Welcome! This course is an introduction to the primary concepts of gaming, and an exploration of how these basic concepts affect the way gamers interact with our games. In this course you will understand what defines a “game” and the mechanics and rules behind different types of games. Through four linked assignments you'll learn ways to create and describe a game concept, and specifically what makes a compelling game. This course focuses on the conceptual underpinnings of games, and all assignments can be completed with a pencil and paper – no previous programming knowledge is required.
Get started with custom lists to organize and share courses.
Sign upClass Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Never miss a course! Add as "Interested" to get notified of this course's next session
- Provider Coursera
- Cost Free Online Course (Audit)
- Session In progress
- Language English
- Certificate Paid Certificate Available
- Start Date
- Duration 4 weeks long
- Learn more about MOOCs
Taken this course? Share your experience with other students. Write review
Become a Data Scientist datacamp.com
Learn Python & R at your own pace. Start now for free!
AD
Class Central Custom Lists
Build and share your own catalog of courses with Class Central's custom lists.
Overview
Class Central Tips
Syllabus
Week 1: The Simplest Games
-This week we start at the beginning: what are the principles of very simple games, like Hangman and tic-tac-toe? How do these games work? Why do people play them? What are the elements that define games and the gaming experience? And finally, what do games have in common with each other, and what sets them apart? In addition to covering the basics and ground rules for this course, we'll conclude this week with a very simple, low-tech assignment: create a game on a single sheet of paper.
Week 2: Rules and Discovery
-How does a player learn the mechanics of your game? How do they learn anything about your game? This week we will talk about the rules that define gameplay, and how those rules are communicated to your players. We also discuss the way rules are bent and broken by players.
Week 3: Tell a Story
-How does narrative drive a player to start playing your game? Or to finish it? This week we'll look at some of the ways you can make your game more compelling with story, and discuss some of the ways story can drive gameplay forward, or enable a player to make their own way through it.
Week 4: The Friend and the Enemy
-What purpose does an enemy serve in a game? What effect does a second player have on two-player games? Can a game work without an adversary or a final goal? We'll address all of those questions in this last week of the class, and work towards finalizing your board game project with characters.
-This week we start at the beginning: what are the principles of very simple games, like Hangman and tic-tac-toe? How do these games work? Why do people play them? What are the elements that define games and the gaming experience? And finally, what do games have in common with each other, and what sets them apart? In addition to covering the basics and ground rules for this course, we'll conclude this week with a very simple, low-tech assignment: create a game on a single sheet of paper.
Week 2: Rules and Discovery
-How does a player learn the mechanics of your game? How do they learn anything about your game? This week we will talk about the rules that define gameplay, and how those rules are communicated to your players. We also discuss the way rules are bent and broken by players.
Week 3: Tell a Story
-How does narrative drive a player to start playing your game? Or to finish it? This week we'll look at some of the ways you can make your game more compelling with story, and discuss some of the ways story can drive gameplay forward, or enable a player to make their own way through it.
Week 4: The Friend and the Enemy
-What purpose does an enemy serve in a game? What effect does a second player have on two-player games? Can a game work without an adversary or a final goal? We'll address all of those questions in this last week of the class, and work towards finalizing your board game project with characters.
Taught by
Fran Krause
Tags
Help Center
Reviews
for Coursera's Introduction to Game Design
Based on
12 reviews
- 5 stars 50%
- 4 stars 42%
- 3 star 8%
- 2 star 0%
- 1 star 0%
Did you take this course? Share your experience with other students.
Write a review- 1
Rates R
3 years ago
completed this course, spending 4 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.
Great introduction to game design. I really enjoyed Fran's style - at the time I thought some of the content was a bit sparse, but on reflection I think "precise" is a better evaluation. I still refer back to my notes from this class - he really does a good job at highlighting fundamental concepts.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
4 years ago
completed this course.
Very accessible and entertaining course that focuses on what makes a good game. It challenges you to keep reviewing your initial ideas and use peer feedback to improve the design.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Ali T
Bart F
Kirill K
Preston H
Robert T
Ina S
Fábio M
Kay K
Anastasia B
Roman G
- 1
Class Central
Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.
Never Stop Learning!
Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.
