Introduction to Game Design: Game Systems and Balance from edX

This introductory course is based on the Game Design & VFX School at 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.

Game designers create the ideas and worlds of games—they design the environment, characters, game mechanics, goals and user experience. Successful game designers do this by applying the fundamentals of game system design and logic.

This course explains what game system design is, how it works, and how it relates to game mechanics, rules creation, and logical thinking and reasoning. Game balance is a crucial component of game design and development, so in this course we will focus on what game balance is and why it is important in terms of its relation to simplicity and complexity, dominant strategies, and skill and chance.

This course also dives into game balancing tools you can use to make your game a success, including risk and reward, physical and mental challenges, gameplay duration, and freedom versus control.

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What you'll learn

Use the different categories of game mechanics.
Design good rules for your games and apply logical thinking to game rules.
Achieve game balance through various tools, including fairness, challenge versus success, simplicity and complexity, dominant strategies, and skills versus chance.
Leverage other game balancing tools to affect game design and user experience.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by experts recognized for their work in video game design

Explores cutting-edge game system design techniques

Suitable for beginners in video game design

Emphasizes game balance and player experience

Provides tools and resources for game design practice

Reviews summary

Foundational game design theory and balance

According to learners, this course offers a strong theoretical foundation in game system design and balance, clearly explaining complex concepts like game mechanics and dominant strategies. It is particularly well-suited for beginners or those seeking a deep conceptual understanding of how games are designed, not necessarily how to build them. However, a notable point raised by students is the lack of practical application or hands-on projects, making it less ideal for those expecting to learn game development skills. While the instructor is knowledgeable and content is well-structured, a few noted that some examples felt generic or the pace could be slow.

Highly suitable for those new to game design concepts.

"Highly recommend for anyone curious about game design, even without prior experience."

"Perfect for understanding the 'design' part of game design, not the 'development'."

"This course is great for beginners who want to grasp the core concepts of game systems and balance."

Complex ideas are explained clearly by a knowledgeable instructor.

"The content on game mechanics and balance was incredibly well-structured and easy to grasp. The instructor's explanations were clear and engaging."

"The concepts are explained thoroughly, and the logical thinking exercises were very beneficial."

"The instructor does a great job breaking down complex ideas. For anyone serious about game design theory, this is a must."

Some found the pace slow or examples generic/outdated.

"Some of the examples felt a little generic, but overall, a worthwhile investment of time."

"The instructor was knowledgeable, but the pace sometimes felt slow. Also, some lectures felt a bit dry, like reading a textbook aloud."

"I found the course very informative... The lectures were clear, though perhaps a bit dry at times."

Focuses purely on concepts, without hands-on projects.

"I was hoping for more practical application or tools. It's very conceptual. If you're looking for something that teaches you how to *make* games, this isn't it."

"I enrolled hoping to learn how to actually design games, but this course is purely conceptual. It's like a long lecture series without any hands-on assignments."

"It's definitely for people interested in the 'design' rather than the 'development' side, so don't expect to build a game by the end of it."

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: Game Systems and Balance with these activities:

Write a Game Design Document

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Enhance understanding of game design principles by developing a comprehensive design document that outlines the game's mechanics, features, and vision.

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Outline the game's concept and goals.
Define the game's mechanics and rules.
Describe the game's environment, characters, and story.
Create a mock-up or prototype of the game's interface.
Share your game design document with others for feedback.

Create a Small Game

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Reinforce game mechanics and development principles through the creation of a simple functional game.

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Brainstorm ideas and select a concept for your game.
Design the game mechanics and rules.
Create the game assets and environment.
Implement the game logic and programming.
Test and refine your game.

Design a Game Level

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Apply game design principles to create a challenging and engaging game level.

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Playtest the level and gather feedback.
Iterate and refine the level based on feedback.
Define the level's objectives and goals.
Design the level layout and obstacles.
Implement the level's mechanics and puzzles.

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Career center

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

Game Designer

Game Designers are responsible for the conceptualization and development of video games. From the initial idea to the final product, they are involved in every aspect of the design process, including creating game mechanics, levels, characters, and stories. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of game design, covering topics such as game mechanics, rule creation, and game balance. It can provide Game Designers with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Level Designer

Level Designers are responsible for creating the physical spaces in which video games take place. They design the layout, obstacles, and challenges that players must overcome. This course offers a foundation in game mechanics and level design principles that can be applied to creating engaging and challenging levels for video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Game Programmer

Game Programmers are responsible for turning game designs into playable code. They work closely with Game Designers to implement the game's mechanics, physics, and artificial intelligence. This course offers an introduction to game programming concepts and techniques that can help Game Programmers build a solid foundation in game development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Programmer

Game Producer

Game Producers are responsible for overseeing the development and production of video games. They manage budgets, schedules, and teams of developers. This course offers an overview of game production processes and methodologies that can help Game Producers succeed in the field.

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Game Analyst

Game Analysts are responsible for analyzing game data and providing insights to improve game design and development. They use their knowledge of game mechanics and player behavior to identify areas for improvement. This course offers an introduction to game analysis techniques and tools that can help Game Analysts succeed in the field.

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Game Tester

Game Testers are responsible for playing video games to identify bugs and other issues. They provide feedback to developers to help improve the game's quality. This course offers an introduction to game testing principles and techniques that can help Game Testers succeed in the field.

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Game Writer

Game Writers are responsible for creating 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 entertaining. This course offers an introduction to game writing techniques and principles that can help Game Writers succeed in the field.

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Game Artist

Game Artists are responsible for creating the visual assets for video games, including characters, environments, and props. They work closely with Game Designers to bring the game's world to life. This course offers an introduction to game art principles and techniques that can help Game Artists succeed in the field.

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