37 Best + Free Game Design Courses & Certificates [2025]
- 1. C# Tutorial for Beginners [YouTube] - Best YouTube Tutorial
- 2. CS50's Introduction to Game Development [edX] - Best Free Course
- 3. Create with Code [Unity Learn]
- 4. Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D [Udemy] - Best Paid Course
- 5. Gameplay Programming for Video Game Designers [edX]
- 6. Video Game Design: Teamwork & Collaboration [edX]
- 7. Video Game Asset Creation and Process [edX]
- 8. Leading Change: Go Beyond Gamification with Gameful Learning [edX]
- 9. Unity Game Development Build 2D & 3D Games [Udemy]
- 10. Learn Blender 3D Modeling for Unity Video Game Development [Udemy]
As featured on Harvard EDU, Stackify and Inc - CourseDuck identifies and rates the Best Game Design Courses, Tutorials, Providers and Certifications, based on 12,000+ student reviews, public mentions, recommendations, ratings and polling 5,000+ highly active StackOverFlow members. Learn more
💻 Which Game Design Course Provider is best for me?
- Udemy and Eduonix are best for practical, low cost and high quality Game Design courses.
- Coursera, Udacity and EdX are the best providers for a Game Design certificate, as many come from top Ivy League Universities.
- YouTube is best for free Game Design crash courses.
- PluralSight, SkillShare and LinkedIn are the best monthly subscription platforms if you want to take multiple Game Design courses.
- Independent Providers for Game Design courses & certificates are generally hit or miss.
💼 What is Game Design used for?
The gaming industry is a huge employer for graduates with a creative bent. ... Typically, game developers create almost everything from scratch, including the format, layout, and aesthetics of the games, including the characters and storylines, creating myriad opportunities for creative graduates.
📃 Is a Game Design Certificate worth it?
Yes and No. Certified Game Design developers on average make more money. Having a Game Design certificate greatly increases the chance of landing an interview and can open otherwise closed doors. Coursera, Udacity and EdX offer excellent certificate options for impressing your future employers. Eduonix, Udemy and several other providers offer certificates, but they aren't as reputable. If you have a Computer Science Degree, certificates are not as important. Still, many employers won't care about certificates, but rather your interview skills, experience and/or skills assessment.
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Best YouTube Tutorial
1 )
C# Tutorial for Beginners (2012)
4.8
This YouTube tutorial walks inexperienced game designers and coders through a thorough introduction into C#. With 102 distinct videos, you can trust that this is as comprehensive as an introductory YouTube series can get. Developed by Kudvenkat, it aims to be the ultimate resource for learning the basics of C#.

Pros

Cons
- This is the one-stop tutorial. It covers everything.
- Thankfully, its on YouTube. If you get stuck somewhere, you can go back as many times as you need.
- Even as concepts drift into complicated waters, it is still geared for beginners from start to finish.
- Its hard to find an introductory tutorial with more information. It can feel overwhelming.
- While this starts at the very beginning, it gets way past introductory concepts before you're done.
- With so many videos, you're looking at a chunk of hours to complete everything. Only the dedicated will finish.
Best Free Course
2 )
CS50's Introduction to Game Development (2018)
4.7
This course by Harvard University is part of a professional certificate program, and the lessons are split into 12 weeks. You can complete the entire course with roughly 70 hours of application. It covers the fundamental designs of classic games that include Super Mario Bros. and Flappy Bird.

Pros

Cons
- Course is the 2nd in a series. For a more complete learning experience, the entire series can be studied for free.
- Project-focused learning ensures that anyone who completes the course will have made their first video game.
- Course can be taken for college credit through Harvard University.
- Professional certificate costs $150.
- Course is designed at an intermediate level. Beginners cannot start here.
- Course is only free if you do not want college credit.
3 )
Create with Code (2019)
0.0
Unity Learn is a hands-on, interactive tutorial system that helps beginners familiarize themselves with Unity tools. It walks first-timers through the process of developing simple games, and it even covers livestreaming finished results. It's designed to be user friendly for ages 6 and up, making it a truly accessible tool for jumping into game design.
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Overall Score : 99 / 100
Best Paid Course
4 )
Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D (2025)
4.8
Design & Develop Video Games. Learn C# in Unity Engine. Code Your first 3D Unity games for web, Mac & PC.
What You'll Learn
- Learn C# from scratch. A powerful modern language.
- Get experience using Unity 2017 - a very versatile 3D tool.
- Gain an excellent general knowledge of video game design.
- Make 2.5D and 3D games in Unity.
- Transfer your knowledge to .NET, other languages, and more.
- Learn how object oriented programming works in practice.
- Develop a positive attitude to problem solving.
- Practical exercises EVERY VIDEO to build actual skills.
- Learn good coding and design patterns.
- Learn to use source control, a valuable tool for working in small teams.
5 )
Gameplay Programming for Video Game Designers
0.0
byAl Biles
Learn how to create the best gameplay by understanding algorithmic thinking in simple programming problems and applying it to game design.
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Overall Score : 99 / 100
6 )
Video Game Design: Teamwork & Collaboration
0.0
Learn how a team comes together to create, market and deliver a video game.
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Overall Score : 99 / 100
7 )
Video Game Asset Creation and Process
0.0
Learn about the tools, processes and platforms that allow video game assets to be created and assembled into a commercial game.
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Overall Score : 99 / 100
8 )
Leading Change: Go Beyond Gamification with Gameful Learning
0.0
Learn the tools to support gameful learning environments that foster personalized, engaged learning in schools.
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Overall Score : 99 / 100
9 )
Unity Game Development Build 2D & 3D Games (2018)
3.7
Learn Unity game design & 2D & 3D game development & make your own C# games in Unity 3D
What You'll Learn
- Build 2D Unity games & work with sprites
- Build 3D Unity games
- Write programs in C#
- Apply for Jr. Game Developer jobs as a Unity 3D developer
10 )
Learn Blender 3D Modeling for Unity Video Game Development (2025)
4.5
Learn to Create or Edit Props, Design Levels, Apply Material and Simple Animations using Blender 3D for Unity Developers
What You'll Learn
- Design Unity game props and levels like a pro using Blender 3D
- Make adjustments to Unity Assets (props) by importing them into Blender.
- Animate Traps and other obstacles for you game designs
- Design Modular Levels for your Unity Games
- Create your own Unity props with confidence using Blender 3D
11 )
Become a Game Designer the Complete Series Coding to Design (2025)
3.6
Learn Unity, 3D game design, 2D game design, coding, C#, game development, 3D animation, programming, Unity3D
What You'll Learn
- Create advanced 2D/3D games and applications
- Develope for Nintendo, XBox, PS4, PC, Mac, iPhone, Android
- Have an expert understanding of the Unity game engine
- Have an expert understanding of Maya, 3DS MAX and Mudbox
- Have an expert understanding of digital painting in Photoshop
- Work in game design, film, or software development
- Build and publish your own games and apps