California Institute of the Arts

Introduction to Game Design

California Institute of the Arts

Introduction to Game Design

This course is part of Game Design: Art and Concepts Specialization

Fran Krause

Instructor: Fran Krause

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133,892 already enrolled

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

2,928 reviews

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

2,928 reviews

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

What you'll learn

  • Define the core mechanics, rules, and conceptual underpinnings that differentiate games from other forms of interactive media and entertainment.

  • Analyze how specific game design choices and systems influence player behavior, emotional engagement, and overall gameplay experience.

  • Create structured game design documentation that clearly communicates original concepts, mechanics, and win-state conditions to stakeholders.

  • Develop and iterate on playable game concepts using rapid prototyping techniques to test balance and engagement without requiring programming.

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
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

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

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Instructor

Instructor ratings
(642 ratings)
Fran Krause
2 Courses160,265 learners

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California Institute of the Arts

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