Game Design Essentials: Tools, Theories and Techniques
- Description
- Curriculum
- FAQ
- Reviews
This course offers a comprehensive framework to understand and practice game design.
At the end of this course, you will have the tools and thinking process to understand why some games are fun and keep players playing for a long time, while others fail.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN…
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Understand the role of the game designer and other roles in game development
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How to keep improving as a game designer and what skills you need
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What are game parts, mechanics and dynamics and understand the language of games
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Harness the power of Design Thinking to better Empathize, Ideate and Prototype your games.
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Use Psychology to understand your players and how they perceive your game
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What is a GDD
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What is a game pitch
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How to communicate your game idea to your team
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How math and probability work in board and video games
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Create game models using Google Spreadsheets to test your game early
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Use random, procedural generation and systems thinking to create systemic gameplay to design games that are interesting to play and watch.
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Analyze real and game systems to create meaningful games by relating players to their surroundings and experiences
HOW WILL YOU PRACTICE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
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You will create a card game from a humble beginning all the way to a unique and engaging game.
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Each activity is designed to practice what you have just learned.
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The card game will be uniquely modified by you, so you can keep working on it even after the course ends.
What is NOT included in this course…
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Programming languages
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Art asset creation
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5
Identifying the Elements of Asteroids -
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1.1. Asteroid Elements -
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What is a Game and What is Design
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The Role of the Game Designer
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Other Roles in Game Development
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Game Design Specialisations
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1.2. What is the role for you?
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Games' Unique Feature
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Game Mechanics
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MDA and other Game Design Frameworks
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1.3.1. & 1.3.2. List and Add Mechanics to Tiny Pixel Fights!
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How to keep Improving as a Game Designer?
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What Skills do you need to be a Game Designer?
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Game Design Basics - References
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Game Design Basics - Graphics & Slides
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Quiz - Game Design Basics -
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Congratulations on Completing Section 2!
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The Game Design Thinking Process
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Game Concept: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
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Game Concept: The Beginner's Mindset
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Game Pillars: Game Pillar Document
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Ideate: Ideation Techniques
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2.1. Using the SCAMPER technique on your favourite game
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Define: The Three Brains (YouTube)
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Define: The 5 Phases of Players’ Decision-Making
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Define: Automatic vs. Rational Decision-making
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Define: Interactive Loops for Decision-making
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Define: Bad Decision-Making
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Define: Interesting Decisions
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Define: Self-Determination Theory
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2.2. Brainstorming new mechanics
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Prototyping and Playtesting: Three Hats For Analysing Games
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Prototyping and Playtesting: Csikszentmihalyi's Flow Theory
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2.3. Playtest your new mechanics!
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The Game Design Thinking Process — Graphics & Slides
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The Game Design Thinking Process — References
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Quiz — The Game Design Thinking Process
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Congratulations on Finishing Section 3
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Can you leave us a review?
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What is a GDD?
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Creating Compelling Documents
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What content should a GDD have
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GDD Content Checklist
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Concept GDD: Part 1
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Concept GDD: Part 2
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3.1. Write a Concept GDD
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Use presentations as a lethal weapon!
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Pitching Your Game
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Talk — 30 things I hate about your game pitch
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3.2. Create a 3-minute presentation!
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Communicating your Game
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Communicating Your Game - References
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Quiz — Communicating Your Game
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Congratulations!
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Math & Probability in Games
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Dependent and Independent Probability
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Communicating Probabilities
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Spreadsheets Basics
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Using Spreadsheets for Modelling
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4.1., 4.2. Balancing Tiny Pixel Fights
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Handmade, Random and Procedural Elements
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Playtesting Your Balance!
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Math & Probability - References
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Quiz — Math & Probability
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Math & Probability - Slides
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Introduction to Systems Thinking
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Systemic Game Design
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Deep vs. Wide Systems
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Systems Elements
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System Design Diagram Starter Pack
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Feedback Loops
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Dealing with Complex Systems
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5.1.1. & 5.1.2. Find and Create some Feedback loops
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5.2. What other systems can you add?
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Introduction to Game Systems Design - References
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Introduction to Game Systems Design - Slides
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Quiz — Introduction to Game Systems Design
