Worldwide, video game sales including consoles, online, and mobile games are projected to reach $111 billion dollars this year. Mobile games are the fastest-growing segment of the market as more and more people play casual games. By 2019 Price Warehouse predicts social and casual 

game sales will exceed traditional game sales.  In this intermediate introductory course, you will learn the basics of video game design process, learn about the main video game genres, and use a

game development application to begin your journey of making games. 

One month, Jean Haefner, instructor.


Agenda


Unit 1

A brief history of Video Game Development

- Arcades & Consoles

- From PCs to Multiplayer

- Play a Game -Game Analysis

- Game Maker Introduction


Unit 2

Player Motivation 

- Geographics, demographics, and psychographics 

- Who Plays 

- Why We Play

- Game Maker Making Art: About Sprites, Objects, Rooms


Unit 3

Platforms, Genres and Story Elements

- Game Application: The Audience

- Platforms & Player Modes

- Story Elements: Premise, Backstory, Synopsis, Theme, & Setting

- Character Archetypes & Character Development

- Game Maker: Programming Events & Actions


Unit 4

The Production Process

- Documentation: The Game Design Doc

- Creating the Team

- Production Phases

- Marketing

- Game Maker: Your First Game


 Question MarkAbout online learning

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends. It’s easy. It’s fun.

GearsHow the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom. You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

CalendarParticipate when you want

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

ChecklistWhat you will do

For each Unit, you will:

  • Read the print readings (about 20 pages a week)

  • Have the option of accessing the online readings

  • Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides

  • Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned

  • Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each week.
The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

Next offering(s):

Intermediate Video Game Design
March 3 - 28, 2025
May 5 - 30, 2025
July 7 - August 1, 2025
October 6 - 31, 2025

Introduction to Game Design
February 3 - 28, 2025
April 7 - May 2, 2025
June 2 - 27, 2025
September 2 - 26, 2025

$395.0000 USD
$245 USD
 
Ave. hours 16, 1.6 CEUs/ILUs
About Your Instructor



Jean Haefner holds degrees in Graphic Design and Photography, and a MFA in Web Designand Interactive Media; MS Haefner has taught in these areas, and worked professionally as a Content Artist, Web Designer, and Online Course Developer for over 20 years. More recently, she helped to develop the award winning interdisciplinary Game Design and Development program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and provided instruction in art and design for games there. She currently works at UW-Madison.


Course Objectives

The course objectives are to enable the participant to:

1.Demonstrate a basic understanding of game design 

2.Acquire simple game programming ability 

3.Exhibit basic knowledge of visual art production processes


Course Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

1.Analyze popular games from common genres, and develop an independent analysis of a specific game.

2.Demonstrate a basic knowledge of a game design document for games.

3.Advance an effective understanding of the various segments of the game development industry.
Completion Requirements