Building your very own game is extremely fun, and there are plenty of fantastic classes available online. Learning how to create a video game gifts you the opportunity to use your creativity and imagination, along with the various skills you have picked up throughout your coding journey.
Crafting your own game requires you to have knowledge in multiple languages such as C++, C#, HTML5, and JavaScript. Not only does learning about game development improve your overall coding skillset, but it’s also a good way to earn some extra cash as games can be monetized.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the best online courses focused on video game development.
Contents
3 Complete Video Game Development Courses
Enrolling in a complete course is a perfect way to grasp all of the necessary skills to be a competent video game developer. In each of the courses below, you’ll get to grips with the theory behind game development and complete each lesson with in-depth knowledge on the topic.
1. Learn How to Make Games in Unity – BitDegree
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Lessons (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: No
- Communication (Support): Possible (Message System)
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (Not Accredited)
- Price*: A once-off payment of $26.99 for access to this course
- Link: Learn How to Make Games in Unity
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
To start off, you will learn how to code and make games in Unity. It focuses on game design and the skills necessary to create 2D and 3D games.
To complete this class, you will be required to install Unity and have some basic C# knowledge.
If you’re a coding enthusiast then BitDegree is the perfect educational platform for you. It is regarded as one of the first blockchain-powered online educational sites, and it offers tons of courses relevant to the IT and digital industry.
There is an array of educational programs in its collection of tutorials and lessons, including plenty of game development courses.
2. Build 2D and 3D Games in Unity – Simpliv
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Lectures (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: Yes (Quizzes)
- Communication (Support): Possible (via E-mail)
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (Not Accredited)
- Price*: A once-off payment of $9.99 + a 20-day money-back guarantee
- Link: Build 2D and 3D Games in Unity
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
You’ll begin getting to grips with installing and setting up Unity. Once you have set it up, you will learn all about pathfinding, basic artificial intelligence, lightning and lightmapping, as well as camera animations. By the end of this program, you would have required the skills needed to build 2D and 3D games.
If you’re keen to completely excel in video game development then check out Simpliv’s course catalog. Learning through Simpliv is a great experience, as it offers learners top-quality and reliable programs focusing on a range of industries such as IT, business development, and marketing courses.
3. Specialize in Unity Game Development – Coursera
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Lessons (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: Yes (Exercises and Projects)
- Communication (Support): Yes (Community)
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (Professional Certificate)
- Price*: A monthly subscription of $49 to access all courses in the Specialization + a 7-day free trial
- Link: Specialize in Unity Game Development
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
Over the course of 5 months, learners will be taught about C# and how to use it to program Unity games. Throughout the classes, students will complete hands-on projects to build two complete games.
If you’re interested in enrolling in a university equivalent course then Coursera is exactly what you need. This online educational platform provides students with many higher educational programs, including a Bachelor’s and Master’s course. You can even sign up for one of its other video game development courses on the platform.
3 Beginner Courses
The following beginner programs are for completely new programmers or for those more experienced developers who are eager to enter the world of game development.
4. Learn C++ and Develop Video Games – Udemy
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Videos (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: No
- Communication (Support): Possible
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (Not Accredited)
- Price*: A once-off payment of $9.99 for access to this course + a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Link: Learn C++ and Develop Video Games
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
This is perfect for beginners with no coding experience as the course begins with C++ basics. Then learners will move on to design principles and understand how to use the Unreal Engine 4 Editor. Upon completion of the program, you would have made four video games.
To partake in it, students need 15GB of free disk space and a computer running Unreal 4.
Udemy not only provides this course but it also offers students many other video game development programs too. This platform is the ideal e-learning site that provides top-class tutorials and lessons focused on a range of topics.
5. A Guide to Building a Game in Unity – BitDegree
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Lessons (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: No
- Communication (Support): Possible (Message System)
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (Not Accredited)
- Price*: A once-off fee of $4.99 for access to this course
- Link: A Guide to Building a Game in Unity
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
It teaches learners how to build their own 2D games in Unity. Throughout the program, you will learn how to create a side-scrolling platform and craft 2D game art in photoshop. By the end of the classes, you will be able to build a game based on the visual styles and mechanics of Mario Kart.
All that you need to do before enrolling in the class is to download Unity Game Engine 2017 and install Adobe Photoshop CC.
6. Create Tetris in JavaScript – Educative
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Lessons (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: Yes (Challenges, Quizzes, Playgrounds)
- Communication (Support): No
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (Not Accredited)
- Price*: An annual subscription of $20 or one month for $41 for unlimited access to all courses + a 7-day free trial.
- Link: Create Tetris in JavaScript
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
This 5 hour and 30 minutes program teaches the students how to build a game with JavaScript. You’ll also cover topics such as graphics, game loops, and collision detection. Finally, it teaches students how to make a fully functional game with levels and points included.
This program is taught on Educative. It is a brilliant site providing students with an interactive coding environment allowing them to gain invaluable coding skills.
3 Free Courses
The next three courses are completely free. They’re the ideal programs for those who want to jump into the game development industry but don’t want to break the bank.
7. Earn a Diploma in HTML5 Game Development – Alison
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Tutorials (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: Yes (Assessments)
- Communication (Support): No
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (CPD Accreditation)
- Price*: Free of charge + additional fee for a certificate
- Link: Earn a Diploma in HTML5 Game Development
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
You’ll touch on plenty of invaluable topics such as creating a map, adding interactions, battle systems, and creating player characteristics. Using HTML5, JavaScript, and the Apache Cordova platform, you will build a professional video game for a web browser and mobile platform.
Alison offers professionals and college students an insight into the coding industry through its many free courses. You’ll gain a great number of skills necessary to be a competent coder.
8. Learn How to Build Games in C++ – Udemy
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Videos (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: No
- Communication (Support): No
- Certificate of Completion: No
- Price*: Free of charge
- Link: Learn How to Build Games in C++
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
At the beginning of the program, students will be taught how to install Visual C++ and SFML. Then they will learn how to use the SFML library.
You will also get to grips with using graphics and sound to complete a 2D game. Towards the end of the program, it’ll teach you how to create the game ‘Pong’.
9. Learn About Unreal Engine and Game Development – edX
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Videos (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: No
- Communication (Support): Yes (Community)
- Certificate of Completion: No
- Price*: Free enrollment for this course or a once-off payment of $199.00 for unlimited access to the course material and receive a certificate
- Link: Learn About Unreal Engine and Game Development
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
The self-paced videos will guide you through creating 3D gaming environments. In order to build an interactive environment, you will learn how to set up location-based lighting for architectural visualization. Additionally, you will be taught about applying post-process volumes.
edX allows learners to pick their perfect program from an array of video game development classes. It is an incredible platform that even allows students to undertake university-level programs.
Best 3D Game Dev Course
This Simpliv course is a great 3D video game development program that focuses on building top-quality 3D games.
10. 3D Game Development with Mapbox – Simpliv
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Lectures (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: No
- Communication (Support): Possible (via E-mail)
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (Not Accredited)
- Price*: A once-off payment of $9.99 + a 20-day money-back guarantee
- Link: 3D Game Development with Mapbox
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
This program teaches you all you need to know about Mapbox. You will first learn how to add the Mapbox SDK to your 3D Unity projects. To build top-quality games you will include location and maps into it.
After getting to grips with Mapbox, learners will create buildings and obstacles with Mapbox’s Terrian Vector Tile system.
2 Certificate Courses
Apart from gaining a great amount of knowledge and skills, a certificate course is an excellent way to gain a competitive advantage. A certificate is a perfect way to establish professional credibility and it can be added to your CV or portfolio.
Below, we have listed and summarized the top two video game development certification programs.
11. Specialize in Game Design in Unity – Coursera
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Lessons (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: Yes (Exercises and Projects)
- Communication (Support): Yes (Community)
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (Professional Certificate)
- Price*: A monthly subscription of $49 to access all courses in the Specialization + a 7-day free trial
- Link: Specialize in Game Design in Unity
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
You will not only learn the theory behind game development but you will put this theory to practice by designing and developing 2D and 3D games. The game you create will be completely original and unique.
Coursera has a variety of certification programs available online. Simply, visit its site to browse through the collection of certificate courses.
12. Develop 3D Interactive Skills – edX
Features:
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Videos (Self-paced)
- Practice and Assessment: No
- Communication (Support): Yes (Community)
- Certificate of Completion: Yes (RIT Accredited)
- Price*: A once-off payment of $597 for full access to this course
- Link: Develop 3D Interactive Skills
*Relevant on 29th November, 2021
This collection of videos and classes introduces you to physics and forces for simulation. You will be guided through applying static and dynamic lighting for IES profiles and volumetrics to an environment.
edX allows learners across the globe the opportunity to participate in higher-educational programs. We recommend that you take a look through its many certificate course options on their site.
Worth Mentioning
There’s an extraordinary amount of online programs and tutorials available. We have compiled a list of 10 other courses that you can browse through to upgrade your game development skills.
- CG Spectrum
- PluralSight
- Shaw Academy
- FutureLearn
- SkillShare
- Codecademy
- Reed Courses
- NIIT
- InLearning
- CoursesOnline