About this course: As well as a form of art and entertainment, games are about business. Whether you want to work at a game studio, start your own business or make games as a hobby, recognizing the dynamic landscape of the videogame industry is critical to finding your place. This course will introduce you to game production, project management, teamwork skills, and how to position your game ideas and yourself in the broader marketplace. By the end of the course, you will be able to develop an impactful portfolio of game work to get noticed and/or develop an effective business plan to bring your game to market.
Created by: Michigan State University
Taught by: Casey O'Donnell, Associate Professor
Media and Information
| Basic Info |
Course 3 of 5 in the
Game Design and Development Specialization.
|
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Show Me the Money!
The reality is that making games isn't just about art and creativity, though sometimes some of us wish that were the case. All art has economic considerations. Creative people need food, shelter and safe creative spaces to work within. Thus, one way or another...
10 videos, 4 readings
Graded: Reflecting on Games and Money
Graded: The Game Industry and Money
Graded: Intellectual Property
Graded: SWOT Analysis Document
WEEK 2
Games are Made of People
I think one of the most important things to realize about the business of games is that games are made up of people. While I'm borrowing the line from "Soylent Green" to be a bit funny, the reality is that creative people really do live and breath the games th...
10 videos, 5 readings
Graded: Teamwork Fundamentals Quiz
Graded: Project Management Quiz
Graded: Leadership Quiz
Graded: Production Schedule, Budget and Key Personnel
WEEK 3
Pitching Your Game and Yourself
It may seem a bit cliché, but the idea that perception is reality is perhaps doubly important in games. This doesn't mean that style rules over substance, but that they ultimately both have to exist. That can be a hard thing to hear, that how you present somet...
9 videos, 5 readings
Graded: The Art of the Demo
Graded: Game Idea Pitch or Pitching Yourself
WEEK 4
Entrepreneurship and Starting a Company
Starting a company isn't for everyone. But it is also good to know what goes into starting a company even if you're not the one doing it. Often times, as an employee, it can feel pretty arbitrary why a company makes the decisions it does (and sometimes it is, ...
7 videos, 4 readings
Graded: Launching a Business Quiz
Graded: Work for Hire Communication Quiz
Graded: Competitive Analysis
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
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Creators
Michigan State University
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.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Good course
Some business content but more of an overview of the wacky culture of Game Companies. It does get student to try and think about the realites of trying to make a game a financial success.
Personally for me (for a person not familiar with business), it was very difficult. Thank you)
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Magnificent, totally recommended.