GDC Courses

Crash Course in Online Features for Programmers

Explore essential online features for game programmers, from platform-provided tools to custom solutions, covering connectivity, data management, community building, and server infrastructure.

• YouTube
• 54 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Cold, Hard Cache - Insomniac's Cache Simulator

Explore Insomniac Games' Cache Simulator tool for optimizing CPU code performance and gaining insights into cache utilization in game development.

• YouTube
• 32 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How to Reduce In-Game Inflation by Monitoring Your Economic Systems

Learn strategies to monitor and control in-game inflation in MMORPGs, focusing on economic systems, currency issuance, item production, and player population dynamics.

• YouTube
• 22 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Character Control with Neural Networks and Machine Learning

Explore data-driven animation systems using neural networks and machine learning to simplify character control in game development, reducing complexity and resource requirements.

• YouTube
• 54 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The Lighting Technology of Detroit - Become Human

Explore Quantic Dream's transition to photometric lighting in Detroit: Become Human, covering PBR, material calibration, volumetric lighting, and irradiance techniques for enhanced realism.

• YouTube
• 53 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Designing for Multiple Minds - Crafting the Craft of Player Dynamics

Explore player dynamics design, focusing on enhancing interactions and motivations in games. Learn strategies for cohesion, cognitive biases, and creating positive player experiences.

• YouTube
• 43 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Designing Social Play for Sky - Children of the Light

Explore social design strategies in game development, focusing on player interactions, cooperative gameplay, and fostering natural relationships within virtual environments.

• YouTube
• 20 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Destructible Environments in Control - Lessons in Procedural Destruction

Explore the technology and lessons behind creating Control's destructible environments, focusing on procedural destruction, material-driven behavior, and optimization techniques.

• YouTube
• 30 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Procedural Regeneration - Matching the World to the Player

Explore dynamic world alteration in games to match player styles. Learn about procedural regeneration, its benefits, and implementation strategies for enhanced gameplay experiences.

• YouTube
• 28 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Fantastic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Candid insights into building a game studio on a budget, exploring successes and failures over 5 years. Learn from Hutch's experiences to avoid common pitfalls in game development.

• YouTube
• 28 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Knowledge is Power - An Overview of Knowledge Representation in Game AI

Explore best practices for creating impactful AI decision-making in video games, focusing on knowledge representation techniques to enhance player experience.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Data-Driven or Data-Blinded? Uses and Abuses of Analytics in Games

Explore common pitfalls in game data analysis and learn practical techniques to improve test rigor and data quality for more effective game development decision-making.

• YouTube
• 1 hour
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

High Resolution Pixel Art and Animation

Explore high-resolution pixel art creation and animation techniques for game development, focusing on fluid motion, design principles, and practical tips from an industry expert.

• YouTube
• 29 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The Secrets to Creating an Indie Game Franchise

Explore strategies for creating compelling narrative game franchises, including world-building beyond the game and techniques to captivate players across multiple installments.

• YouTube
• 29 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

It's About Time - System Design for Mobile Free-to-Play

Explore practical system design for mobile free-to-play games, focusing on time as a universal resource and its impact on player progression, economy, and game balance.

• YouTube
• 26 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk