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Introduction to Game Design

Ryan Laley

This course introduces the fundamentals of video games and delves into the intricate art of game design, exploring concepts from generating original game ideas to crafting comprehensive design documents. Throughout the modules, learners will discover the iterative process of game development, emphasizing teamwork and reflection as essential components of creating compelling interactive experiences.

This course is for learners of any experience level who want an introductory understanding of the video game industry.

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What's inside

Syllabus

What is Game Design?
In this module you will be learning all about video games and in particular what we mean when it comes to 'game design'.
Designing Your First Game
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the iterative design process, which is essential for refining game mechanics and ensuring a polished final product
Teaches how to create design documents, which are essential for communicating game ideas to development teams and stakeholders
Presented by Epic Games, which is known for developing popular games and the Unreal Engine, a leading game engine
Emphasizes teamwork, which is a core component of game development and helps learners develop collaborative skills
Requires learners to generate original game ideas, which fosters creativity and problem-solving skills

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Reviews summary

Foundations in game design principles

According to students, this course provides a solid introduction to the fundamental concepts of game design. Learners praise its clear structure and ability to break down complex ideas, making it ideal for beginners or those new to the field. The focus on the iterative design process and the culminating task of creating a Game Design Document (GDD) are highlighted as practical takeaways. However, some learners note that the course is heavily theoretical and lacks practical implementation, such as coding or using game development software, suggesting it's best viewed as a conceptual foundation rather than a hands-on development guide.
Ideal for those with no prior game design experience.
"Perfectly pitched for someone with zero experience in game design."
"Didn't feel lost at all, even though I knew nothing beforehand."
"Highly recommend this course for absolute beginners looking to start."
"Made the complex world of game design accessible for newcomers."
Emphasis on the Game Design Document is a practical takeaway.
"Loved working on my own design document; it felt like a real task."
"Creating the GDD felt like a very valuable and practical exercise."
"The module on design documentation was particularly insightful."
"Learning how to structure a GDD was incredibly useful."
Provides an excellent introduction to game design basics.
"Really helped me understand the basics of game design."
"A great starting point if you're new to the field."
"Covers all the fundamental concepts clearly and concisely."
"I feel like I have a good grasp of the design process now."
May not challenge learners with prior knowledge.
"Already knew most of this from other resources; it was too introductory."
"Felt very slow-paced and basic for someone with some background."
"If you've designed games or taken similar courses, this might be too elementary."
"I was hoping for a bit more depth, but it stays very high-level."
Primarily theoretical, needs more hands-on software/coding.
"Wish it had covered some actual game development tools or engines."
"Expected some coding or engine basics, but it's purely design theory."
"It's more theory than practice, which wasn't quite what I hoped for."
"Would have been better with some hands-on exercises in a game engine."

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 Design with these activities:
Brainstorm 10 Game Ideas
Generate a wide range of game ideas to spark creativity and prepare for the design documentation module.
Show steps
  • Set aside dedicated time for brainstorming.
  • Use prompts or themes to generate initial ideas.
  • Document each idea with a brief description.
Review basic storytelling principles
Strengthen your understanding of narrative design, which is crucial for creating engaging game experiences.
Browse courses on Narrative Design
Show steps
  • Review basic plot structures (e.g., Freytag's Pyramid).
  • Study character archetypes and their roles in stories.
  • Analyze the narrative of a well-known game.
Reference 'Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design'
Gain practical insights into game design from an industry veteran.
View Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Level Up!'
  • Read chapters relevant to your current design challenges.
  • Apply the book's advice to your game design project.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses'
Understand core game design principles through the lens of an industry expert.
View The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Art of Game Design'.
  • Read the book, focusing on key design principles.
  • Apply the 'lens' approach to analyze existing games.
Peer Review of Game Design Documents
Improve your design document through constructive feedback from peers, enhancing your understanding of effective communication.
Show steps
  • Share your game design document with a peer.
  • Provide constructive feedback on their document.
  • Discuss strengths and areas for improvement.
Create a Pitch Document for a Game Idea
Practice creating a compelling pitch document, a crucial skill for communicating game ideas to others.
Show steps
  • Choose one of your brainstormed game ideas.
  • Develop a concise and engaging pitch document.
  • Include key elements like gameplay, target audience, and unique selling points.
Prototype a Simple Game Mechanic
Solidify your understanding of game mechanics by creating a working prototype, allowing you to test and refine your ideas.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific game mechanic to prototype.
  • Use a game engine (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) or a prototyping tool (e.g., GameMaker) to create a basic implementation.
  • Test and iterate on the prototype based on feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Game Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Game Designer
A Game Designer is responsible for the vision of a game, from concept to implementation. The role demands a deep understanding of game mechanics, user experience, and the ability to translate creative ideas into actionable design documents. This course helps you begin by learning the fundamentals of video games and delving into the intricate art of game design. By understanding the iterative process of game development and how to craft a design document, you will learn how to communicate ideas and to work in teams. This is core to the role of a game designer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer
Level Designer
A Level Designer shapes the interactive environments within a game. This role focuses on crafting compelling spaces that align with a game's design goals and player experience. This course helps a Level Designer gain a solid foundation in designing games by exploring concepts from generating original game ideas to crafting comprehensive design documents. Level Designers need to understand game design principles, so learning the iterative process of game development is a valuable part of an aspiring Level Designer's education.
See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer
Project Manager
A Project Manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of game development projects. This role requires strong organizational and leadership skills. This course may help a Project Manager because it provides a foundational understanding of game development, which helps a Project Manager work effectively with the design and development teams. The course highlights the importance of team work and iterative processes, both of which are essential for a Project Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Narrative Designer
Narrative Designers craft the stories, characters, and worldbuilding within a game. The role requires a blend of creative writing and understanding of game mechanics to ensure that the narrative enhances the interactive experience. This course may be useful, as it helps you learn what effective game design looks like and gives you a foundational understanding of video game development. The course's emphasis on team work is useful for a collaborative role like Narrative Designer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Narrative Designer
User Experience Designer
A User Experience Designer focuses on how a player interacts with a game. They strive to make game experiences that are intuitive and enjoyable. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in game design and the iterative design process, teaching about the importance of teamwork and reflection. Understanding game design helps a User Experience Designer make informed decisions about how players will use a game.
See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer
Game Producer
A Game Producer manages game development projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This role combines project management with an understanding of game design. This course may be helpful for a Game Producer, as it introduces the iterative process of game development and the importance of teamwork. Understanding how a game is designed, through the creation of a design document, can help a producer manage the team.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Producer
Quality Assurance Tester
A Quality Assurance Tester rigorously plays a game to identify bugs, issues, and areas for improvement, ensuring the final product meets standards of quality. This course may be useful as it introduces the fundamentals of game design, alongside the iterative process of game development. Recognizing the design process allows a tester to spot flaws in an effective way.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Tester
Gameplay Programmer
A Gameplay Programmer is responsible for implementing game mechanics, player controls, and other interactive elements within a game. The role requires strong programming skills and an understanding of game design. This course may be useful for a Gameplay Programmer, as it helps build a foundation in game design principles. Programming should be paired with a knowledge of design concepts in order to build an effective and playable game or system.
See salaries and explore the career path for Gameplay Programmer
Concept Artist
A Concept Artist creates the initial visual designs for a game, including characters, environments, and props. This role requires strong artistic skills and an understanding of game design. This course may be helpful for a Concept Artist as it introduces the basics of game design. Understanding the mechanics of the game and the development process helps the Concept Artist create art that fits well with the game, and with the game's needs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist
Technical Artist
A Technical Artist bridges the gap between art and technology in game development. They create tools and workflows to support the art creation process. This course may be helpful as it helps a Technical Artist to develop a knowledge of game design, which underpins the needs of visual artists, ensuring that the technical infrastructure works with the game as a whole. Understanding design and the iterative process of game development helps the Technical Artist to prioritize their efforts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist
Community Manager
A Community Manager connects with players, fostering a sense of belonging and gathering feedback. This role requires strong communication skills and an understanding of the gaming community. This course may be helpful as it introduces the fundamentals of video games, which is vital for someone who will be engaging with players and fans of games. Understanding game design and development may give a community manager a deeper connection to their work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager
Sound Designer
A Sound Designer creates the audio elements of a game, from sound effects to music. This role requires technical expertise and an understanding of the ways in which audio can enhance the player experience. This course may be helpful as the creation of games requires a collaborative, iterative development process. As someone who works with the game's design, it is useful for a Sound Designer to have some familiarity with the iterative design process of game development.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst collects and interprets data from a game, helping developers make informed decisions about balance, player behavior, and monetization. This role requires an analytical mindset and an understanding of game mechanics. This course may be helpful because understanding game design is a crucial component of the analytical process, requiring an ability to interpret data in the context of design. Having some familiarity with how games are made is useful for anyone analyzing data from games.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Game Writer
A Game Writer crafts the dialogue, lore, and other written content for a game. This role requires creative writing skills and an understanding of game design. This course may be useful as it teaches about the iterative process of game development, introducing aspects of collaboration that a Game Writer will need to be familiar with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Writer
Marketing Specialist
A Marketing Specialist develops and executes marketing campaigns to promote a game. They need a good understanding of game design and the target audience. This course may be helpful for a Marketing Specialist in the gaming industry because understanding game design can help with their role. Learning from the iterative design process will also provide some insight into how games are made and received.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Design.
Cover image
The Art of Game Design
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of game design principles, using a 'lens' approach to examine games from various perspectives. It's a valuable resource for understanding the core concepts discussed in the course and applying them to your own game designs. The book is commonly used as a textbook in game design programs and offers practical exercises to reinforce learning. It adds depth to the course by providing a structured framework for analyzing and creating games.
The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third...
Paperback
$$$
The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses
Paperback
$$$
The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Second...
Paperback
$$$$
(Français) L'art du game design - Nouvelle édition: Se...
Paperback
$$$
The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design
Save
Offers practical advice and techniques for designing engaging and fun video games. It covers a wide range of topics, from level design to character development, and provides real-world examples to illustrate key concepts. It useful reference tool for students looking to improve their game design skills. This book adds breadth to the course by covering a wide range of topics.
Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design
Paperback
Check
Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
2 weeks of study, 10 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Epic Games
Instructor
Ryan Laley
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 Pусский Bahasa Indonesia ไทย tiếng Việt
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the iterative design process, which is essential for refining game mechanics and ensuring a polished final product
Teaches how to create design documents, which are essential for communicating game ideas to development teams and stakeholders
Presented by Epic Games, which is known for developing popular games and the Unreal Engine, a leading game engine
Emphasizes teamwork, which is a core component of game development and helps learners develop collaborative skills
Requires learners to generate original game ideas, which fosters creativity and problem-solving skills
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