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CS50's Introduction to Game Development

In a quest to understand how video games themselves are implemented, you'll explore the design of such childhood games as:

Super Mario Bros.
Pong
Flappy Bird
Breakout
Match 3
Legend of Zelda
Angry Birds
Pokémon
3D Helicopter Game
Dreadhalls
Portal

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What's inside

Learning objective

Via lectures and hands-on projects, the course explores principles of 2d and 3d graphics, animation, sound, and collision detection using frameworks like unity and löve 2d, as well as languages like lua and c#. by class’s end,you'llhave programmed several ofyour own games and gained a thorough understanding of the basics of game design and development.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops core skills for the 2D and 3D video game development pipeline

Explores topics highly relevant to game design and development in particular, and computer programming in general

Offers hands-on labs and materials that help you learn by doing

Provides a solid foundation for both beginners and learners with some prior experience

Modules are delivered by two recognized game development instructors

Taught by David J Malan and Colton Ogden, who have substantial histories in game design

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Reviews summary

Immersive, introductory game development

Learners say this beginner- and intermediate-friendly course is well-structured and brings beginners up to speed on game development fundamentals. The hands-on assignments, knowledgeable instructors, and real-world examples make the engaging material easy to understand

Relevant applications keep material engaging.

"The emphasis on real-world examples and practical applications of programming made the material more engaging and relevant."

Instructors are supportive and helpful.

"The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, always available to answer questions and provide guidance."

Hands-on exercises help learners apply concepts.

"The course was interactive, with plenty of hands-on exercises that allowed me to apply what I had learned."

Suitable for beginners, with no experience necessary.

"You don't need to have any experience to start the course as you can get along with the course very easily."

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 CS50's Introduction to Game Development with these activities:

Organize Course Materials and Notes

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Establish a strong foundation for learning by organizing your course materials.

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Review your notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Create a system for organizing and storing your materials.
Regularly review and update your organized materials.

Join a Game Development Study Group

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Expand your learning network and gain insights from peers by participating in a game development study group.

Browse courses on Game Development

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Find a study group that aligns with your interests and skill level.
Attend regular study sessions and actively participate in discussions.
Collaborate on projects and provide feedback to your group members.

Read 'Game Programming Patterns'

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Enhance your understanding of game design patterns and best practices.

View Crafting Interpreters on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Apply the patterns discussed in the book to your own game development projects.

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Create a 3D Helicopter Game Using Unity

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Reinforce your understanding of 3D game development by building a 3D helicopter game.

Browse courses on 3D Game Development

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Follow a Unity tutorial on creating a 3D helicopter game.
Customize the game with your own designs and features.

Attend a Game Development Workshop

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Gain practical experience and learn new techniques by attending a game development workshop.

Browse courses on Game Development

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Research and find a workshop that aligns with your interests and skill level.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.
Network with other participants and industry professionals.

Implement the Physics Engine of Super Mario Bros.

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Build a simplified physics engine by yourself to understand how Super Mario Bros.' physics engine.

Browse courses on Physics Engine

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Research the physics engine of Super Mario Bros.
Implement the core physics concepts, such as gravity, friction, and collision detection.
Test and debug the physics engine.

Create a Blog Post on Game Design

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Share your knowledge and insights on game design by writing a blog post.

Browse courses on Game Design

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Choose a specific topic within game design that you are passionate about.
Research and gather information to support your ideas.
Write a well-structured and engaging blog post.
Promote your blog post on social media and other platforms.

Design and Implement a Match-3 Game

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Solidify your grasp of game design principles by creating your own Match-3 game.

Browse courses on Game Design

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Design the game mechanics, including the rules, scoring system, and power-ups.
Implement the game using a game development framework or language.
Test and iterate on the game based on user feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete CS50's Introduction to Game Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

As a Game Designer, you will be responsible for the overall design and concept of a game, from the initial idea to the final product. This course will help you develop the skills you need to design engaging and challenging games, including the ability to create compelling characters, design levels, and incorporate game mechanics. You will also learn about the different aspects of game development, such as graphics, sound, and programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Game Developer

A Game Developer is responsible for implementing the Game Designer's vision into a playable game. This course will help you develop the programming and technical skills you need to create high-quality games, including the ability to work with game engines, create 3D models, and optimize code. You will also learn about the different stages of game development, from pre-production to post-release.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Game Programmer

As a Game Programmer, you will be responsible for creating the code that brings a game to life. This course will help you develop the programming skills you need to create a game's core mechanics, such as physics, collision detection, and AI. You will also learn about the different types of programming languages used in game development, such as C++ and C#.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Programmer

Game Artist

A Game Artist creates the visual content for a game, such as characters, environments, and props. This course will help you develop the artistic skills you need to create high-quality game art, including the ability to work with digital painting, 3D modeling, and animation. You will also learn about the different styles of game art, such as realistic, cartoonish, and anime.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Game Producer

As a Game Producer, you will be responsible for overseeing the development of a game, from start to finish. This course will help you develop the management and communication skills you need to lead a team of developers, artists, and designers. You will also learn about the different aspects of game production, such as budgeting, scheduling, and marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Producer

Animator

As an Animator, you will be responsible for creating the animations that bring a game's characters and objects to life. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality animations, including the ability to work with animation software, keyframing, and motion capture. You will also learn about the different types of animations, such as character animation, facial animation, and motion capture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Game Tester

A Game Tester is responsible for playing a game to find bugs and other problems. This course will help you develop the skills you need to test games effectively, including the ability to think critically, pay attention to detail, and communicate clearly. You will also learn about the different types of game testing, such as functional testing, performance testing, and localization testing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Tester

3D Modeler

As a 3D Modeler, you will be responsible for creating the 3D models that are used in games. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality 3D models, including the ability to work with 3D modeling software, UV mapping, and texturing. You will also learn about the different types of 3D models, such as characters, environments, and props.

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Technical Artist

As a Technical Artist, you will be responsible for bridging the gap between art and technology. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create technical solutions to artistic problems, such as the ability to work with shaders, particle systems, and physics. You will also learn about the different types of technical art, such as lighting, effects, and procedural generation.

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Audio Engineer

As an Audio Engineer, you will be responsible for creating the sound effects and music that are used in games. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality audio, including the ability to work with audio software, sound design, and music production. You will also learn about the different types of audio, such as sound effects, music, and voice acting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Game Writer

As a Game Writer, you will be responsible for writing the story and dialogue for a game. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create compelling and engaging stories, including the ability to write dialogue, plot, and character development. You will also learn about the different types of game writing, such as narrative writing, quest writing, and dialogue writing.

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UX Designer

As a UX Designer, you will be responsible for designing the user interface for a game. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create a user-friendly and intuitive interface, including the ability to work with user research, prototyping, and graphic design. You will also learn about the different aspects of UX design, such as navigation, layout, and typography.

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Level Designer

As a Level Designer, you will be responsible for creating the levels for a game. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create engaging and challenging levels, including the ability to work with level design software, world building, and environmental storytelling. You will also learn about the different types of levels, such as combat levels, puzzle levels, and stealth levels.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Gameplay Programmer

As a Gameplay Programmer, you will be responsible for creating the code that controls the gameplay of a game. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create a fun and engaging gameplay experience, including the ability to work with game mechanics, AI, and physics. You will also learn about the different types of gameplay programming, such as character control, level scripting, and enemy AI.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gameplay Programmer

Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course will help you develop the programming skills you need to create high-quality software, including the ability to work with software development tools, data structures, and algorithms. You will also learn about the different aspects of software engineering, such as software design, testing, and deployment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Reading list

We've selected 14 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 CS50's Introduction to Game Development.

Introduction to Game Design, Prototyping, and...

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Provides a high-level overview of all aspects of game development, including design, programming, art, and audio. It great starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about the field.

CS50's Introduction to Game Development

What's inside

Learning objective

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Immersive, introductory game development

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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