GDC Courses

The Burden of Proof - Narrative Deduction Mechanics for Detective Games

Explore innovative narrative deduction mechanics for detective games, focusing on inkle's Overboard! Learn how to balance specific feedback with player creativity in storytelling.

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

Simulating Tropical Weather in Far Cry 6

Explore techniques for simulating dynamic tropical weather in video games, focusing on Far Cry 6's implementation, challenges, and systems for creating realistic weather transitions.

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

Unpacking - The Fun Behind the Foley

Explore the intricate world of foley audio production for the game 'Unpacking', delving into the unexpected challenges and creative solutions encountered in creating 14,000 unique sound files.

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

Ambisonics and the Great Outdoors

Explore the future of spatial audio with ambisonics, their importance in game audio, and how they enhance player experience in this insightful session by Blair Devereaux.

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

From Clash of Clans to Everdale - Scaling from Solo to Social

Explore Supercell's journey in scaling game technology from solo to social play, focusing on Everdale's development challenges and innovative solutions for multiplayer experiences.

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

Procedural Grass in Ghost of Tsushima

Explore techniques for generating, rendering, and animating vast fields of realistic grass within performance limits, as demonstrated in 'Ghost of Tsushima' by graphics programmer Eric Wohllaib.

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

Great Level Design is a Studio-Wide Effort

Explore how all studio teams contribute to exceptional level design, and learn effective communication strategies for level designers to optimize collaboration and achieve outstanding results.

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

Genesis Noir - Bringing Jazz Improvisation to Gaming

Explore how jazz improvisation techniques inspire engaging gameplay, using dynamic audio and MIDI for interactive jam sessions in game development.

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

Stop Getting Lost - Make Cognitive Maps, Not Levels

Explore cognitive science and urbanism to design game spaces that prevent player disorientation. Learn techniques for creating intuitive, memorable environments that enhance navigation and player experience.

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

Space Station 13 - Behind One of the Largest Open Source Games

Explore the unique challenges and design processes of open source game development through the lens of 'Space Station 13', one of the largest community-driven projects in gaming.

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

Games Subscriptions - Is the "Netflix of Games" Inevitable and What Does It Mean for Developers?

Explore the impact of game subscription services on the industry, comparing models like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Now, and analyzing their implications for developers and the future of gaming.

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

Knocking on Death's Door - Designing a New Bunker for 'Horizon Forbidden West'

Explore the creation and iteration process of the "Death's Door" quest in Horizon Forbidden West, delving into level design techniques and challenges faced during development.

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

Solo Development - Myths, Reality and Survival Strategies

Explore the realities of solo game development through successful developers' experiences, debunking myths and uncovering essential strategies for thriving in this challenging path.

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

One Frame in Halo Infinite

Explore efficient cross-platform execution solutions for game development, focusing on Halo Infinite's innovative approaches to optimize performance and enhance gameplay across multiple platforms.

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

The Subtle Art of Not Making VFX

Discover key non-technical skills for successful visual effects artistry: communication, collaboration, and embracing failure. Learn to thrive beyond technical expertise in VFX.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 3 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk