Want to build your first game but don't know where to start? Read our step-by-step guide to video game design, from core hook to the magic of "game feel."
Learn why top game designers focus on systems rather than just "fun." Discover how to harness Cognitive Surplus to turn players into problem solvers.
Not another random generator.
This one thinks like a game designer:
• Worlds
• Gameplay verbs
• Tone & audience
• Visual direction
Here’s a sneak peek 👇
#GameDesign #WorldGenerator
Serious game design is changing how we solve problems. These games are fun but also teach important lessons. Our masterclass will show you how to make these games and use them to tackle real-world issues.
Understand the history and evolution of serious game design.
Learn the key principles for balancing fun and educational value in game design.
Discover the various applications of serious games in industries like healthcare, corporate training, and education.
Grasp the importance of playtesting and iteration in creating effective games.
In 2012 I set out to teach the secrets I had learned, of Serious Game Design. Since then thousands of students have taken my Basic Game Design Course online so far. Since I launched it 6 years ago, I have had lots of great feedback about how it helped inspire and change people's lives. This makes me so excited to announce the following news.
When we look at the Concentric Game Design Method taught in the Basic Game Design Course, we see clear divisions of the layers, making them interchangeable. The core elements of the concentric model are Goals, Rules (Mechanics), Declarative Layer (Narrative), and Social Layer. Many of these layers can be changed around, like a new wrapping of an onion.
The world is full of broken systems (education, health, finance) that are filled with anxiety or boredom. Game designers have the tools to fix them.
Do you want to tell a story, or let the player build one? We compare Narrative (scripted) design with Declarative (emergent) design and show you how to choose the right path for your project.
Want to see what a professional game blueprint looks like? Analyze three legendary real-world Game Design Document (GDD) examples.
How do AAA studios like Rockstar or Nintendo document their games compared to a solo indie dev? Learn the difference and find the right style for your project.
Can you become a game designer without spending thousands on a college degree? Yes. Read our step-by-step roadmap to self-taught game design mastery in 2026.