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California Institute of the Arts

Introduction to Game Design

Fran Krause

Instructor: Fran Krause

118,568 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(2,816 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 6 hours
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(2,816 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 6 hours
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course

Details to know

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Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Game Design: Art and Concepts Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
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There are 4 modules in this course

This week we start at the beginning: what are the principles of very simple games, like Hangman and tic-tac-toe? How do these games work? Why do people play them? What are the elements that define games and the gaming experience? And finally, what do games have in common with each other, and what sets them apart? In addition to covering the basics and ground rules for this course, we'll conclude this week with a very simple, low-tech assignment: create a game on a single sheet of paper.

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 peer review1 discussion prompt

How does a player learn the mechanics of your game? How do they learn anything about your game? This week we will talk about the rules that define gameplay, and how those rules are communicated to your players. We also discuss the way rules are bent and broken by players.

What's included

6 videos1 peer review

How does narrative drive a player to start playing your game? Or to finish it? This week we'll look at some of the ways you can make your game more compelling with story, and discuss some of the ways story can drive gameplay forward, or enable a player to make their own way through it.

What's included

9 videos1 peer review

What purpose does an enemy serve in a game? What effect does a second player have on two-player games? Can a game work without an adversary or a final goal? We'll address all of those questions in this last week of the class, and work towards finalizing your board game project with characters.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 peer review

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.9 (604 ratings)
Fran Krause
2 Courses142,476 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

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4.7

2,816 reviews

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