Design Courses and Certifications

GDC

Integrating Narrative into Game Design - A Portal Post-Mortem

Valve developers explore Portal's innovative approach to blending storytelling with gameplay mechanics, offering insights into narrative integration in game design.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 19 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

GDC

Writing and Narrative Design - A Relationship

Explore the interplay between writing and design in video game storytelling, uncovering techniques for creating compelling narratives that enhance gameplay experiences.

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

GDC

Crashlands - Design by Chaos

Explore Butterscotch Shenanigans' bottom-up design approach and its impact on project management, as demonstrated in the development of Crashlands.

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

GDC

Level Design Workshop - Level Flow for a Video Game Mixtape

Explore the creation of FRKN WKND, an autobiographical video game mixtape, and learn about level design techniques for crafting engaging vignette games.

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

GDC

Interviewing for Game Design

Gain insights into the game design interview process from both perspectives, helping developers at all levels improve their job search strategies.

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

GDC

The Design of Subnautica

Explore the design principles behind Subnautica's immersive underwater world, focusing on how it evokes feelings of exploration, discovery, and the unknown.

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

GDC

Game Design Tools - For When Spreadsheets and Flowcharts Aren't Enough

Explore advanced game design tools beyond spreadsheets and flowcharts to enhance your creative process and improve game development efficiency.

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

GDC

Slay the Spire - Metrics Driven Design and Balance

Explore metrics-driven design and balancing techniques used in Slay the Spire's development, enhancing game design skills and understanding of data-driven decision making.

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

GDC

Classic Game Design Postmortem - Swinging with Spider-Man

Dive into the mechanics behind Spider-Man 2's iconic web-swinging, as the technical director compares it to other games and explores its lasting impact on game design.

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

GDC

The Freedom Fallacy - Understanding Player Autonomy in Game Design

Explore the nuances of player autonomy in game design, learning to satisfy players while avoiding common pitfalls that can lead to poor design choices.

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

GDC

West of Loathing Design Postmortem

Zack Johnson breaks down tools and technology used in West of Loathing, showcasing how Asymmetric Publications enabled quick and flexible creative work in game development.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 5 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

GDC

Board Game Design Day - Balancing Mechanics for Your Card Game's Unique Power Curve

Explore power curves in popular CCGs like Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone. Learn to balance mechanics and create unique gameplay experiences for your own card game designs.

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

GDC

Game Design Case Studies - One Designer - One Game - One System

Game designers dissect one system from their games, offering insights into their design processes and highlighting unique approaches to game development.

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

GDC

Teaching AI-Based Game Design

Explore AI-based game design as an educational approach, with best practices and student examples showcasing innovative design and technical skills in this insightful talk.

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

TED

Teaching Design for Change

Inspiring talk on using design education to transform a rural community, empowering high school students through hands-on projects that address local needs and create opportunities.

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