Free Self-Paced Course

Video Game Design: The Invisible Art

11 Weeks · 309 Sections · Computer Science — Game Design & Interactive Media

This free, self-paced course provides a structured 11-week syllabus for learning Video Game Design. Each module builds on the previous one, guiding you from foundational concepts through advanced topics with 309 pages of in-depth reading material. All content is drawn from our comprehensive Video Game Design textbook, organized into a clear weekly schedule that you can follow at your own pace.

Modules

309

Sections

Self-Paced

Free

Always Free

Weekly Syllabus

1 Front Matter

2 Part I: Part I: What Is Game Design?

3 Part II: Part II: The Core of Design --- Mechanics and Dynamics

4 Part III: Part III: Player Psychology --- Why Games Feel Good

5 Part IV: Part IV: Level Design and Spatial Thinking

6 Part V: Part V: Narrative Design

7 Part VI: Part VI: Systems Design

8 Part VII: Part VII: Polish and Production

9 Part VIII: Part VIII: The Business and Culture of Games

10 Part IX: Part IX: Ship It

11 Appendices

How to Use This Syllabus

Read at your own pace. Each module is designed for roughly one week of study, but there are no deadlines. Spend as much time as you need on each topic.
Follow in order or jump around. The modules are arranged sequentially for a structured learning path, but feel free to skip to any topic that interests you most.
No sign-up needed. Every page in this syllabus links directly to free, open-access content. Just click a topic and start reading immediately.

Ready to Start Learning?

Access the full Video Game Design textbook with all chapters, examples, and exercises.

Open the Full Textbook