GDC Courses

Can You Make a Good Game Without Good Play Mechanics?

Explore game design beyond mechanics with Square Enix's Prasertvithyakarn, using Final Fantasy XV as a case study to illustrate the importance of a broader vision in creating engaging experiences.

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

PR Success - How to Get Your Game Across in 5 Seconds

Learn effective game marketing through animated GIFs. Discover tips for creating eye-catching, platform-specific content to showcase your game in just 5 seconds.

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

Low Cost Facial Scanning Using Photogrammetry in State of Decay 2

Learn cost-effective facial scanning techniques using photogrammetry for game development, with insights from Undead Labs' implementation in State of Decay 2 over two years and 200+ scans.

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

Taking an Axe to God of War Gameplay

Explore God of War's gameplay design evolution, from camera changes to combat mechanics. Gain insights into character development, enemy interactions, and innovative features that shaped this iconic action-adventure game.

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

Illustrating Tamriel - Creating Key Art for The Elder Scrolls Online

Explore compositional strategies and character-centric techniques for crafting compelling narrative key art in The Elder Scrolls Online with ZeniMax Online Studios' Lucas Slominski.

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

Ask Me Anything - Q&A with Yacht Club Games

Insights into game development from Yacht Club Games' David D'Angelo, covering design, programming, and industry experiences in Cyber Shadow and Shovel Knight.

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

Fandom-Ready - Creating Fiction in the Age of Fan Consumption

Explore fan-driven fiction creation with insights from Monster Prom's developer. Learn strategies for engaging fandoms, crafting immersive narratives, and balancing fantasy with realism in game storytelling.

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

What I Learned About Tools Development From Games Industry Legends

Insights from game industry veterans on developing effective tools, focusing on user needs, learning from existing solutions, and understanding workflow integration.

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

AMA - Brian Horton on Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man - Miles Morales

Insomniac Games' creative director discusses Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales development, covering character differences, diversity, technical aspects, and balancing gameplay with cinematic experiences.

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

Making Marketing Mistakes

Victoria Tran shares insights on embracing and learning from marketing mistakes in game development, offering strategies for accountability and growth in the face of inevitable failures.

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

Three Steps to Becoming a Better Artist Immediately

Discover three actionable steps to instantly enhance your artistic skills, focusing on visual design, expression, and effective communication in game development.

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

Building Headquarters - The Social Hub in Call of Duty WWII

Explore the creation of Headquarters, a 48-player social hub in Call of Duty WWII, featuring interactive storefronts, minigames, and community engagement opportunities.

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

Narrative Nuances on Free-to-Play Mobile Games

Explore techniques for crafting compelling narratives in free-to-play mobile games, focusing on audience engagement, pay-offs, and unique storytelling approaches for the platform.

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

Whose Game Is It, Anyway? How Community Relationships Shape Games - Lessons from Warframe

Explore how Warframe's success stems from strategic community engagement, balancing feedback, and evolving game-as-a-service strategies in this insightful Digital Extremes presentation.

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

How the Speed Cubing Community Turned Rubik's Cube into a Competitive Genre

Explore the transformation of Rubik's Cube into a competitive sport, examining organization, innovation, and community-building strategies in speed cubing.

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