Press Start on Your Game Dev Journey with These Free Learning Platforms.
Growing up I was a HUGE fan of gaming and playing games.
From the days of the original Nintendo and Super Mario to unleashing my creativity in games like The SIMs, I've always been amazed by the art and clever ideas that go into making video games.
The countless hours I've spent immersed in rich virtual worlds always made me wonder - could I build my own?
While becoming a professional game developer takes dedication and skill, anyone can start learning the basics of game design and creation through free online resources.
With the right tools and community support, you'd be surprised how much you can create.
This guide will provide the perfect starting point into the world of game development for aspiring creators.
I'll share the best free resources about game engines, modelling tools, courses, and communities to turn your gaming passion into a foundation for building the next hit indie title.
Whether you want to learn coding, make 3D art assets, design mechanics, or collaborate on projects, these resources will level up your skills.
But first, let’s get some background…
What is Game Development?
Game development is the process of creating interactive digital entertainment experiences. It brings together a range of creative and technical disciplines, including programming, art and asset creation, game design, writing, and project management.
Game developers work in teams, with each member contributing their skills. Programmers code the underlying logic and systems. Artists create visual assets like 3D models, textures, and animations.
Game designers plan gameplay mechanics, levels, and the overall concept. Writers develop narratives, characters, and dialogue. Producers oversee the budget, schedule, and team coordination.
The end goal is to craft engaging, immersive game worlds players can explore. Popular genres include action, adventure, roleplaying, strategy and more. Game development allows creators to merge technology with storytelling and art.
Game Development Tools and Technologies
Modern game engines provide integrated development environments for building games. Popular options like Unity and Unreal Engine offer visual editors to arrange 3D scenes and program behaviours without needing to code everything from scratch.
Unity uses C# programming, while Unreal uses C++. Both work across platforms like mobile, console, PC, and websites. Other tools assist with 3D modelling, 2D art, animation, visual effects, audio, and more. Open-source solutions like Godot and Blender allow getting started for free.
Now let's explore the best free learning resources to start getting some game development skills today:
#1 - Codecademy
Codecademy's Introduction to Game Development course offers a foundational understanding of video game development, covering essential aspects like game design, gameplay mechanics, and asset creation.
You will learn how to transform a game idea into a comprehensive design suitable for developers, explore the details of engaging gameplay, including mechanics, AI, and user experience, and explore the creation of immersive game worlds using art and sound assets.
Additionally, the course provides insights into key tools used in game development, such as various programming languages and game engines.
#2 - Harvard University
The CS50's Introduction to Game Development course by Harvard University provides hands-on experience in developing both 2D and 3D interactive games. It includes an analysis of popular games such as Super Mario Bros., Pokémon, and Angry Birds. The course covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Principles of 2D and 3D graphics, animation, sound, and collision detection.
- Utilisation of Unity and LÖVE 2D frameworks.
- Programming with languages like Lua and C#.
- Fundamental concepts of game design and development.
You will engage in practical projects and lectures, exploring the mechanics behind well-known games like Pong, Flappy Bird, and Portal. By the end of the course, you’ll have created several games, gaining a good understanding of game design and development essentials.
#3 - Unity Learn
Unity Learn is an awesome platform for learning game and real-time 3D technology development, with over 750 hours of free content suitable for learners at all levels.
The platform is designed to be interactive and user-friendly, allowing you to track your progress, earn experience points (XP), and access personalised recommendations.
The platform features various learning pathways, each targeting different aspects of game development and technology. These pathways range from foundational courses for beginners, like Unity Essentials and Junior Programmer, to more specialised tracks focusing on VR and Mobile AR Development.
These guided experiences are designed to give you the necessary skills for a career in the gaming and tech industry, regardless of your starting point.
Unity Learn's structured approach combines theoretical knowledge with practical projects, ensuring a fun and engaging learning experience.
#4 - Zenva
Zenva's guide is designed to assist you in taking your first steps towards learning coding, particularly if you’re aspiring to work on game development projects.
The guide includes a variety of topics important for beginners. It starts with an introduction to coding and then guides you through the process of choosing a game engine, crucial for game development.
It also covers the essential stages of creating a game, from conceptualising the idea to its practical implementation. Additionally, the guide emphasises the importance of understanding coding fundamentals and provides a list of learning resources.
Zenva also provides free courses for game development, including Unity 101 for Game Development and C# Foundations, JavaScript 101 for first programming steps, Phaser 101 as an introduction to game development, and Python 101 for a basic understanding of programming.
These courses are designed to give you a solid foundation in both coding and game development.
#5 - Udemy
Udemy offers a variety of free game development courses if you’re interested in different aspects of game creation.
These courses are for a range of skill levels, from beginners to intermediate learners, and cover various programming languages and game development tools.
You can start with fundamental courses like "Code Your First Game: Arcade Classic in JavaScript on Canvas" which requires no special software, offering a simple start with a text editor and a web browser.
Or if you’re interested in popular game engines, courses on Unity, like "Introduction to Game Development with Unity" and "Unity 3D - Create a Reusable UI System," provide practical insights into 3D game development.
Advanced topics are also covered, such as developing first-person shooters in Unity, and creating interactive 3D models with Houdini's procedural toolset.
Additionally, courses like "Learn C++ Game Development" are for if you’re interested in more complex programming for game development.
Overall, Udemy's free courses provide a well-rounded education in game development, from basic coding and game design to advanced game programming and production techniques.
Bonus - YouTube Videos
YouTube is also a great place to start if you’re interested in learning Game Development.
There are dozens of tutorials and examples available to help you get started.
Here are a few great tutorials:
- Game Development for Dummies - by Thomas Brush
- The Unity Tutorial For Complete Beginners - by Game Maker’s Toolkit
- Learn Unity - Beginner's Game Development Tutorial - by freeCodeCamp
With the explosion of indie games and new distribution platforms, there's never been a better time to start learning game development. The free resources covered in this guide provide the perfect launch pad to start your journey.
Whether your goal is to design the next viral mobile game or create expansive 3D worlds, these tools will equip you with core skills to bring your gaming ideas to life. Master programming basics, asset creation, level design, and game mechanics through hands-on courses and projects.
With patience and dedication, you'll be on the path to becoming a game developer and releasing your own titles. Who knows, you may create the next big hit played by millions around the world!
With the right mindset and these amazing free resources, anyone can start building the foundation for a career doing what they love - making interactive experiences. The only limit is your imagination.
The world of gaming needs fresh voices and ideas. So unleash your creativity - and game on!
From your fellow ever-growing dev,
Cherlock Code
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