Online course

Game Design and Development: Video Game Character Design

How and why do video gamers identify with the characters they control? Find out with this introduction to character design.

Game Design and Development: Video Game Character Design

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Overview
Topics
Start dates
Requirements
Educators
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  • Duration 2 weeks
  • Weekly study 2 hours
  • Learn Free
  • Extra benefits From $59 Find out more

Discover the world of video game character design

This online course shows you how to approach character design for video games, giving you important insights into how gamers identify with the characters they control and interact with in-game worlds.

The course encompasses studies of anatomy, graphic design, narrative and gameplay, to provide you with a broad knowledge and understanding of the field of video game character design.

By the end, you’ll discover how studying human nature can help you design characters that gamers will recognise and understand.

What topics will you cover?

  • Narrative theory for video game characters
  • Gameplay design for video game characters
  • Visual design principles
  • Anatomical knowledge and physical cues
  • Professional insights

When would you like to start?

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more

  • Available now
    This course started 6 May 2019

What will you achieve?

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

  • Develop an appreciation of how studying human nature can inform how we design characters that audiences will recognise and understand.
  • Assess how fundamental visual, narrative, and game design principles can inform the development of characters.
  • Develop skills in analysing and prototyping character design concepts.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in game design and development, including those who are considering studying it at university and entering the games industry.

It will be particularly suitable for those interested in the field of character design.

What software or tools do you need?

No specific software is required to study this course.

Who will you learn with?

Robin Sloan

Robin Sloan

I am a Lecturer and Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Game Design and Production Management at Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland.

Who developed the course?

Abertay is a global leader in computer games education.

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