Instructional Design Courses

GDC

Beyond Game Design

Explore how game designers can tackle broader challenges in the industry, expanding their skills and impact beyond traditional design roles.

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

GDC

The Level Design of God of War

Explore Sony Santa Monica's innovative approach to level design in God of War, featuring six new rules and best practices for transforming concepts into immersive gaming experiences.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 6 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

GDC

Lessons for Narrative Design from Modern Tabletop RPGs

Explore innovative narrative design techniques from indie tabletop RPGs, offering fresh perspectives for storytellers across various media to enhance player engagement and creative storytelling.

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

GDC

Plunge into Storytelling - Transitioning into Narrative Design from Other Disciplines

Concrete tips for tailoring applications, portfolios, and interviews for narrative design roles, helping professionals transition from other disciplines into game storytelling.

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

GDC

Building New York in Marvel's Spider-Man - It's Still Just Level Design

Explore level design principles used to create New York City in Marvel's Spider-Man, and learn how these techniques can be applied to game environments of any scale.

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

GDC

World Design for Different Player Types

Practical strategies for crafting immersive game worlds tailored to diverse player preferences, enhancing engagement and enjoyment across various gaming styles.

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

GDC

Interactive Story Without Challenge Mechanics - The Design of Firewatch

Explore the narrative design of Firewatch, examining Campo Santo's successes and shortcomings in creating an engaging interactive story without traditional gameplay challenges.

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

GDC

Hitman Levels as Social Spaces - The Social Anthropology of Level Design

Explore IO Interactive's evolution in level design, focusing on social spaces and anthropological approaches in Hitman and Hitman 2 game development.

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

GDC

An Introduction to Situational Game Design

Explore fundamentals of situational design for game development, focusing on classroom applications. Learn key concepts and practical techniques to enhance your game design skills.

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

GDC

Next Level Creature Sound Design

Detailed approach to creating immersive creature sound effects for popular game franchises, exploring techniques used in Elder Scrolls Online, Alien Isolation, and Total War: Warhammer.

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

GDC

What's Next in Game Design - Will Wright's 2006 Keynote

Legendary designer Will Wright explores the future of game design, inspiring developers to push boundaries and captivate players' imaginations in this visionary keynote address.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 10 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

GDC

Bridging the Gap Between UX Principles and Game Design

Explore the intersection of game design and UX principles to enhance gameplay experiences, with insights on collaborative approaches for improved player engagement and satisfaction.

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

GDC

Emotion in Game Design - A UX Perspective

Explore the scientific approach to emotion in game design and learn how to engage players through a UX mindset, enhancing player delight and overall gaming experience.

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

GDC

Mining Your Own Design - Crafting the Crafting System in Astroneer

Explore how System Era Softworks enhanced Astroneer's crafting system by analyzing existing design, making extensive changes without destabilizing gameplay, and deepening player engagement.

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

GDC

The Holy Grail of Multiplayer Level Design - Casual and Competitive Maps

Explore design processes for creating balanced multiplayer levels in team-based FPS games, focusing on both casual and competitive play in Paladins.

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