Name: Introduction to Indie Games
Rating: 4.76667 (30 reviews)

Learn how great indie games are made and what it takes to work in the industry

The video games sector is booming, employing more than 16,000 people in the UK. Moreover, 99.5% of all UK games companies are small and medium-sized independent enterprises.

On this course, you will explore the thriving independent games sector. You’ll examine its cultural and economic importance, meeting and learning from the creators and teams who make the games you love.

You will develop an understanding of what indie games are, how they’re made, the skills required to work in the industry, and how you can go about developing these skills in order to launch your own career in the sector.

Featured in the UK government’s The Skills Toolkit collection.

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Syllabus

Week 1
Exploring indie games and the industry
- Welcome to the course
  Thanks for joining this two-week introduction to indie games course. In these steps, we will preview what we will cover on this course and get you started with some interesting information about the games industry.
- Games studios and independent design
  These steps explore the culture of independent games and look at the rise of gamification and game culture in wider society.
- Why do independent games matter?
  In these steps, we will meet game makers, and explore the issues that drive them.
- End of the week
  Let's round out week one of the course.
Week 2
Developing the skills and knowledge for a future in games
- Welcome back
  Thanks for joining us for Week 2 of our introduction to indie games.
- Indie games and pitching ideas
  Indie games often distinguish themselves by reflecting life and culture. In these steps we will look at games that do this and also explore what it takes to build a pitch for a game.
- Understanding roles and skills
  We explore some of the disciplines and skills needed for working in the indie games sector.
- Facing the future and new ideas: How might the industry evolve?
  Where is the gaming industry headed and what can we expect to see in the future? In these steps, you will also get a chance to develop an idea of your own.
- Next steps
  We finalise week two and get you thinking about where you might head next for further information.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Describe the characteristics and definitions of an indie game.
Summarise the process of making a game and understand the elements needed to create a game pitch.
Compare different indie games and gain an understanding of different styles of gameplay.
Explain the various funding models that can be used to finance an indie game project.
Identify the skills required to work in game design or game development.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the independent games industry, whether you’re a gamer, or someone looking for a career in the sector. You might also be interested in the other courses in the Essential Creative Technologies collection from UAL Creative Computing Institute, Lancaster University and the Institute of Coding.

What software or tools do you need?

To take part in this course you need a laptop or tablet device with an access to the internet.

Who will you learn with?

Mick Grierson

Mick Grierson is Professor of Creative Computing at UAL Creative Computing Institute.

Who developed the course?

UAL Creative Computing Institute

The UAL Creative Computing Institute (CCI) offers innovative new courses, research opportunities and a public platform to explore computer science and creative practice.

Institute of Coding

The Institute of Coding is a family of learners, businesses and educators creating a new way to develop the digital skills needed at work and beyond.

What's included?

UAL Creative Computing Institute are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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