What is game programming?

Game programming is writing the code that makes video games work. It's a part of the broader field of video game development, and it is, more specifically, the development of video game software. Game programming is based heavily on mathematics and programming logic, and it often includes specific programming languages, such as C Sharp. It also includes digital art, planning game concepts, and sound design to create gaming experiences that keep users playing and sharing games.

What opportunities will learning game programming make available to me?

Some opportunities that learning game programming can make available to you are working on a team with other programming professionals and artists to develop video game designs. This type of work is both highly analytical and extremely creative, so you could gain the chance to use both imagination and logic as part of your work if you go into the field of video game development. You may also find the experience of learning about game programming interesting and exciting.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn game programming?

Taking online courses on Coursera can help you learn game programming by covering the range of information from basic, beginner level programming through intermediate-level skills, such as using Python to create a game, and advanced courses such as more complex game development on PyGame. Select the courses on Coursera that complement your programming skill level, and then move through the courses at your own pace while developing a portfolio of your hands-on work.

How do I know if learning game programming is right for me?

To know if learning game programming is right for you, consider whether you enjoy exploring and discovering new ways to solve recurring problems and if you have strong mathematical skills or are willing to work on learning advanced math. It helps to be passionate about technology and driven to understand why things work the way they do. You also ideally need to be self-motivated, a person who takes initiative, and comfortable with linear thinking because game programming requires solving a lot of logic problems. Even though a team is typically involved in the creation of a game, game programmers spend most of their time alone and deep in thought, so it may also help if you're a person who is comfortable with a lot of quiet time for deep thinking.

What are the benefits of taking an online Game Programming course?

Online Game Programming courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Game Programming skills. Choose from a wide range of Game Programming courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Game Programming courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Game Programming, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Game Programming Courses - Learn Game Programming Online

Explore the Game Programming Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Fundamentals of Java Programming
Skills you'll gain: Eclipse (Software), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java Programming, Object Oriented Design, Software Development Tools, Java, Integrated Development Environments, Development Environment, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Virtual Machines
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
511 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Santa Cruz
Coding for Everyone: C and C++
Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Debugging, C (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Design Patterns, Code Review, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Algorithms, Command-Line Interface, Programming Principles, Program Development, Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Integrated Development Environments, Graph Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Software Technical Review, File Systems, Game Design
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
9.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
SAS
SAS Programmer
Skills you'll gain: Data Manipulation, SAS (Software), Data Access, Data Import/Export, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis, Consolidation, Data Transformation, Requirements Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Validation, Statistical Programming, Statistical Analysis, Data Processing, SQL, Data Presentation, Data Cleansing, Descriptive Statistics, Debugging
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Introduction to Programming with MATLAB
Skills you'll gain: Matlab, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, UI Components, Software Design, Debugging, Mathematical Software, Development Environment, Computer Science, File Management, Algorithms, Data Import/Export, Data Structures, Engineering Calculations, Plot (Graphics), Data Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Santa Cruz
C for Everyone: Programming Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, C (Programming Language), Code Review, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Program Development, Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Integrated Development Environments, Software Technical Review, Algorithms
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Introduction to Game Design
Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Storytelling, Design, Design Elements And Principles, Creativity, Peer Review
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Stanford University
Greedy Algorithms, Minimum Spanning Trees, and Dynamic Programming
Skills you'll gain: Algorithms, Bioinformatics, Graph Theory, Computational Thinking, Data Structures, Theoretical Computer Science
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Multiple educators
Data Science Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Pseudocode, Jupyter, Algorithms, Data Literacy, Data Mining, Pandas (Python Package), Data Visualization Software, Correlation Analysis, Web Scraping, NumPy, Python Programming, Probability & Statistics, Data Structures, Predictive Modeling, Big Data, Computer Programming Tools, Data Analysis Software, Machine Learning Algorithms, Unsupervised Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
113K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Java, Algorithms, Statistical Analysis, Software Design, Computer Programming, Integrated Development Environments, Data Processing, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis, Software Testing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Python Programming Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Debugging, Git (Version Control System), Unit Testing, Data Structures, Python Programming, Software Testing, Programming Principles, Scripting, Computer Programming, Web Development, Algorithms, Program Development, Development Environment, Scripting Languages, Integrated Development Environments, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Jupyter
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
202 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Stanford University
Game Theory II: Advanced Applications
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Bidding, Social Sciences, Resource Allocation, Political Sciences, Economics, Behavioral Economics, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Probability & Statistics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
642 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Washington
Programming Languages, Part A
Skills you'll gain: Software Installation, Programming Principles, Other Programming Languages, Functional Design, Ruby (Programming Language), Software Design Patterns, Computational Thinking
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months