What is game programming?

Game programming is writing the code that makes video games work. It's a part of the broader field of video game development, and it is, more specifically, the development of video game software. Game programming is based heavily on mathematics and programming logic, and it often includes specific programming languages, such as C Sharp. It also includes digital art, planning game concepts, and sound design to create gaming experiences that keep users playing and sharing games.

What opportunities will learning game programming make available to me?

Some opportunities that learning game programming can make available to you are working on a team with other programming professionals and artists to develop video game designs. This type of work is both highly analytical and extremely creative, so you could gain the chance to use both imagination and logic as part of your work if you go into the field of video game development. You may also find the experience of learning about game programming interesting and exciting.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn game programming?

Taking online courses on Coursera can help you learn game programming by covering the range of information from basic, beginner level programming through intermediate-level skills, such as using Python to create a game, and advanced courses such as more complex game development on PyGame. Select the courses on Coursera that complement your programming skill level, and then move through the courses at your own pace while developing a portfolio of your hands-on work.

How do I know if learning game programming is right for me?

To know if learning game programming is right for you, consider whether you enjoy exploring and discovering new ways to solve recurring problems and if you have strong mathematical skills or are willing to work on learning advanced math. It helps to be passionate about technology and driven to understand why things work the way they do. You also ideally need to be self-motivated, a person who takes initiative, and comfortable with linear thinking because game programming requires solving a lot of logic problems. Even though a team is typically involved in the creation of a game, game programmers spend most of their time alone and deep in thought, so it may also help if you're a person who is comfortable with a lot of quiet time for deep thinking.

What are the benefits of taking an online Game Programming course?

Online Game Programming courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Game Programming skills. Choose from a wide range of Game Programming courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Game Programming courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Game Programming, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Game Programming Courses Online with Certificates [2024]

Explore the Game Programming Course Catalog

University of Colorado System
C# Programming for Unity Game Development
Skills you'll gain: Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Problem Solving, Software Engineering, C Programming Language Family, Computer Programming Tools, Critical Thinking, Leadership and Management, Mathematics, Data Structures
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Michigan State University
Game Design and Development with Unity 2020
Skills you'll gain: User Experience, Game Theory, Design and Product, Interactive Design, Software Engineering, User Experience Design, Computer Graphics, Computer Programming, Graphic Design, Software Engineering Tools, Creativity, Human Computer Interaction, Storytelling, Visual Design, Product Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
583 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado System
C++ Programming for Unreal Game Development
Skills you'll gain: Computer Programming, C Programming Language Family, Computer Programming Tools, Programming Principles
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
196 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Michigan State University
Game Design and Development 1: 2D Shooter
Skills you'll gain: Software Engineering, Computer Graphics, Computer Programming, Software Engineering Tools
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
474 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Michigan State University
Game Design and Development 2: 2D Platformer
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, User Experience, Interactive Design, Storytelling, User Experience Design, Creativity, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
112 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
The University of Edinburgh
Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming
Skills you'll gain: Algorithms, Computer Programming, Problem Solving, Computer Graphics, Creativity, Decision Making, Programming Principles, Application Development, Computer Programming Tools, Software Engineering
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Basic Game Development using Scratch
Skills you'll gain: Computer Programming, Computer Science
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
University of Toronto
Learn to Program: Crafting Quality Code
Skills you'll gain: Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Python Programming, Algorithms, Computational Thinking, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
724 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
SAS
SAS Programmer
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Data Analysis, Statistical Programming, Data Analysis Software, Computer Programming, Statistical Analysis, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Management, Databases, Problem Solving, SQL, Process Analysis, Computational Logic
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Michigan State University
Art for Games
Skills you'll gain: Computer Graphics, Computer Graphic Techniques, Geometry, Visual Design, Graphics Software
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
384 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of California, Irvine
Programming with Google Go
Skills you'll gain: Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Software Engineering, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Critical Thinking, Algorithms, Data Structures, Problem Solving, Computational Logic, Operating Systems, Software Architecture, System Software, Computer Architecture
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.8K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Programming with Scratch
Skills you'll gain: Computer Programming, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Computer Programming Tools, Other Programming Languages, Process Analysis, Game Theory, Computational Thinking, Decision Making, Machine Learning
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
88 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months