GDC Courses

The Calm in the Storm - An Introvert's Guide to Success

Discover strategies for introverted game developers to thrive, leveraging their unique strengths and creating inclusive studio environments that foster success for all personality types.

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

A Recipe for Mixed Reality in Mario Kart Live

Explore the fusion of physical and digital worlds in Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. Learn about mixed reality techniques, SLAM, and innovative game design for an immersive racing experience.

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

Keyframes and Cardboard Props - The Cinematic Process Behind 'God of War'

Explore unconventional cinematic techniques used in God of War, from previs staging to final polish, with lead narrative animator Erica Pinto's insights on creating immersive game sequences.

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

Red Pill Blue Pill - Narrative AI for Deep Emotions

Explore AI's potential in narrative design beyond traditional methods, unpacking stage mechanics from popular media to create deeper emotional experiences and conflicts.

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

Disintegrating Meshes with Particles in God of War

Explore Sony Santa Monica Studio's innovative particle emission technique for mesh disintegration in God of War, its versatile applications, and future potential in game development.

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

Swiping on the Six Strings - Crafting an Interactive Guitar in The Last of Us - Part II

Explore the design process behind the interactive guitar mechanic in The Last of Us: Part II, from initial concept to final implementation, including challenges and lessons learned.

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

How the Industry Can Change the -Games Are Bad- Narrative

Explore strategies to challenge the negative perception of video games, focusing on data sharing, research improvements, and effective communication of gaming's positive aspects.

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

Tackling Audience Experiences in Games

Explore UI and game mechanics design for live and streamed gaming experiences, focusing on spectator engagement, community building, and strategies for viewer retention.

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

Designing Radically Non-Linear Single Player Levels

Explore non-linear design techniques for single-player sandbox levels, their unique value and challenges, and how to adapt them to linear levels. Learn from industry expert Aubrey Serr's insights.

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

Cementing Your Duct Tape - Turning Hacks into Tools

Explore techniques for transforming temporary hacks into robust tools, with practical examples from Total War games. Learn to create scalable solutions and improve development workflows.

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

Environmental Narrative - Telling Stories in Spaces Without Saying Anything Aloud

Explore immersive game design techniques for creating engaging environments and narratives without dialogue, focusing on physical storytelling, worldbuilding, and player experience.

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

The Schema is Still Mightier than the Sword - How Cognition Predicts Player Spatial Coding Systems

Explore how players navigate game environments through spatial mapping schemas, mental rotation, and feature detection, impacting game design and player experience.

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

Critiquing Game Visuals - Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Learn to analyze and improve game visuals with tools for addressing common issues like saturation, clarity, lighting, and contrast. Gain practical skills for enhancing your game's visual appeal and effectiveness.

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

End-to-End Procedural Generation in Caves of Qud

Explore procedural generation techniques for creating immersive village environments with unique histories, cultures, and quests in roguelike games.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 4 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Super Humans of New York - Managing the Many Faces in Marvel's Spider-Man

Discover Insomniac Games' efficient pipeline for managing 150 facial rigs in Marvel's Spider-Man. Learn about character tiers, feedback processes, and innovative solutions for open-world head integration.

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