GDC Courses

Animation Bootcamp - Script to Screen - The Development Diary of Marvel's Spider-Man

Explore Insomniac Games' cinematic process for Marvel's Spider-Man, from script to screen, in this detailed walkthrough by Brian Wyser at GDC 2019.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

A House Built on Sand - Engineering Stable and Reliable AI

Discover techniques for creating robust AI systems that remain stable despite changing requirements, focusing on engineering practices for game development.

• YouTube
• 30 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Balancing Nightmares - An AI Approach to Balance Games with Overwhelming Amounts of Data

Explore AI-driven game balancing techniques used by Square Enix for Grimms Notes Repage, addressing challenges in managing vast amounts of data to improve gameplay and player experience.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 1 minute
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Creating a Deeper Emotional Connection - The Cinematography of God of War

Explore cinematic techniques used in God of War to create deeper emotional connections, including the innovative no-cut camera design and lessons learned during development.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Wakes, Explosions and Lighting - Interactive Water Simulation in Atlas

Explore advanced water simulation techniques for game development, focusing on wakes, explosions, and lighting effects in interactive environments.

• YouTube
• 49 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Nature vs. Nurture - Unpacking Player Spending in F2P Games

Explore factors driving player spending in free-to-play games, analyzing both inherent and cultivated behaviors to optimize monetization strategies and enhance player engagement.

• YouTube
• 59 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

The Level Design of God of War

Explore Sony Santa Monica's innovative approach to level design in God of War, featuring six new rules and best practices for transforming concepts into immersive gaming experiences.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 6 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Player Interactions Visualized

Explore visual techniques to enhance player engagement through environment and effects, focusing on rewarding interactions in game design.

• YouTube
• 46 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

What They Don't Teach You in Art School - Lessons for First Time Leads

Insights from a first-time lead on God of War: challenges faced and lessons learned in art direction, offering valuable guidance for aspiring game art leaders.

• YouTube
• 49 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Marvel's Spider-Man - Procedural Lighting Tools

Explore procedural systems for environment probe and light grid placement in open-world game development, as demonstrated in Marvel's Spider-Man's Manhattan setting.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Wind Simulation in God of War

Explore the 3D GPU fluid simulation powering God of War's wind effects. Learn about its implementation and benefits for game development.

• YouTube
• 30 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Lessons for Narrative Design from Modern Tabletop RPGs

Explore innovative narrative design techniques from indie tabletop RPGs, offering fresh perspectives for storytellers across various media to enhance player engagement and creative storytelling.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

When Trainers' Eyes Meet - Creating Real Time Combat for Pokemon GO

Explore the development of Pokemon GO's competitive PvP feature, focusing on real-time combat mechanics and design challenges faced by Niantic's team.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Turing Tantrums - AI Devs Rant - 2019 Edition

Game developers share passionate insights on AI in gaming, covering challenges, innovations, and future directions in this rapid-fire session of expert opinions and critiques.

• YouTube
• 58 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Vehicle Physics and Tire Dynamics in Just Cause 4

Explore the intricate design of tire dynamics and vehicle physics in Just Cause 4, showcasing how Avalanche Studios balances diverse vehicles and player styles for an immersive gameplay experience.

• YouTube
• 28 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk