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    Video Games Courses Online

    Explore video game design and development. Learn about game mechanics, storytelling, and programming for creating engaging games.

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    Explore the Video Games Course Catalog

    • U

      University of Cape Town

      Julia Scientific Programming

      Skills you'll gain: Box Plots, Jupyter, Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization, Scientific Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Other Programming Languages, Data Import/Export, Computer Programming, Mathematical Modeling, Package and Software Management

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      433 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      3D Printing Software

      Skills you'll gain: 3D Modeling, Design Software, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Technical Design, Computer Graphics, Graphical Tools, Technical Communication

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      541 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      P

      Peking University

      Chinese for HSK 3 PART I

      Skills you'll gain: Vocabulary, Oral Comprehension, Language Competency, Grammar, Language Learning

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      642 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Geneva

      Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface

      Skills you'll gain: Infectious Diseases, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Epidemiology, Environment, Public Health, Environment Health And Safety, Health Policy, Nutrition and Diet, Microbiology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      356 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      D

      Duke University

      Think Again II: How to Reason Deductively

      Skills you'll gain: Deductive Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Computational Logic, Scientific Methods

      4.3
      Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
      ·
      392 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      N

      Northwestern University

      The Importance of Listening

      Skills you'll gain: Real Time Data, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Big Data, Marketing Analytics, Crisis Management, Analytics, Content Strategy, Text Mining, Data-Driven Decision-Making

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.6K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IE Business School

      Storytelling in Branding and Content Marketing

      Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Content Marketing, Brand Strategy, Content Creation, Branding, Marketing Communications, Brand Awareness, Advertising, Content Strategy, Journalism, Customer Engagement, Presentations, Target Audience

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      324 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      V

      Vanderbilt University

      Java for Android

      Skills you'll gain: Android Studio, Android Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java Programming, Java, Mobile Development, Data Structures, Integrated Development Environments, Computer Programming, Development Environment, Debugging, Algorithms

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.1K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • É

      École Polytechnique

      Fundamentals of Fluid-Solid Interactions

      Skills you'll gain: Vibrations, Engineering Analysis, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Mechanics, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      723 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      C

      Columbia University

      First Principles of Computer Vision

      Skills you'll gain: Computer Vision, Image Analysis, Computer Graphics, Dimensionality Reduction, 3D Modeling, Photography, Artificial Neural Networks, Virtual Reality, Medical Imaging, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Color Theory, Unsupervised Learning, Deep Learning, Graph Theory, Automation Engineering, Mathematical Modeling, Machine Learning Algorithms, Estimation, Electronic Components, Algorithms

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      215 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • N

      National Taiwan University

      3D CAD Application

      Skills you'll gain: SketchUp (3D Modeling Software), 3D Modeling, Construction, Building Design, Architectural Drawing, Architecture and Construction, Computer-Aided Design

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      160 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      A

      Arizona State University

      Business English: Marketing and Sales

      Skills you'll gain: Sales Presentations, Brainstorming, Selling Techniques, Marketing Communications, Business Correspondence, Advertising, Business Marketing, Business Communication, Promotional Strategies, Presentations, Consultative Selling, Persuasive Communication, Marketing, Employee Surveys, Public Speaking, Communication Strategies, Vocabulary

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      683 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Video Games learners also search

    Design
    Graphic Design
    Beginner Graphic Design
    Graphic Design Projects
    Advanced Graphic Design
    Design Projects
    3D Design
    Communication Design
    1…313233…116

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular video games courses

    • Julia Scientific Programming: University of Cape Town
    • 3D Printing Software: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Chinese for HSK 3 PART I: Peking University
    • Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface: University of Geneva
    • Think Again II: How to Reason Deductively: Duke University
    • The Importance of Listening: Northwestern University
    • Storytelling in Branding and Content Marketing : IE Business School
    • Java for Android: Vanderbilt University
    • Fundamentals of Fluid-Solid Interactions: École Polytechnique
    • First Principles of Computer Vision: Columbia University

    Frequently Asked Questions about Video Games

    Video games are electronic games played on computer systems, such as dedicated consoles, personal computers, or mobile phones. Often featuring elements of challenge, strategy, exploration, and entertainment, video games encompass many different genres, like action-adventure, platformers, shooters, and role-playing games (RPGs), that often (but not always) share certain game mechanics. As a result, while some video games may focus purely on gameplay, others may also pay particular attention to storytelling and worldbuilding.

    The wide range of player interests and preferences catered to by video games has made them a popular – and lucrative – form of art and entertainment. According to research from Statista, the worldwide revenue for video games is projected to reach a whopping $626.78 billion by 2028, or nearly three times its 2018 valuation 1. This suggests that demand for video games and the professionals capable of designing them will continue to grow in the coming years.

    1 Statista. “Video game market revenue worldwide from 2018 to 2028.” Accessed December 12, 2023.‎

    Online video game courses can help you build the skills to create your own video game or join the industry. Offered by top universities like the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) and Michigan State University, Coursera’s flexible, online video game courses and specializations offer a chance for you to build job-relevant skills at your own pace and cost-effectively. ‎

    The exact skills you’ll need for a career in the video game industry will vary based on the precise position you’re hoping to land. For example, while video game writers need a strong grasp of storytelling, game developers need a thorough understanding of programming in game engines. Regardless of your role, though, here are some of the skills that you might consider building:

    • Game design: Understanding of game mechanics, gameplay elements, level design, and user experience principles.
    • Programming: Proficiency in programming languages like C++, C#, and Java.
    • Game engines: Familiarity with game development engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.
    • 2D and 3D art: Skills in digital art creation, including character design, environmental modeling, texture, animation, and visual effects.
    • Audio design: Knowledge of sound editing, music composition, and audio integration technique.
    • Gameplay testing: Ability to perform playtesting, identify bugs or issues, and provide feedback for game improvement.
    • Player experience: Awareness of player preferences, market trends, and the ability to create engaging, rewarding game experiences. ‎

    Video games are a multi-faceted medium that encompasses many different subjects. As a result, there are various topics that you can study to enhance your skills and knowledge of video games, including game design, sound design, visual art, graphic design, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, storytelling, programming languages, and 3D visual effects (VFX), among other things.

    You can explore many of these topics and more on Coursera’s catalog of online courses, Specializations, and guided projects. ‎

    The video game industry employs many different types of people who hold a wide range of positions. Whether you want to design characters, program gameplay elements, or craft interactive narratives, there’s likely a job for you in the game industry. At a glance, here are just some of the jobs you might consider pursuing:

    • Gameplay designer • Game writer • Level designer • User experience (UX) designer • 3D modeling artist • Concept artist • Environment artist • Animator • Sound designer • Engine programmer • Gameplay programmer • Game tester

    Read more: What Is a Game Developer (and How Do I Become One)?‎

    The pay range for video game professionals can vary considerably from one job to another. According to Glassdoor, for example, the average salary of a game developer in the United States is $90,160 a year as of December 2023 2. Meanwhile, the average salary for a 3D modeling artist is $61,930 a year as of December 2023 3. Ultimately, the precise pay you can expect to earn will vary based not only on your position, but also on your experience level, qualifications, and geographic location. ‎

    If you’re interested in joining the video game industry, you might consider pursuing a career as a video game developer. In addition to earning a higher-than-average salary – $90,160 a year, according to Glassdoor (Dec. 2023) 2 – as videogame develop you’ll also get the opportunity to build video games from scratch, collaborate with like-minded professionals, and craft engaging experiences for players around the world. ‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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