Enrolling in an online game development course could be your first step toward landing a job in the game development industry. Yet, have you thought of every aspect you’ll need and ought to hone in order to succeed as a game developer? How about choosing the game engine you should master and the course that can do it for you with ease?
Both the gaming industry and people’s enthusiasm for it are growing fast on a global scale. With the introduction of cloud gaming services and the entry of large corporations with their own gaming platforms, becoming a game developer has a bright future.
Game development requires someone with strong creative and technical skills, as well as the ability to be patient and consistent in their work. Game developer typically has a very relaxed work structure that allows them to contribute their ideas and skills at their own pace.
Keep reading to learn about the top 12 online game development courses that can stoke your enthusiasm and land you your dream job.
Top Online Game Development Courses in 2023
We have done our research and have compiled a list of the best online game development courses, including pros and cons, certificate status, and costs, so that you get a complete understanding of the course you choose.
While we’ll cover 12 courses, here are our top 3 picks for the best online game development course.
1. Pixel Art Master Course Part 1 (Skillshare)
Learning Pixel Art can help you create a distinct retro aesthetic for your games. Pixel Art can be found in some of the oldest arcade games, such as Space Invasion. This Pixel Art Master Course from Skillshare is ideal if you are a complete beginner looking for an instructor who provides excellent explanations suitable for armatures.
This course is part of a three-course series taught by Mislav, a game artist with years of experience specializing in Pixel Art. Parts 2 and 3 consist of game perspectives, including basic and intermediate shading. This course also comes with exercises for each topic for you to try and learn.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Photoshop basics.
- Introduction to lines and shapes.
- Study on shading and lightning.
- Introduction to colors and textures.
- Principle of creating objects from geometric shapes.
- Study on creating pixel characters of different dimensions.
- Introduction to animation and working with pixel characters.
Who should take this course? This course is suitable for beginners who want to master Pixel art for game development.
Paid course: Yes
Time to complete: 5 hours 11 minutes
Prerequisites required: No
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: N/A
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| Excellent reviews | No certificate of completion |
| The ideal bundle for learning Pixel Art. |
2. Unreal Engine 5 C++ Developer (Udemy)
Unreal Engine is an advanced and versatile gaming engine that has been used to generate some of the world’s popular games. With the release of Unreal Engine 5, game developers now have access to powerful tools to create incredible and exciting games. This course from Udemy will teach you to develop games in Ureal 5 with C++, which is the industry’s standard game language.
This Udemy bestselling course was prepared by Ben Tristem (founder of GameDev.Tv), the GameDev.Tv Team, and Stephan Ulibbari (game developer and author), all of whom have extensive experience in game creation and educating dedicated developers to reach their goals.
With the combination of video lectures, hands-on projects, and practical exercises, this course will take you from a beginner to being able to make your own games using Unreal 5 and C++.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Setting up and making games in Unreal 5
- Object Oriented programming and practice.
- Writing clean code and using C++ in Unreal.
- Game design principles.
- Artificial Intelligence behavior programming for enemies.
- When to use Blueprint or C++.
- Modern game development technologies or techniques.
Who should take this course? This course is suitable for beginners, artists, and developers who want to update their Unreal 5 game development skills or learn them from the start.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: 29 hours 39 minutes
Prerequisites required: 64-bit PC capable of running Unreal 5 or a Mac running the latest MacOS Big Sur
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: 4.7/5
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| Availability of certificate. | Too many prerequisites are needed. |
| Deep study on C++ and Unreal 5. |
3. Create Video Games with Phaser.js (Codecademy)
If you are a beginner and want to learn to develop and design your own game by coding in JavaScript and using the Phaser.js library to add visual effects to your game, then this is the course for you.
You’ll master the basics of game development with Phaser.js, such as game design, graphics, audio, and user interaction. You’ll also learn how to add special effects and animations to your games, as well as how to incorporate game elements like physics, collision detection, and artificial intelligence.
By the end of this course, you will have developed 3 games and earned all of the necessary practical experience. You will also receive step-by-step instructions to ensure that you do not encounter any difficulties while learning.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- JavaScript basics
- JavaScript: Function and scope
- JavaScript: Arrays and loops
- JavaScript: Higher-order functions and iterators
- JavaScript: Objects
- Phaser basics and physics
- JavaScript classes and Phaser animations
- Phaser visual effects and Capstone
Who should take this course? This course is for anyone who wants to develop and design their own game, get started with JavaScript, and learn Phaser.js.
Paid course: Yes
Time to complete: 6 weeks
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: N/A
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| Availability of certificate. | You should purchase a Pro membership. |
| Practical projects. |
Did you like our top 3 choices? These courses were chosen based on the hot topics they covered. Let us look at the remaining courses, which are not less than our top three picks!
4. Introduction to Game Design (Coursera)
This Coursera short course is an excellent introduction to game design for beginners. This is the first of 5 courses on Coursera (Game Design: Art and Concept Specialisation). This is a more theoretical course in which you will learn the fundamentals of gaming, how players interact with games, and how to use all of this to create a wonderful game that will make a name for itself in the gaming industry.
This course is taught by Fran Krause at the California Institute of the Arts. You will be given assignments that require only a pencil and paper to complete.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Video game designing.
- Video game development.
- Gameplay.
Who should take this course? This course is for beginners who want to start game designing and development.
Paid Course: No
Time to complete: 6 hours
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: 4.9/5
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| Availability of certificate. | You should pay for the certificate. |
| Excellent reviews and ratings. |
5. Complete C# Unity Game Developer 2D (Udemy)
This is one of Udemy’s most popular and viewed game development courses. You will learn C# from the ground up and gain a good understanding of game design and development, which will allow you to create your own games. As a project, you will be given a playable game that you may add to your portfolio.
You will be provided with 7 downloadable resources, and by the end of the course, you will be able to master C# for game design and development and also be a part of a supporting gaming community.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Delivery Driver (New Unity 2021.1 Content)
- Snow Boarder (New Unity 2021.1 Content)
- Quiz Master (New Unity 2021.1 Content)
- TileVania (New Unity 2021.1 Content)
- Laser Defender
- How to continue the game development journey.
Who should take this course? This course was created for beginners who want to learn C# from the ground up, as well as artists and developers who want to brush up on their abilities.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: 18 hours 17 minutes
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: 4.7/5
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| Availability of certificate. | Doesn’t cover performance optimization and physics engine modifications. |
| Excellent reviews and ratings. |
6. Computer Science for Game Development (edX)
This professional course from edX is given by Harvard University and might look fantastic on your resume. This is one of Harvard’s most popular undergraduate courses.
The first section of this course will introduce you to common programming languages, providing you with a solid basis for building and designing your own game. The course’s second section will teach you the principles of game programming. To learn how games are developed, you will examine the designs of classic games such as Angry Birds and Portal. You will be provided with hands-on projects and practical experience.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Study Computer Science, programming, and software development.
- Concepts like abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development
- Familiarity with a number of languages, including C, Python, JavaScript, SQL, CSS, and HTML
- Principles of 2D and 3D graphics, animation, sound, and collision detection
- Unity and LÖVE 2D, plus Lua and C#
- The fundamentals of game design and development
Who should take this course? This course was designed for beginners who wish to learn everything there is to know about game design and development.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: 6 months
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: N/A
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| Availability of certificate. | The enrollment fee is higher than average. |
| Resume game changer |
7. Learn Game Development from A to Z (Unity Learn)
This course is the result of Unity Learn collaborating with Pluralsight to create a comprehensive course that teaches you the fundamental skills required to create a Unity game. You will gain practical experience writing scripts, moving objects, and applying to light.
Because many developers rely on third-party assets, this course will also teach you how to use digital content development programs such as Maya and Photoshop, as well as equip you with stunning art to add wonderful visual elements to your own game. You can also choose your specialism within this course.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Unity fundamentals
- Learn Maya and ZBrush
- Programming of important game features
- Game design
Who should take this course? This course was designed for anyone who wants to develop a game in Unity and also explore specialized tracks in art, game design, or programming.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: Self-paced
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: N/A
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| All the essential topics of game development are covered. | The unavailability of a certificate |
| Study on third-party assets. | Beginners may find this course difficult. |
8. Create your First Game with Python (Coursera)
This course is for you if you know Python and want to become a game developer. This is a project-based course that will teach you the fundamentals of game programming in Python using the PyGame modules.
This course will walk you through essentials, including constructing a game loop, picture display and manipulation, event handling, and writing game logic through hands-on experience. You will also use the techniques to develop your first Python and PyGame game.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Initialization and Game loop
- Images, Blit and Flip
- Animal class
- Displaying animal images
- Handling events
- Displaying recent images
- Finishing touches
Who should take this course? This course is designed for students who want to get started with Python game development and have some prior programming experience in the Python programming language.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: Self-paced
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: 4.5/5
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| Excellent reviews | The unavailability of a certificate |
| Important topics are covered in a short time. | A student must have prior programming knowledge in Python. |
9. Learn from Will Wright (Masterclass)
In this MasterClass game design course, you will learn from Will Wright, who is the brain behind the iconic games SimCity and The Sims. This game design course will teach you how to make games that empower players and let their imaginations run wild.
You’ll build a toolkit for understanding player psychology, as well as learn Will’s approach to idea generation and pitching, prototyping, playtesting, and community building.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Fundamentals of game design
- Generating game concepts and early prototyping
- Exploring player psychology
- Developing a game language
- Designing visual aesthetic
- Game mechanics
- Game demo
- System design
Who should take this course? This course is designed for students who want to learn game design from an experienced expert.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: 4 hours 16 minutes
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: N/A
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| Downloadable classes | The unavailability of a certificate |
| Experienced instructor |
10. Zero to Hero in C++ (Educative)
Strong programming expertise can be a valuable tool when starting out as a game developer. Because C++ is the most used programming language in the game industry, this course provides in-depth coverage of it.
You will begin by learning the fundamental syntax and functionality of C++ in order to write simple software. In the second half of this course, you will learn how to use object-oriented programming to write scalable, modular, and cleaner code. Finally, you will gain practical expertise with commonly used algorithms and data structures.
By the end of this course, you will be confident in writing real-world C++ programs and will have begun your career as a C++ developer.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Fundamentals of C++
- C++ Deep Dive
- Object-oriented programming in C++
- Data Structures
Who should take this course? This course is designed for anyone who wants to make their programming background strong.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: Self-paced
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: N/A
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| The certificate is awarded. | Students with no prior programming experience may find this course challenging. |
| A lot of practical exercises |
11. Become a Game Designer (Udemy)
This course covers all of the most recent technology and approaches utilized in game design in today’s market. You will master beginner to expert-level techniques in 3D game creation (Unity), computer animation, digital painting, and programming throughout this long training series.
You will also receive thorough training in applications like Unity, Maya, 3DS Max, Mudbox, and Photoshop. The projects are given with the intention of taking the fear out of learning such advanced software as Unity3D.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Getting started with Arcade Studio and Unity
- Learn C# with Unity
- Unity game development essentials
- Unity 3D game kit
- Unity 2D game kit
- Racing with physics
- Character controller and Animator system
Who should take this course? This course is designed for anyone who wants to design, develop, and publish their own game.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: 85 hours
Prerequisites required: Basic computer skills
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: 4.4/5
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| The certificate is awarded. | Ratings are less than 4.5 |
| Lifetime access |
12. Unreal Engine 5: Blueprint Scripting 101 (Skillshare)
This Skillshare course is taught by an experienced game designer and educator, Greg Wondra, who ensures that this course is suited for a total beginner, even someone as young as 12 years old.
You will study the fundamental concepts, skills, and techniques required to master Blueprint Scripting, the visual, node-based approach for generating functional gameplay in the Unreal Engine. By the end of this course, you will have completed a hands-on project in which you will create your own Blueprint script. This course is pro in addressing all of the essential topics in a short amount of time.
Topics Covered in Brief:
- Create and use Events, Functions, Macros, and Variables.
- Creating Different Types of Blueprints
- Compiling and debugging Blueprints
- Creating useful scripts
Who should take this course? This course is perfect for a beginner to learn Blueprint scripting.
Paid Course: Yes
Time to complete: 20 hours 48 minutes
Prerequisites required: None
Flexible schedule: Yes
Ratings: N/A
| What we like | What we don’t like |
|---|---|
| This course offers a deep study of Blueprint scripting. | The unavailability of the certificate. |
| Experienced instructor. |
Wrapping up!
So, after reviewing the top 2023 onlinegame development courses, we can state that each course offers something unique and enriching to a learner. Just make sure you understand your priorities.
Do you prefer to be creative and design amazing games, or are you more interested in coding and other technical parts of game development? You can determine which course is best for you by responding to this question.
Tell us in the comments the course you intend to take and why! We recommend taking more than one course if you want to diversify your portfolio.
Remember that success might come at any time!
