GDC Courses

Looking Back and Moving Forward with Pillars of Eternity

Explore the development of Pillars of Eternity, examining how Obsidian updated classic PC RPGs while honoring their legacy. Gain insights into art, mechanics, narrative, and post-launch support.

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

Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition - Postmortem of an App-Integrated Board Game

Explore the development insights, challenges, and lessons learned in creating an app-integrated board game, focusing on Mansions of Madness: Second Edition's successes and failures.

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

Successful Freelancing in Game Audio

Explore the ins and outs of freelancing in game audio, from finding quality work to confidently setting rates. Learn essential strategies for success in this competitive field.

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

Iterating Design and Fighting Fires - Updating Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride

Explore Halfbrick Studios' evolving process for updating popular iOS games, focusing on iterative design, user engagement, and balancing hardcore and casual elements.

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

Rick and Morty - Virtual Rick-ality Postmortem - VR Lessons Learned

Explore VR game development insights from Owlchemy Labs' creators of Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality. Learn about room-scale design, portals, character interactions, and overcoming UI challenges in this postmortem analysis.

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

The Shapes in Your Story - Narrative Mapping Frameworks

Explore narrative mapping frameworks for game storytelling, enhancing creative and analytical tools. Learn to craft engaging, choice-driven narratives with effective story structures and mapping techniques.

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

Design in Detail

Explore detail-oriented game design principles applicable across genres and generations, focusing on significance, power, subtlety, portability, and manageability of details in game development.

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

Breaking Through - Psychosis and the Making of Hellblade

Explore Ninja Theory's innovative approach to depicting psychosis in game development, focusing on research, collaboration, and pushing narrative boundaries in AAA-quality production.

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

How to Find and Engage a Great Artist - A Non-Artist Primer

Discover strategies for finding and collaborating with talented artists to enhance your indie game's visual appeal. Learn about compensation, search methods, and key considerations.

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

How to Build a Remote Team for Better Happiness

Discover strategies for building a successful remote team, enhancing work-life balance, and leveraging technology to foster a positive company culture across borders.

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

Ahead of the Curve - The SpaceChem Postmortem

Explore SpaceChem's unique design-based puzzle mechanics, community features, and development insights. Learn to create engaging puzzles and build player communities around them.

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

There's Goofs in Them Thar Hills - The West of Loathing Approach to Comedy in Games

Explore comedy in video games with West of Loathing's creative director, covering techniques, advantages, and challenges in crafting humor for interactive experiences.

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

Procedurally Generating History in Caves of Qud

Explore procedural history generation in game design, focusing on Caves of Qud's innovative approach to creating dynamic, rationalized historical events without full simulation.

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

Democratizing Real-Time Filmmaking Technologies for Indie Game Developers

Explore democratizing real-time VFX and virtual production tools for indie game developers, covering curriculum updates, cost reduction, and quality preservation.

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

Networking Etiquette for the Modern Games Industry Professional

Learn essential networking skills for game industry professionals, including conversation tips, types of networking, and strategies for making meaningful connections.

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