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Launch Your Career in Game Design and Development. Learn the theory and practice of game making using Unity 2020
Instructor: Brian Winn
23,601 already enrolled
Included with
(522 reviews)
Recommended experience
Beginner level
Basic computer literacy
The ability to follow instructions and learn new software interfaces
Programming experience is not required
(522 reviews)
Recommended experience
Beginner level
Basic computer literacy
The ability to follow instructions and learn new software interfaces
Programming experience is not required
The ability to design and develop 2D games.
The ability to design and develop 3D games.
The game design and development process.
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In this completely revised 2021 version of the Specialization, learners build the skills necessary to design and development games. The Specialization focuses on both the theory and practice of game making. From a technical standpoint, learners create four game projects in the latest Unity 2020 game engine, include a 2D Shooter, 2D Platformer, First-Person Shooter, and 3D Platformer. In the Capstone Project, learners create a completely original game of their own design from initial concept up to the first playable prototype. The Specialization comes from the Michigan State University game program which is ranked as one of the top programs in North America.
Applied Learning Project
Learners build four complete Unity game projects while acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to succeed in the game industry. Learners build a solid foundation for industry roles as a game designer, level designer, technical designer, technical artist, programmer, and/or producer.
If you love games and want to learn how to make them, then this course will start you down that path. Making games is a creative and technical art form. In this course you will familiarize yourself with the tools and practices of game development and well as the process. You will get started developing video games using industry standard game development tools, including the Unity 2020 game engine. At the end of the course you will have completed two hands-on projects, including an Intro to Unity project and a 2D Shooter game, and will be able to leverage an array of game development techniques to create your own basic games.
If you love games and want to learn how to make them, then this course is your second step down that path. In this course you will learn the fundamentals of game design, including an understanding of the game world, storytelling, gameplay, user experience, and game technology. You will continue developing videogames using industry standard game development tools, including the Unity game engine. At the end of the course you will have completed a 2D Platformer game, and will be able to leverage an array of game development techniques to create your own basic games.
If you love games and want to learn how to make them, then this course is your third step down that path. In this course you will learn the fundamentals of game design, including an understanding of level design, game balancing, prototyping, and playtesting, as well as game asset creation techniques. You will continue developing video games using industry standard game development tools, including the Unity 2020 game engine. At the end of the course you will have completed a 3D First-Person Shooter game, and will be able to leverage an array of game development techniques to create your own basic games.
If you love games and want to learn how to make them, then this course is your fourth step down that path. In this course you will learn the fundamentals of game design, including an understanding of game idea generation, design documentation, the business side of games, and social issues in games. You will continue developing video games using industry standard game development tools, including the Unity 2020 game engine. At the end of the course you will have completed a 3D Platformer game, and will be able to leverage an array of game development techniques to create your own basic games.
In the game design and development capstone course, you will create an original game from initial concept up to the first playable version! Along the way, you will have the opportunity to put your game ideas in front of your peers. The capstone experience gives you the opportunity to push your skills further and demonstrate your newfound skills as a game developer. The capstone also contains guest talks from game industry professionals at Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Insomniac Games, Gearbox Entertainment, Iron Galaxy, Deep Silver Volition, Goodgame Studios, Stardock, GREE, Heart Shaped Games, and more.
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Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
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The specialization will utilize the popular Unity game engine, which is available for free for Windows or MacOS computers. You may wish to use other tools to create game assets (graphics and sounds) but the choice of tools is flexible and there are many available commercially, such as the Adobe Creative Cloud and Autodesk Maya, or for free, such as GIMP or Blender, in the open source community.
You will have a solid foundation to work toward an industry role as a game designer, level designer, technical designer, technical artist, game programmer, or game producer.
Time to completion can vary based on your schedule, but most learners are able to complete the Specialization in about 20 weeks. That is five courses at 4-weeks each.
Each course in the Specialization is offered on a regular schedule, with sessions starting usually once per month. If you don't complete a course on the first try, you can easily transfer to the next session, and your completed work and grades will carry over.
Yes, you should take the courses in order as each course builds upon the previous course.
Coursera courses and certificates don't carry university credit, though some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit as part of an indepedent study course. Check with your institution to learn more.
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
¹ Median salary and job opening data are sourced from Lightcast™ Job Postings Report. Data for job roles relevant to featured programs (2/1/2024 - 2/1/2025)