Learning plan cover

I want to learn how to design video games

LEARNING PLAN

I want to learn how to design video games

Game design combines creativity, psychology, and technical skills to create interactive experiences that captivate millions of players worldwide. This learning path is perfect for aspiring game designers, developers looking to transition into design roles, or creative professionals who want to understand what makes interactive entertainment truly engaging and successful.

ByCommunity User
2 h 13 m
12 coursesUpdated 4 days ago
A Theory of Fun for Game DesignA Game Design VocabularyWhy Games Don't Reduce Your Remaining Chances12 sources

How This Learning Plan Was Made

This plan was crafted by BeFreed’s proprietary AI to help you learn I want to learn how to design video games with ease. It is curated from in-depth research on the topic and structured around the most effective learning journeys proven by BeFreed users.

Each episode delivers bite-sized, high-impact lessons distilled from world-class sources — bestselling books, research papers, and expert insights. Together, they form a sophisticated yet accessible path to mastering I want to learn how to design video games.

What You'll Learn

  • Understand the psychology of play and what makes games truly engaging through proven design theory
  • Master the creation of compelling game mechanics and design experiences that keep players coming back
  • Develop skills in crafting immersive narratives and worlds that integrate seamlessly with gameplay
  • Learn the complete process of shipping a game from concept to launch
  • Build a foundation for a sustainable career as an independent game developer
  • Gain practical knowledge of managing development challenges and player experience design

Understand the psychology behind play, pattern recognition, and what truly makes games engaging through fundamental design theory.

A Theory of Fun for Game Design cover
A Theory of Fun for Game Design

Exploring game design through cognition, pattern recognition, and the psychology of fun.

10 m
A Game Design Vocabulary cover
A Game Design Vocabulary

Master game design with a clear vocabulary and practical examples.

9 m
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A Theory of Fun for Game DesignSuperBetterWhat are your thoughts on a fixed minimum fail chance? Like if the ...The Balance of Fail States in Game Design
6 sources
Why Games Don't Reduce Your Remaining Chances

Exploring the psychology behind unlimited retries in games and why reducing chances might actually create more engaging, memorable experiences through meaningful consequences and focused attention.

10 m

Master the art of creating compelling mechanics, designing for human behavior, and building habit-forming experiences that keep players engaged.

Hooked cover
Hooked

How tech companies create habit-forming products using the Hook Model.

9 m
The Design of Everyday Things cover
The Design of Everyday Things

A fascinating exploration of design principles, revealing how everyday objects shape our interactions and experiences in surprising ways.

8 m
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source 1The Impact of Gamification-Induced Users' Feelings on the Continued Use of mHealth Apps: A Structural Equation Model With the Self-Determination Theory Approachsource 3A meta-analytic review of gamified interventions in mental health enhancement
6 sources
Psychology Behind Gamification for App Growth

Explore the psychological mechanisms that make gamification truly effective for mobile app growth, from ethical engagement strategies to core human drives that fuel sustainable user retention.

8 m

Learn to craft compelling stories, build immersive worlds, and integrate narrative seamlessly into interactive experiences.

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting cover
Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting

A masterful guide to crafting compelling narratives, exploring the art and science of storytelling for aspiring screenwriters and storytellers.

9 m
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source 1source 2source 3Capturing the Art of Storytelling: Techniques & Tips - Writers.com
6 sources
The Science and Art of Storytelling

Explore the universal patterns, neuroscience, and cultural techniques that make stories so powerful. From Campbell's Hero's Journey to Eastern narrative structures, discover how to craft compelling stories that connect across cultures and transform minds.

26 m
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Using AI for Worldbuilding: Create Immersive Worlds in a Fraction of ...source 2Crafting Immersive Worlds: AI and the Art of World-Buildingsource 4
6 sources
AI-Powered Worldbuilding: Creating Immersive Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Discover how AI tools are revolutionizing worldbuilding for creators. Learn practical workflows, prompting techniques, and systematic approaches to build compelling sci-fi and fantasy universes for visual media and print.

18 m

Discover what it really takes to complete and launch a game, from managing development challenges to building a sustainable indie career.

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels cover
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels

A gripping behind-the-scenes look at video game development, revealing the triumphs and tribulations of creating interactive entertainment.

9 m
Masters of Doom cover
Masters of Doom

The story of id Software and game development

8 m
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source 1source 2source 3The Product Development Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
6 sources
Building Products People Can't Live Without

Jackson and Eli break down the essential framework for creating successful products, from discovering real customer problems to achieving product-market fit through systematic testing and iteration.

9 m

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