player action feedback, which is crucial for creating engaging and satisfying game experiences, and teaches developers how to implement it effectively

Covers practical techniques like screenshake, persistent damage, and improved animations, which are essential for enhancing the overall feel and polish of a game

Includes a starter project and a challenge project, providing hands-on experience and allowing learners to apply the techniques learned in different game scenarios

Examines the importance of sound effects and music in shaping the game's atmosphere and player experience, which is often overlooked but crucial for immersion

Focuses on improving gunplay mechanics, including bullet behavior, muzzle flash, and impact effects, which are vital for creating satisfying and impactful combat experiences

Reviews summary

Improving 2d gameplay feel in unity

According to inferred feedback based on the course content, learners say this course provides a strong practical focus on improving the game feel of 2D platformers. Students appreciate the concrete techniques shown for adding polish through elements like screenshake, impact effects, and player feedback. The course makes good use of Unity and includes project files, which helps make the hands-on implementation clear. While the principles are presented as universal, some note the heavy reliance on Unity examples, which might require extra effort for users of other engines. Overall, it seems particularly well-suited for beginners or intermediate developers looking to add a layer of polish to their projects.

Best for beginners and intermediate learners.

"This course is great for getting started with implementing game feel basics."

"If you're an experienced dev, some parts might feel too simple."

"Good introduction to polishing 2D games, perhaps not for advanced users."

"Solid foundational techniques for adding polish."

Breaks down many types of polish effects.

"I liked how many different specific effects were covered, like muzzle flash and knockback."

"The syllabus breaks down polish into many actionable steps."

"Good variety of effects shown, from camera shake to enemy reactions."

"Covers lots of small details that add up to better feel."

Utilizes Unity engine with project files.

"Following along in Unity with the provided project files was really helpful."

"The Unity examples make it easy to grasp the concepts."

"Good use of Unity to show how things are done."

"If you use Unity, this is a very straightforward guide."

Learn specific methods for gameplay polish.

"The course gives concrete examples for things like screenshake and impact effects."

"I learned exactly how to implement those little touches that make a game feel polished."

"Great practical examples for improving gameplay polish."

"It shows you step-by-step how to add visual and audio feedback."

Content is heavily demonstrated in Unity.

"While they say the principles are universal, the course is very Unity-focused."

"It takes some effort to translate the Unity code to other engines."

"Wish there was more discussion on adapting techniques outside of Unity."

"Be prepared to adapt if you're not using Unity."

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 Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay with these activities:

Review Unity Scripting Fundamentals

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Strengthen your understanding of C# scripting within Unity to better grasp the course's implementation of gameplay mechanics.

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Complete a basic Unity scripting tutorial.
Practice writing simple scripts for player movement and object interaction.

Review 'Game Feel: A Game Designer's Guide'

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Deepen your understanding of game feel principles by reading 'Game Feel: A Game Designer's Guide' to complement the course's practical techniques.

View Game Feel (Morgan Kaufmann Game Design Books) on Amazon

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Read selected chapters focusing on player feedback and responsiveness.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.
Relate the book's concepts to the course's lessons.

Implement Screenshake in a Simple Game

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Solidify your understanding of screenshake implementation by creating a small project focused solely on this effect.

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Create a new Unity project with a basic scene.
Implement a screenshake effect triggered by player actions.
Experiment with different screenshake parameters.
Refine the screenshake effect based on playtesting.

Four other activities

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Analyze Game Feel in Your Favorite Game

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Apply the course's concepts by analyzing the game feel of a game you enjoy, identifying specific techniques used to enhance the player experience.

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Choose a game with satisfying game feel.
Play the game and take notes on specific elements that contribute to the feel.
Write a short analysis of the game's feel, referencing course concepts.

Experiment with Sound Effects

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Practice manipulating sound effects to understand how they impact game feel, reinforcing the course's lessons on audio design.

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Find a free sound effects library.
Import sound effects into Unity.
Experiment with pitch, volume, and spatialization.
Apply sound effects to player actions and environmental events.

Review 'The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses'

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Expand your game design knowledge by reading 'The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses' to gain a broader perspective on creating engaging player experiences.

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

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Read selected chapters focusing on player psychology and game mechanics.
Apply the book's lenses to analyze existing games.
Consider how the lenses can inform your own game design decisions.

Create a Portfolio Piece Showcasing Improved Game Feel

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Demonstrate your mastery of game feel techniques by creating a polished portfolio piece that highlights the improvements you've made.

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Choose a small game project to improve.
Implement the techniques learned in the course.
Iterate on the game feel based on feedback.
Create a video showcasing the improved game feel.

Career center

Learners who complete Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Indie Game Developer

An indie game developer works independently or as part of a small team to create and publish their own games. They often handle multiple aspects of game development, including design, programming, and art. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course is especially beneficial for independent aspirants. The course offers practical methods for improving game feel, which is crucial for attracting and retaining players in the competitive indie market. The course will also introduce useful techniques such as screenshake, enhanced shooting, and player feedback implementation. The course's focus on Unity3D also provides a valuable skillset for indie developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indie Game Developer

Game Designer

A game designer is responsible for the overall vision and mechanics of a game. This individual conceptualizes the game's rules, story, and gameplay. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course helps game designers understand how to enhance player experience through techniques like screenshake, persistent damage effects, and impactful feedback. The focus on practical implementation in Unity3D and the inclusion of starter projects allows aspiring game designers to experiment and refine their skills, ensuring a more engaging and enjoyable final product. The course addresses aspects such as improving shooting mechanics, enemy impact, and camera work.

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Unity Developer

A Unity developer uses the Unity game engine to create video games and interactive experiences. Their responsibilities include scripting gameplay mechanics, designing user interfaces, and optimizing performance. This course, 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay,' specifically uses Unity3D, making it highly relevant for aspiring Unity developers. The course provides practical examples of how to implement various game feel techniques within the Unity environment. These techniques include adding screenshake, improving shooting mechanics, and creating impactful explosions. The course's focus on enhancing player experience aligns perfectly with the goals of a Unity developer to create engaging and fun games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Unity Developer

Gameplay Programmer

A gameplay programmer specializes in coding the interactive elements of a video game. They bring the game designer's vision to life by implementing the mechanics, controls, and artificial intelligence. Someone interested in being a gameplay programmer should appreciate that the 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course offers practical techniques for enhancing player interaction, especially through the modification of camera motions, improved shooting, and sound effects. Furthermore, the course provides an opportunity to work with starter projects in Unity3D, enabling gameplay programmers to apply learned concepts and refine their coding skills. This is particularly useful for building a portfolio and showcasing practical experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gameplay Programmer

Mobile Game Developer

A mobile game developer creates games specifically for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. They optimize games for smaller screens, touch controls, and limited processing power. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course helps mobile game developers understand how to create more engaging and enjoyable mobile games. Techniques in creating game feel include implementing effective touch controls, clear feedback mechanisms, and optimized graphics. This course will give the mobile developer the game feel necessary to make their game a success.

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Sound Designer

Sound designers create and implement audio elements for games, including sound effects, music, and dialogue. They work to create immersive soundscapes that enhance the player's experience. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course specifically emphasizes the importance of sound effects in creating a better game feel. It also addresses how to manipulate sound effects to achieve the desired impact. Aspiring sound designers should take this into consideration. The course mentions the impact of music in changing the game. This allows sound designers to understand how music can reinforce emotions.

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Level Designer

A level designer crafts the environments and layouts in a game to provide engaging and challenging experiences for players. They focus on gameplay flow, pacing, and visual storytelling within the game world. Aspiring level designers will find the 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course useful, especially regarding sections on camera movement and impact effects. These elements add depth and dynamism to level design, making environments feel more alive and responsive to the player's actions. The course's practical examples and starter projects also provide a hands-on approach to learning, allowing level designers to experiment with different techniques and refine their skills.

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Effects Artist

An effects artist creates visual effects for games, such as explosions, fire, water, and magic. They use a variety of software and techniques to bring these effects to life and enhance the game's atmosphere. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course includes dedicated sections on topics such as impact effects, explosions, and screenshake. These are important to effects artists. This course may enable Effects Artists to make important decisions regarding the magnitude, timing, and style of effects. The course's use of Unity3D also means artists will have a ready-to-use game engine in which to experiment.

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Technical Artist

A technical artist bridges the gap between art and programming, developing tools and workflows to facilitate the creation of visually stunning and performant games. They often work with shaders, visual effects, and animation systems. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course can improve the game feel of the visual elements that a technical artist creates. The course touches on topics such as sprite flashing and explosions, both of which can be manipulated with shaders or particle systems. It also discusses animations. Because the course is taught in Unity, technical artists will find direct applications with the Unity game engine.

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Animator

Animators create the movement and visual performance of characters, objects, and environments within a game. They use software tools to bring these elements to life and contribute to the game's overall aesthetic. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course directly addresses the importance of animations in improving the overall game experience. The course helps animators understand how to create more impactful and engaging animations. The course also explores how animations can be combined with other effects, such as screenshake and sound, to enhance player feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Creative Director

A creative director oversees the artistic vision and creative direction of a game. They guide the team in creating a cohesive and engaging player experience. While typically requiring years of experience, a creative director may find the 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course useful for refining their understanding of player engagement. The course addresses key elements, to build a truly enjoyable game. These include sound effects, persistent damage, and player feedback. The course helps creative directors make informed decisions to maximize the appeal and fun of their game.

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Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and test software applications. While not exclusively focused on games, their skills are transferable to the gaming industry. They often solve complex technical problems and optimize code for performance. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course, while game-specific, exposes software engineers to practical applications of coding principles within the Unity3D environment. The course will help them to write code for enhancing user experience through elements like screenshake and persistent damage. This exposure can broaden a software engineer's skillset, and helps build a foundation for entering the games industry.

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User Interface Designer

A user interface designer creates the visual layout and interactive elements of a game's interface. They focus on creating intuitive and user-friendly systems for players to navigate menus, access information, and control their characters. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course, although not directly focused on user interface, helps user interface designers understand the importance of feedback and clear communication. The course helps them understand how to design interfaces that feel responsive and engaging. This will maximize the impact of user interfaces on the game experience.

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Game Producer

A game producer manages the development process of a game, overseeing timelines, budgets, and team coordination. They ensure that the game is completed on time and within budget. The 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' course can enhance a game producer's understanding of the elements that contribute to a successful game. This knowledge helps producers make more informed decisions about resource allocation, schedule prioritization, and team direction, leading to a more polished and engaging final product. Understanding the techniques discussed in the course, such as screenshake and player feedback, will help producers to better communicate with designers and programmers.

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Video Game Quality Assurance Tester

A video game quality assurance tester plays video games and then identifies, documents, and reports software defects. They commonly ensure that games are stable, functional, and enjoyable for players. A video game quality assurance tester may benefit from taking 'Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay' because it will help them appreciate the importance of feedback, sound effects, and impact effects in building a great game. They will know what to look for as they play a game. Furthermore, the course may motivate them to help improve the quality of games even beyond locating bugs and glitches.

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Improve Your Game Design With Better Gameplay

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Improving 2d gameplay feel in unity

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