Visual Development and Audio Design in Games

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Visual Development and Audio Design in Games

This course is part of Epic Games Game Design Professional Certificate

Instructors: Christopher Main

3,037 already enrolled

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

32 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

32 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Unreal Engine

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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Build your Design and Product expertise

This course is part of the Epic Games Game Design Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Epic Games

There are 5 modules in this course

In this course, you’ll be introduced to visual and audio development for games. You’ll learn about 3D models, animation, visual effects (VFX), and sound effects (SFX).

This course covers a variety of art-related topics that will help in your process to design, prototype, and better visualize new ideas. By the end, you’ll be able to: - Identify key art styles, lighting, and camera features used in games; - Create, modify, paint, and UV 3D models; - Use and create Niagara VFX and SFX for game design; - Understand technical animation; - How to implement animation in Unreal Engine.

Welcome to the Introduction to Art Styles module! In this module we will explore Art Styles, Camera Perspectives and Lighting in Game Design. This module will help you breakdown the art style of a game and how it can impact game design.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment3 discussion prompts

9 videos Total 27 minutes

Course Introduction 2 minutes
Introduction to Art Styles 2 minutes
Realism vs Stylized 3 minutes
Camera Perspectives 4 minutes
Camera Mechanics 4 minutes
Stylistic Choices 2 minutes
Lighting in Game Design 4 minutes
Meet and Greet 3 minutes
Introduction to Art Styles Review 2 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Art Styles Graded Quiz 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 30 minutes

Game Design - Venn Diagram 10 minutes
Art Styles in Games 10 minutes
Lighting in Game Design Examples 10 minutes

In this module we will cover technical animation and Unreal Engine's animation systems. We will create a new project as a foundation to be used for future game prototyping. In this project, we will import an assortment of Mixamo assets as a base animation kit.

What's included

28 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt

28 videos Total 133 minutes

Animation Overview 1 minute
Animation Blueprints 2 minutes
Animation Assets 4 minutes
Procedural animation and motion capture 3 minutes
Project setup 5 minutes
Mixamo setup 2 minutes
Unarmed blendspace 8 minutes
Animation blueprint: event graph 5 minutes
Animation blueprint: anim graph 6 minutes
Character Input: Strafe 6 minutes
Character Input: Dodge Blendspace 4 minutes
Character Input: Dodge Implementation 6 minutes
Character Input: Dodge Polish 6 minutes
Jump 5 minutes
Shield blendspace 6 minutes
Two handed blendspace 6 minutes
Rifle blendspace 4 minutes
Bow blendspace 6 minutes
Stealth blendspace 5 minutes
Animation stance 7 minutes
Idle Poses 3 minutes
Basic Attack Animations 3 minutes
Basic Attack Montages 4 minutes
Animation Blend per Bone 5 minutes
Block Montages 3 minutes
Air Dash 9 minutes
Code Comments 7 minutes
Introduction to Animation Review 3 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Introduction to Animation Graded Quiz 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Animation in games discussion 10 minutes

In this module we will cover what is a 3D model and how it is broken down in to triangles. We will review optimization techniques to help make a game run with smooth framerates. We will walkthrough the development of a 3D model from sketch, creation and implementation. We will import addition free 3D models to use in our re-design of the Stylized Egypt level.

What's included

14 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

14 videos Total 55 minutes

Introduction to 3D Modeling 2 minutes
What is a 3D model? 3 minutes
Optimization Techniques 6 minutes
Importing Weapons 8 minutes
Weapon Swap Setup 3 minutes
Weapon Implementation A 4 minutes
Weapon Implementation B 3 minutes
Unreal Engine Modeling Tools 2 minutes
3D Modeling Pre-Production 6 minutes
3D Modeling Production 6 minutes
Environment Assets 5 minutes
3D Model Code Comments 2 minutes
Introduction to 3D Modeling Review 2 minutes
Assignment: Stylized Egypt Redesign 2 minutes

1 assignment Total 45 minutes

Introduction to 3D Modeling Graded Quiz 45 minutes

1 peer review Total 60 minutes

Stylized Egypt World Building 60 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Stylized Egypt Redesign Share 10 minutes

In this module we will review what the Niagara VFX system is in Unreal Engine 5 and how it is broken down in to Niagara Emitters and Niagara Systems. We will also take a look a implementing common audio design components through your level and character.

What's included

10 videos1 assignment

10 videos Total 48 minutes

Overview of Visual Effects & Audio Design 1 minute
VFX in Unreal Engine 6 minutes
Using Niagara Systems 6 minutes
Common Niagara Emitter settings 7 minutes
Niagara Compatible Materials for Mesh 1 minute
SFX Imports 2 minutes
Ambient Audio 12 minutes
Footstep Audio Design 7 minutes
Attack Audio Design 4 minutes
Visual Effects (VFX) and Audio Design Review 2 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Introduction to Visual Effects (VFX) and Audio Design Graded Quiz 30 minutes

What's included

2 videos1 peer review1 discussion prompt

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(10 ratings)

Christopher Main

Epic Games

4 Courses 6,501 learners

Christen Main

Epic Games

4 Courses 6,501 learners

Offered by

Epic Games

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Reviewed on Feb 1, 2026

Excellent learning and skills adapting fantastic actually

Reviewed on Nov 7, 2024

I enjoyed it and feel more confident with my skills. Thank you

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2025

The teachers are good but since Epic moved everything to fab some assets are not available anymore

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.