GDC Courses

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

Games that Care - Lessons from Teaching Grief-Based Game Design

Explore methods, risks, and outcomes of grief-based game design, emphasizing care as an essential skill for contemporary game designers and educators in this insightful session.

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

Why My Students Design Escape Rooms

Discover how designing escape rooms enhances game design skills like brainstorming, prototyping, and iteration. Learn innovative teaching methods for developing creative problem-solving abilities in students.

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

What Can Game Designers Learn from Competitive Reality Shows

Explore how competitive reality shows offer insights for game design, including strategic gameplay, emergent narratives, and complex player experiences.

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

Playtesting - God of War

Explore how playtesting shaped the development of God of War (2018) through insights from industry experts on user feedback, iterative design, and gameplay refinement.

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

Press Y to Cry - Generating Emotions in Videogame Narrative

Explore innovative narrative models for deepening player emotions in gameplay, moving beyond traditional 'Press Y to cry' mechanics to create more immersive and impactful storytelling experiences.

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

Beyond the Remake of Shadow of the Colossus - A Technical Perspective

Explore the technical intricacies of remastering classic games, from 'God of War Collection' to 'Shadow of the Colossus', with Bluepoint Games' Peter Dalton. Gain insights into the challenges and processes of modernizing beloved titles.

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

The Impossible Quest - Getting a Job in Games

Microtalks analyzing game industry hiring obstacles, company perspectives, and developer success stories. Insights for aspiring game professionals to navigate the challenging job market.

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

Genshin Impact - Crafting an Anime-Style Open World

Explore the creative process behind Genshin Impact's anime-style open world, including character design, stage development, and production pipeline insights from miHoYo's CEO.

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