Getting Started in Game Development: Top 7 Online Courses to Try

Are you interested in becoming a game developer? If the answer is yes, the reasons for this can be many. Game development is a fast-growing field that can give one a solid salary, great career perspectives, and a chance to work on creative and fun projects. The opportunity surely sounds tempting, and the only problem is that studying for game development is believed to be expensive and to take plenty of time if you go to college. But what if we tell you that there is a different, easier path?

Suppose you are already working in a different industry or studying a different major. In that case, your desire to pursue a career in game development doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to start everything from the very beginning. Today, anyone can master this profession even without leaving their homes.

In the list below, an expert writer from DoMyEssay with a degree in game development shares the top seven great online courses that you can take right now to master the art of game development.

1. Create Video Games With Phaser.js

The first course on our list is available for free at Codeacademy. The time commitment required by this course is six weeks, after which you will graduate with a certificate and three completed projects. This option is perfect for beginners because it takes you through all the basics of coding with JavaScript and working with the Phaser.js library.

2. C# Programming – Unity Game Development Certification

The next course is offered by the University of Colorado and is also free. However, compared to the previous option, this course takes much more time to complete (approximately 7 months), so if you want to combine it with full-time studies, you might need a professional paper writing service to delegate your assignments and save some time. If you don’t know where to find a reliable one, start by checking out this EssayService review. At the end of this course, you will have a valid certificate and all the skills needed to create great Unity games.

3. Computer Science for Game Development

The next awesome online course for beginner game developers is available on edX. Unlike previous options, this course is paid and costs $300+. But it’s worth this price. The full program consists of two courses that take about 6 months to complete. You will build a thorough understanding of programming, computer science, and software development during this time. It is one of the best options for beginners who want to grasp the basics and start feeling comfortable in game development.

4. Create Your First Game With Python

If you don’t feel like wasting weeks listening to boring lectures and want to get straight to practice, this next course is for you! Create Your First Game With Python is a project-based course that you can purchase for $9.99 on Coursera. During the two-hour course, you will learn the basics of game development with Python and, at the same time, will implement your first real project. This is a perfect opportunity for those who learn better through hands-on experience.

5. CS50’s Introduction to Game Development

Have you ever wanted to learn game development from the best professor who teaches at a reputable school? This dream can come true with this great course provided by Harvard University. The course is available free of charge across multiple online learning platforms. For additional pay, students can also get a certificate after completing this course. This course will give you top-quality instruction and a chance to get a thorough introduction to game development.

6. Introduction to Game Design

This course will be a great starting point for those of you who want to design games rather than code them. Available on Coursera for free, this course will take you through all the basic rules, concepts, and trends in game design in just 10 hours. And you will also get a certificate! So, if you are a beginner who wants to master the art of game design, be sure to check it out.

7. Game Design and Development Specialization

The last one on our list, Game Design and Development Specialization, is not a course but a full-fledged specialization that will take you from zero to hero in game development. The specialization is available on Coursera and is free of charge. It consists of five courses and one capstone project that together take about 5 months to complete. This specialization offers a perfect blend of theoretical and practical foundations of game development. It covers a huge array of topics, so it’s definitely worth your attention!

The Bottom Line

If you want to secure yourself a high-paying, creative, fast-growing, and exciting job, then game development might be the right choice for you. A career in game development can sound like a dream for many of you. But could you ever imagine that getting into this field could be so easy?

After reading this article, you know that anyone can learn game development quickly, easily, and even without leaving the comfort of their own home. The courses we shared with you here can help you with this. So, don’t wait any longer. Pick the option that suits you best and follow your dream!