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Fundamentals of Game Design

About This Course

Dive into the foundational elements of game design by exploring how professionals ideate, research and scope successful games. 

Each week, you'll study a major game genre and develop an original design pitch. You'll use industry-standard tools for research, documentation and communication, and learn directly from professionals. The course culminates in a collaborative capstone project, where you'll work with a team to create a game concept, design documents and a playable prototype, which you'll present to a faculty and industry panel.

What You'll Learn

  • History of games, game genres and mechanics

  • The importance of the player interface, player objectives, rule systems and game mechanics

  • How to create engagement cycles and evolving narrative arcs

  • How to develop and write a game design document

  • Skills for working in the gaming industry or applying game techniques in other fields

Course Sessions

Online Synchronous

March 2027
Dates Mar 17 - May 19
Location Online
Cost $1,765
Apply Starting Jan 13, 2027
Scheduled Meetings
Date
Day
Time
Location
Mar 17, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
Mar 24, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
Mar 31, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
Apr 7, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
Apr 14, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
Apr 21, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
Apr 28, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
May 5, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
May 12, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online
May 19, 2027
Wed
6 – 9 p.m.
Online

All times are Pacific Time.

Learning Format

Online Synchronous: Combine the convenience of online learning with the immediacy of real-time interaction. You'll meet with your instructor and classmates at scheduled times over Zoom.

Noncredit Course

You'll earn 3.0 continuing education units (CEUs) for successfully completing this course.