GDC Courses

Plunge into Storytelling - Transitioning into Narrative Design from Other Disciplines

Concrete tips for tailoring applications, portfolios, and interviews for narrative design roles, helping professionals transition from other disciplines into game storytelling.

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

Content Fueled Gameplay Programming in Frostpunk

Explore data-driven gameplay architecture and its impact on Frostpunk's development. Learn how 11 bit studios' in-house technology shaped the game's code and enhanced gameplay mechanics.

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

Marvel's Spider-Man AI Postmortem

Explore AI challenges and solutions in Marvel's Spider-Man development. Gain insights into Insomniac's innovative techniques for creating immersive gameplay and realistic character behaviors.

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

Rewarding Exploration with Collectibles and Gatherables

Explore principles for effective placement of interactable and collectible objects in game environments, enhancing player engagement and rewarding exploration.

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

God of War - Breathing New Life into a Hardened Spartan

Explore the animation transformation of Kratos in God of War (2018). Learn about Sony Santa Monica's innovative approach to character animation and storytelling in this action-packed franchise.

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

It Just Works - Ray-Traced Reflections in Battlefield V

Explore DICE's implementation of ray-traced reflections in Battlefield V, delving into technical details and innovative solutions for realistic in-game visuals.

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

Technical Tools for Authoring Branching Dialogue

Explore techniques for creating effective conversation editors and robust dialogue systems in game development, enhancing narrative design and player immersion.

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

Loot Boxes - Legal Pitfalls and Loopholes

Explore legal challenges and strategies surrounding loot boxes in gaming across the U.S., EU, and China. Learn potential pitfalls and avoidance tactics in this concise overview for game developers.

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

The Art of FAITH - Horror at 192x160 Pixels

Explore the artistic decisions behind FAITH's unique 192x160 pixel horror aesthetic. Learn how limitations can foster creativity and enhance atmospheric storytelling in game design.

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

Building New York in Marvel's Spider-Man - It's Still Just Level Design

Explore level design principles used to create New York City in Marvel's Spider-Man, and learn how these techniques can be applied to game environments of any scale.

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

Procedural Generation of Cinematic Dialogues in Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Explore Ubisoft's innovative approach to generating cinematic scenes in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, covering staging, acting, editing, framing, and lighting techniques for immersive gameplay.

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

AMA - Sucker Punch Productions Co-founder Brian Fleming Talks Ghost of Tsushima

Sucker Punch co-founder Brian Fleming discusses the development process of Ghost of Tsushima, offering insights into game design, production challenges, and creative decisions behind the acclaimed action-adventure title.

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

World Design for Different Player Types

Practical strategies for crafting immersive game worlds tailored to diverse player preferences, enhancing engagement and enjoyment across various gaming styles.

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

Interactive Story Without Challenge Mechanics - The Design of Firewatch

Explore the narrative design of Firewatch, examining Campo Santo's successes and shortcomings in creating an engaging interactive story without traditional gameplay challenges.

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

Hitman Levels as Social Spaces - The Social Anthropology of Level Design

Explore IO Interactive's evolution in level design, focusing on social spaces and anthropological approaches in Hitman and Hitman 2 game development.

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