Game design courses can help you learn level design, character development, storytelling techniques, and game mechanics. You can build skills in prototyping, user testing, and balancing gameplay to enhance player experience. Many courses introduce tools like Unity and Unreal Engine, that support creating interactive environments and implementing game logic. Additionally, you might explore programming languages such as C or C++ to bring your ideas to life, along with graphic design software for creating compelling visuals.

Stanford University
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Mathematical Modeling, Graph Theory, Bayesian Statistics, Behavioral Economics, Probability, Economics, Problem Solving, Algorithms, Probability Distribution
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Debugging, Game Design, Animation and Game Design, Program Development, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Application Development, Problem Solving, Design, Computer Science
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

University of Colorado System
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Unity Engine, Object Oriented Design, Software Design Patterns, Video Game Development, C# (Programming Language), Computer Programming, File I/O, Software Architecture, Game Design, Event-Driven Programming, Prototyping, Data Structures, Graph Theory, UI Components, Data Storage, Algorithms, Software Design, Programming Principles, Application Development
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

IIMA - IIM Ahmedabad
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking, Game Theory, Behavioral Economics, Business Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Complex Problem Solving, Problem Solving, Strategic Leadership, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Market Dynamics, Organizational Change, Business Analysis, Economics, Digital Media Strategy, Market Opportunities, Negotiation, Risk Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Innovation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Debugging, Programming Principles, Algorithms, Video Game Development, Computer Programming Tools, Game Design, Computer Programming, Program Development, Animation and Game Design, Interactive Design, Integrated Development Environments, Computer Science
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

University of Colorado System
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), File I/O, C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Design, Debugging, Computer Programming, Event-Driven Programming, Video Game Development, Unity Engine, Data Structures, C# (Programming Language), Data Storage, 3D Assets, Development Environment, Game Design, Software Documentation, Software Design Patterns, User Interface (UI), Programming Principles
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Alberta
Skills you'll gain: Model View Controller, Software Design Patterns, Software Design, Unified Modeling Language, Object Oriented Design, Code Review, Software Architecture, Programming Principles, Maintainability, Java, Application Design, Software Development
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

California Institute of the Arts
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Graphic Design, Design Elements And Principles, Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Photoshop, Logo Design, Photography, Brand Strategy, Photo Editing, Layout Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Branding, Color Theory, Adobe InDesign, Design, Visual Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Creative Design, Art History, Style Guides
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Visual Design, Design, Layout Design, Design Elements And Principles, Typography, Design Software, Design Reviews, Design Strategies, Color Theory, Adobe Photoshop, Peer Review, Creativity
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Brainstorming, Design Thinking, Innovation, Ideation, Stakeholder Analysis, Creative Thinking, User Research, Human Centered Design, Design Research, Project Scoping, User Experience Design, User Experience, Persona Development, Project Planning, Process Mapping, Value Engineering, Product Development, Growth Mindedness, Strategic Thinking, Creativity
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

California Institute of the Arts
Skills you'll gain: User Research, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Wireframing, UI/UX Strategy, Information Architecture, Mockups, User Experience Design, Responsive Web Design, Web Design, Adobe XD, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience, Design Research, User Centered Design, Graphic and Visual Design, User Interface (UI), Prototyping, User Flows, Interaction Design, Design
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, Wireframing, User Experience Design, User Research, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Presentations, Prototyping, Information Architecture, Figma (Design Software), Design Thinking, User Story, User Centered Design, Mobile Development, Design Reviews, Data Ethics, Mockups, Usability, Interviewing Skills, Applicant Tracking Systems
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months