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Whether you’re a total beginner interested in game design, or a current programmer looking to switch career paths, there are several online courses for game development that span a variety of skill levels and specializations.
Most courses arm students with the conceptual and technical knowledge needed to advance, plus projects for their portfolios and the option to earn a certificate of completion.
Below, you’ll find a few of the best and most affordable options whether you want to dabble in a new hobby or up-skill to stand out in the job market. Courses range in specificity, length, and emphasis to best suit individual needs.
Time commitment: 6 weeks
Certificate: Yes
Perfect for beginners, this course teaches students how to build games completely from scratch by learning to code in JavaScript and use the Phaser.js library to add visual effects and put the whole game together.
Students end the course with three completed games.
Time commitment: Approximately 7 months
Certificate: Yes
This specialization (which includes four courses and a final project) is great for beginners. It assumes no programming experience, and students learn to program in C# and then use those new skills to create Unity games.
Each of the courses includes exercises to instruct students on concepts in C# and Unity — from 10-20 exercises per course to several larger C# console applications and Unity prototypes, as well as two complete games. In the final capstone course, students implement their own game idea using Unity and C#.
Time commitment: Approximately 7 months
Certificate: Yes
This five-course program is Unity’s official series and is designed to prepare students for the Unity Certified 3D Artist exam. Students will work on two main projects: A Kitchen Configuration application with a realistic look and a 3D video game level with a “stylized science-fantasy” aesthetic. Across both, learners import assets, manipulate materials, create prefabs, add lighting, and more.
This course is best suited for those who have been using Unity for real-time rendering for one or two years and are looking to demonstrate a professional standard.
Time commitment: 34 hours of instruction
Certificate: Yes
Students learn C# from scratch so no programming experience is necessary, though it may be helpful. On top of building a solid foundational understanding, students create playable game projects to use in their portfolios and become adept at using the Unity game engine. Students also develop transferable skills like coding, problem-solving, and applying knowledge from this course to .NET and other languages.
This course is fitting for everyone from beginners to developers looking to re-skill.
Time commitment: Approximately 6 months
Certificate: Yes
This program (which includes two courses) is designed to build a broad understanding of computer science, programming, and software development, as well as empower students to feel comfortable in the fundamentals of game design and development.
Students are introduced to concepts like abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. Students also work on familiarity with multiple languages such as C, Python, JavaScript, SQL, CSS, and HTML, as well as the principles of 2D and 3D work.
Time commitment: 2 hours
Certificate: No
This two-hour project-based course helps students learn the basics of game development with Python using PyGame modules. Students learn concepts like creating a game loop and image display through hands-on experience.
The course is designed for students looking to get started with game development who already have some prior programming experience in Python.
Time commitment: 31 hours
Certificate: Yes
This course is designed for students from beginners to developers and existing programmers who are looking to re-skill.
Students learn everything from C++, Git, and programming patterns and best practices to transferable problem-solving skills and vector maths for gameplay and physics calculations.
Time commitment: Approximately 5 months
Certificate: Yes
This specialization (five courses and a capstone project) focuses on both the theoretical and practical foundations of video game production while using the Unity 3D game engine. Its instructors have a reported 50+ years of experience building games and teaching game production.
Lessons cover everything from prototypes to iterations to licensing and marketing. It’s a good fit for those looking to build a foundation that can be applied to roles like gameplay designer, level designer, technical designer/artist, programmer, or producer.
Students build four complete Unity3D game projects by applying the skills and knowledge they’ve gained throughout the course. In a final capstone project, they build an original market-ready game.
The online game portal Kongregate is the capstone partner, which provides an avenue for distribution of the project and a pathway for monetization.
Time commitment: 10 hours
Certificate: Yes
This introductory course requires no prior programming experience and focuses on the conceptual basics of games. Students learn about the primary underpinnings of gaming and how those basics affect the way that users interact with games.
Time commitment: 11 hours
Certificate: Yes
This course focuses on the story and narrative that drives gameplay forward, so students learn how to create a compelling game concept.
Students evaluate and interpret historical and contemporary games to identify different story styles and the themes and procedures that they can use in their own games. Students also explore traditional narrative storytelling processes and how they complement a game’s strategic elements.
Time commitment: 20 hours
Certificate: Yes
This course teaches you how to compose original video game music through the lens of music theory, composition, production, and general game music knowledge.
Time commitment: 65.5 hours of instructional video
Certificate: Yes
Students learn how to use Blender to create 3D models, including combining CGI with real-life footage, using Blender’s physics engine, and exporting their models to external packages.
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