• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
Log In
Join for Free
Coursera
  • Browse
  • Video Games

Video Games Courses Online

Explore video game design and development. Learn about game mechanics, storytelling, and programming for creating engaging games.

Skip to search results

Filter by

Subject
Required
 *

Language
Required
 *

The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

Learning Product
Required
 *

Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.
Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.

Level
Required
 *

Duration
Required
 *

Skills
Required
 *

Subtitles
Required
 *

Educator
Required
 *

Explore the Video Games Course Catalog

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    E

    Epic Games

    Epic Games Game Design

    Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, Animation and Game Design, Ideation, 3D Modeling, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Software Documentation, Software Design Documents, 3D Assets, User Experience Design, Computer Graphics, Usability, User Interface (UI), User Experience, User Interface (UI) Design, Interactive Design, Virtual Environment, Version Control, Prototyping

    4.3
    Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
    ·
    518 reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Michigan State University

    Game Design and Development with Unity

    Skills you'll gain: Unity Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, Prototyping, 3D Modeling, Software Design Documents, Peer Review, Cross Platform Development, C# (Programming Language), User Interface (UI), 3D Assets, Software Design, Storytelling, Software Documentation, User Experience Design, Animation and Game Design, Conceptual Design, Computer Graphics, Ideation, Multimedia

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    637 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    E

    EDUCBA

    Unreal Engine: Master Interactive FX & Game Design

    Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Video Game Development, Unreal Engine, Animation and Game Design, Virtual Environment, Computer Graphics, 3D Assets, Scripting, User Interface (UI), Data Structures, Performance Tuning

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    E

    Epic Games

    Introduction to Game Design

    Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Video Game Development, Software Design Documents, Ideation, Software Documentation, Animation and Game Design, Interactive Design, Conceptual Design, Design Strategies, User Experience Design, Prototyping, Presentations, Creativity, Collaborative Software, Target Market

    4.3
    Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
    ·
    436 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    C

    California Institute of the Arts

    Story and Narrative Development for Video Games

    Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Video Game Development, Storytelling, Software Design Documents, Ideation, Storyboarding, Writing, Creativity

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.3K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    C

    California Institute of the Arts

    Character Design for Video Games

    Skills you'll gain: Animation and Game Design, Animations, Game Design, Video Game Development, Design, Technical Design, Conceptual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Creative Design, Storytelling

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Michigan State University

    Pixel Art for Video Games

    Skills you'll gain: Animations, Animation and Game Design, Unity Engine, Color Theory, Video Game Development, Adobe Photoshop, Game Design, Computer Graphics, Graphic and Visual Design, Creativity

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    268 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    I

    Illinois Tech

    History of Video Games

    Skills you'll gain: Video Game Development, Game Design, Art History, Music History, Animation and Game Design, Computer Graphics, Culture, Electronic Media, Policy Analysis, Public Policies, Interactive Design, Cultural Diversity, Storytelling, Innovation

    Build toward a degree

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of California, Irvine

    Esports

    Skills you'll gain: Peer Review, Video Game Development, Media Strategy, Contract Negotiation, Media and Communications, Branding, Organizational Structure, Organizational Strategy, Brand Management, Business Planning, Game Design, Recruitment, Fundraising, Live Streaming, Higher Education, Workforce Planning, Content Creation, Relationship Building, Market Dynamics, Research

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    266 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Michigan State University

    Low Poly Art For Video Games

    Skills you'll gain: Unity Engine, 3D Modeling, Color Theory, Animation and Game Design, Game Design, Autodesk Maya, Video Game Development, Computer Graphics, Adobe Photoshop

    4.3
    Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
    ·
    71 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    C

    California Institute of the Arts

    World Design for Video Games

    Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Conceptual Design, Animation and Game Design, Virtual Environment, Art History, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Design Strategies, Aesthetics, Design Research, Creativity

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    819 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    S

    Skillshare

    Design a 3D Video Game in Unreal Engine

    Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Animations, Animation and Game Design, Virtual Environment, Game Design, 3D Modeling, 3D Assets, Motion Graphics, Video Game Development, Timelines, Prototyping, Data Import/Export, Creativity, User Interface (UI), Interactive Design

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Video Games learners also search

Design
Graphic Design
Beginner Graphic Design
Graphic Design Projects
Advanced Graphic Design
Design Projects
3D Design
Communication Design
1234…165

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular video games courses

  • Epic Games Game Design: Epic Games
  • Game Design and Development with Unity: Michigan State University
  • Unreal Engine: Master Interactive FX & Game Design: EDUCBA
  • Introduction to Game Design: Epic Games
  • Story and Narrative Development for Video Games: California Institute of the Arts
  • Character Design for Video Games: California Institute of the Arts
  • Pixel Art for Video Games: Michigan State University
  • History of Video Games: Illinois Tech
  • Esports: University of California, Irvine
  • Low Poly Art For Video Games: Michigan State University

Frequently Asked Questions about Video Games

Video games are electronic games played on computer systems, such as dedicated consoles, personal computers, or mobile phones. Often featuring elements of challenge, strategy, exploration, and entertainment, video games encompass many different genres, like action-adventure, platformers, shooters, and role-playing games (RPGs), that often (but not always) share certain game mechanics. As a result, while some video games may focus purely on gameplay, others may also pay particular attention to storytelling and worldbuilding.

The wide range of player interests and preferences catered to by video games has made them a popular – and lucrative – form of art and entertainment. According to research from Statista, the worldwide revenue for video games is projected to reach a whopping $626.78 billion by 2028, or nearly three times its 2018 valuation 1. This suggests that demand for video games and the professionals capable of designing them will continue to grow in the coming years.

1 Statista. “Video game market revenue worldwide from 2018 to 2028.” Accessed December 12, 2023.‎

Online video game courses can help you build the skills to create your own video game or join the industry. Offered by top universities like the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) and Michigan State University, Coursera’s flexible, online video game courses and specializations offer a chance for you to build job-relevant skills at your own pace and cost-effectively. ‎

The exact skills you’ll need for a career in the video game industry will vary based on the precise position you’re hoping to land. For example, while video game writers need a strong grasp of storytelling, game developers need a thorough understanding of programming in game engines. Regardless of your role, though, here are some of the skills that you might consider building:

  • Game design: Understanding of game mechanics, gameplay elements, level design, and user experience principles.
  • Programming: Proficiency in programming languages like C++, C#, and Java.
  • Game engines: Familiarity with game development engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.
  • 2D and 3D art: Skills in digital art creation, including character design, environmental modeling, texture, animation, and visual effects.
  • Audio design: Knowledge of sound editing, music composition, and audio integration technique.
  • Gameplay testing: Ability to perform playtesting, identify bugs or issues, and provide feedback for game improvement.
  • Player experience: Awareness of player preferences, market trends, and the ability to create engaging, rewarding game experiences. ‎

Video games are a multi-faceted medium that encompasses many different subjects. As a result, there are various topics that you can study to enhance your skills and knowledge of video games, including game design, sound design, visual art, graphic design, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, storytelling, programming languages, and 3D visual effects (VFX), among other things.

You can explore many of these topics and more on Coursera’s catalog of online courses, Specializations, and guided projects. ‎

The video game industry employs many different types of people who hold a wide range of positions. Whether you want to design characters, program gameplay elements, or craft interactive narratives, there’s likely a job for you in the game industry. At a glance, here are just some of the jobs you might consider pursuing:

• Gameplay designer • Game writer • Level designer • User experience (UX) designer • 3D modeling artist • Concept artist • Environment artist • Animator • Sound designer • Engine programmer • Gameplay programmer • Game tester

Read more: What Is a Game Developer (and How Do I Become One)?‎

The pay range for video game professionals can vary considerably from one job to another. According to Glassdoor, for example, the average salary of a game developer in the United States is $90,160 a year as of December 2023 2. Meanwhile, the average salary for a 3D modeling artist is $61,930 a year as of December 2023 3. Ultimately, the precise pay you can expect to earn will vary based not only on your position, but also on your experience level, qualifications, and geographic location. ‎

If you’re interested in joining the video game industry, you might consider pursuing a career as a video game developer. In addition to earning a higher-than-average salary – $90,160 a year, according to Glassdoor (Dec. 2023) 2 – as videogame develop you’ll also get the opportunity to build video games from scratch, collaborate with like-minded professionals, and craft engaging experiences for players around the world. ‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Other topics to explore

Arts and Humanities
338 courses
Business
1095 courses
Computer Science
668 courses
Data Science
425 courses
Information Technology
145 courses
Health
471 courses
Math and Logic
70 courses
Personal Development
137 courses
Physical Science and Engineering
413 courses
Social Sciences
401 courses
Language Learning
150 courses

Coursera Footer

Skills

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Marketing
  • English Speaking
  • Generative AI (GenAI)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • Project Management
  • Python

Certificates & Programs

  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate
  • Google Data Analytics Certificate
  • Google IT Support Certificate
  • Google Project Management Certificate
  • Google UX Design Certificate
  • IBM Data Analyst Certificate
  • IBM Data Science Certificate
  • Machine Learning Certificate
  • Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Certificate
  • UI / UX Design Certificate

Industries & Careers

  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Education & Teaching
  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Marketing

Career Resources

  • Career Aptitude Test
  • Examples of Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews
  • High-Income Skills to Learn
  • How Does Cryptocurrency Work?
  • How to Highlight Duplicates in Google Sheets
  • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
  • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
  • Preparing for the PMP Certification
  • Signs You Will Get the Job After an Interview
  • What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Coursera

  • About
  • What We Offer
  • Leadership
  • Careers
  • Catalog
  • Coursera Plus
  • Professional Certificates
  • MasterTrack® Certificates
  • Degrees
  • For Enterprise
  • For Government
  • For Campus
  • Become a Partner
  • Social Impact
  • Free Courses
  • Share your Coursera learning story

Community

  • Learners
  • Partners
  • Beta Testers
  • Blog
  • The Coursera Podcast
  • Tech Blog

More

  • Press
  • Investors
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Accessibility
  • Contact
  • Articles
  • Directory
  • Affiliates
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Manage Cookie Preferences
Learn Anywhere
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Logo of Certified B Corporation
© 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Coursera Facebook
  • Coursera Linkedin
  • Coursera Twitter
  • Coursera YouTube
  • Coursera Instagram
  • Coursera TikTok