• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Game Design

    Game Design Courses Online

    Explore game design principles for creating engaging games. Learn about game mechanics, storytelling, and user experience.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
    Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
    Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
    Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.
    Earn career credentials while taking courses that count towards your Master’s degree.
    Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.
    Complete graduate-level learning without committing to a full degree program.
    Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.
    Graduate level learning within reach.

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Game Design Course Catalog

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Coursera Project Network

      Basic Game Development with Levels using Scratch

      Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Debugging, Game Design, Animation and Game Design, Program Development, Algorithms, Computer Programming, Application Development, Programming Principles

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      135 reviews

      Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    • U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Graphic Design

      Skills you'll gain: Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Visual Design, Typography, Adobe InDesign, Design Reviews, Adobe Photoshop, Design Elements And Principles, Peer Review, Color Theory, Editing, Creativity

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.3K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      S

      Stanford University

      Game Theory II: Advanced Applications

      Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Bidding, Social Sciences, Resource Allocation, Political Sciences, Economics, Behavioral Economics, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Probability & Statistics

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      641 reviews

      Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • M

      Michigan State University

      Game Design and Development 4: 3D Platformer

      Skills you'll gain: Unity Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, C# (Programming Language), Animation and Game Design, Conceptual Design, Microsoft Visual Studio, Computer Programming, Social Studies, Ideation, Socioeconomics, Business Ethics, Peer Review

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      42 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • E

      Epic Games

      Game Development and Prototyping

      Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Video Game Development, Prototyping, Unreal Engine, Animation and Game Design, System Design and Implementation, Creativity, User Interface (UI), Artificial Intelligence

      4.3
      Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
      ·
      12 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • M

      Michigan State University

      Game Design and Development 5: Capstone Project

      Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Software Design Documents, Prototyping, Video Game Development, Software Documentation, Conceptual Design, Ideation, Usability Testing, Peer Review, Creativity

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      36 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • M

      Macquarie University

      Online Learning Design for Educators

      Skills you'll gain: Video Production, Infographics, Course Development, Multimedia, Discussion Facilitation, Content Creation, Constructive Feedback, Instructional Design, Design Thinking, Learning Management Systems, Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Storytelling, Community Development, Emerging Technologies, Education Software and Technology, Virtual Environment, Collaboration, System Configuration, Safety and Security

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      384 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Maryland, College Park

      Product Ideation, Design, and Management

      Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Product Management, Product Development, New Product Development, Wireframing, Financial Statements, Product Design, User Experience Design, Team Leadership, Prototyping, Competitive Analysis, Financial Modeling, Value Propositions, Proposal Writing, Innovation, Corporate Finance, Target Market, Market Opportunities, Ideation, Product Improvement

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      681 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Coursera Instructor Network

      Design Thinking for Innovators

      Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Business Transformation, Process Design, Business Process, Human Centered Design, Business Solutions, Innovation, Creative Problem-Solving, Ideation, Creativity, Overcoming Obstacles, User Research, User Feedback, Empathy, Adaptability

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      30 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      T

      The University of Sydney

      Design-Led Strategy: Design thinking for business strategy and entrepreneurship

      Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Innovation, Business Modeling, Product Design, Service Design, Product Development, Business Strategy, Strategic Communication, Market Research, Corporate Strategy, User Feedback, Product Testing, Customer Insights

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.3K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • T

      The Museum of Modern Art

      Fashion as Design

      Skills you'll gain: Culture, Cultural Diversity, Aesthetics, Innovation, Design, Art History, Environmental Issue, Research, Sociology, Design Thinking, Creativity, World History

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.9K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New AI skills
      New AI skills
      G

      Google

      Google Project Management:

      Skills you'll gain: Quality Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Project Scoping, Project Closure, Project Management, Project Planning, Continuous Improvement Process, Agile Project Management, Project Controls, Backlogs, Quality Assessment, Team Management, Project Documentation, Agile Methodology, Communication Planning, Project Schedules, Change Management, Milestones (Project Management), Organizational Structure, Data Storytelling

      Build toward a degree

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      128K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    Game Design learners also search

    Beginner Game Design
    Game Development
    Game Programming
    Digital Design
    Digital Media
    Digital Art
    Character Design
    Photography
    1…456…386

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular game design courses

    • Basic Game Development with Levels using Scratch: Coursera Project Network
    • Graphic Design: University of Colorado Boulder
    • Game Theory II: Advanced Applications: Stanford University
    • Game Design and Development 4: 3D Platformer: Michigan State University
    • Game Development and Prototyping: Epic Games
    • Game Design and Development 5: Capstone Project: Michigan State University
    • Online Learning Design for Educators: Macquarie University
    • Product Ideation, Design, and Management: University of Maryland, College Park
    • Design Thinking for Innovators: Coursera Instructor Network
    • Design-Led Strategy: Design thinking for business strategy and entrepreneurship: The University of Sydney

    Skills you can learn in Design And Product

    User Interface (18)
    User Experience (16)
    Software Testing (13)
    Game Design (11)
    Agile Software Development (10)
    Graphics (10)
    Virtual Reality (9)
    Design Thinking (8)
    Web (8)
    Video Game Development (7)
    Web Design (7)
    Adobe Photoshop (6)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Game Design

    Coursera's Game Design courses offer learners the opportunity to acquire a diverse range of skills critical for creating engaging and immersive video games:

    • Fundamental principles of game design, including storyboarding, gameplay theory, and character development.
    • Techniques for creating interactive game experiences, focusing on user engagement and retention.
    • Skills in using game development tools and platforms, such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
    • Best practices for level design, ensuring games are challenging yet accessible.
    • Understanding of game aesthetics to enhance visual storytelling and player immersion.
    • Insights into the business of games, including market analysis, distribution, and monetization strategies.‎

    Game Design courses on Coursera are accessible to learners with varying levels of experience:

    • Beginners interested in game design can start with introductory courses that do not require previous programming or design experience.
    • Those with some background in related fields like software development or digital art can deepen their knowledge of specific aspects of game creation.
    • Advanced designers and programmers can enhance their skills with specialized courses in advanced game mechanics, engine-specific training, or professional game development practices.‎

    Upon completing Game Design courses, learners can obtain credentials that may support their career advancement in the game industry:

    • Professional certificates that may demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and hands-on skills in game design.
    • Specializations that focus on particular aspects of game design and development, offering a deeper dive into subjects like virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI) in games, or multiplayer game settings.
    • Certificates that can showcase the learner’s capabilities to potential employers or collaborators within the gaming community.‎

    Skills acquired from Game Design courses can open doors to multiple career paths within the gaming industry and related fields:

    • Game Designer, crafting the core concepts and gameplay elements of new games.
    • Level Designer, focusing on the creation of engaging game environments and player progression.
    • Narrative Designer, developing storylines, dialogues, and character arcs within games.
    • Game Developer, implementing the technical aspects of game mechanics using programming languages.
    • Game Artist, designing visual elements such as characters, assets, and textures that define the game’s aesthetic.‎

    Looking to enhance your team's Game Design skills? Coursera provides tailored enterprise solutions for teams ranging of 5-125 employees. Our offerings include advanced analytics, customized learning paths, and collaborative tools. To explore our Game Design training options and make a purchase, please visit our Coursera for Teams page.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Manage Cookie Preferences
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok