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Video Game Design and Development: Introduction to Game Programming

Discover the essentials of video game programming and learn how you can start your own programming career.

15,617 enrolled on this course

Video Game Design and Development: Introduction to Game Programming

15,617 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Learn the basics of game development to understand how great games are designed

Video games have become a multi-billion-dollar industry, even recently overshadowing cinema as the globe’s go-to entertainment medium of choice.

Training to become a video game developer gives you access to this thriving industry, letting you be creative in the process, while gaining key transferable skills.

On this course, you’ll get an introduction to the major concepts of game programming, including user input, rendering and collision detection. You’ll take a detailed look at core programming concepts such as loops, conditional statements and data storage.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1

  • Game Loop
  • User input
  • Rendering
  • Delta Time
  • Sprites
  • Animation
  • Forces
  • Collision detection
  • Tile Map Rendering

Week 2

  • For loop
  • While loop
  • Conditional statements
  • Data storage
  • Functions
  • Passing parameters
  • Classes
  • Object orientation
  • Week 2 Assessment
  • Course Summary
  • Careers in the Games Industry
  • Further Study in Games at Abertay University

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 major concepts of game programming
  • Explain how programming concepts are applied to games
  • Evaluate different uses of programming concepts in games
  • Discuss the main ideas of the course and share your insights with others

Who is the course for?

This course would appeal to those with a general interest in programming and/or game programming. Some prior programming knowledge would be useful but is not required. Some mathematical understanding is required to understand programming structures.

What software or tools do you need?

No specific hardware, software or resources required.

Who will you learn with?

I was a lecturer in Games Programming at Abertay University. With teaching focusing on the fundamentals of games programming and graphics programming. Currently a senior games programmer in industry.

Who developed the course?

Abertay University

Abertay is a global leader in computer games education.

Ways to learn

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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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