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Harvard University

CS50's Introduction to Game Development

Learn how your favorite video games are built and implemented

Estimated 12 weeks
6-9 hours per week
Self-Paced
Progress at your own speed
100% Online
Learn anytime, anywhere

About this course

In a quest to understand how video games themselves are implemented, you'll explore the design of such childhood games as:

  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Pong
  • Flappy Bird
  • Breakout
  • Match 3
  • Legend of Zelda
  • Angry Birds
  • Pok√©mon
  • 3D Helicopter Game
  • Dreadhalls
  • Portal

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What you'll learn

Via lectures and hands-on projects, the course explores principles of 2D and 3D graphics, animation, sound, and collision detection using frameworks like Unity and LÖVE 2D, as well as languages like Lua and C#. By class’s end,you'llhave programmed several ofyour own games and gained a thorough understanding of the basics of game design and development.


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At a glance

  • Institution:
    Harvard University
  • Subject:
    Computer Science
  • Language:
    English
  • Level:
    Intermediate

About the instructors

David J. Malan
David J. Malan
Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science
Harvard University
Colton Ogden
Colton Ogden
Technologist
Harvard University

Ways to take this course

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$199 USD

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Frequently asked questions

You'll have a different experience in your course depending on whether you've enrolled in the free audit track or paid verified track. As a free audit learner, you will have temporary access to course materials except graded assignments, and you will not earn a certificate the end of the course. You will be able to access the free content for the estimated course length posted on the course introduction page in the catalog.

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Benefits of the verified track

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If you click Pursue the Verified Track you'll be directed to the payment page. Enter your credit card information or click the PayPal button in the upper right to pay from your PayPal account. All fees are charged in US Dollars.

As a free audit learner, you will have temporary access to all course materials except graded assignments, and you will not earn a certificate the end of the course. You will be able to access the free content for the expected course length posted on the course introduction page in the catalog.

Benefits of the verified track

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  • Access course readings and video lectures
  • Complete any ungraded, practice assignments if the course features any
  • Participate in the the course discussion forums
  • View progress of any ungraded practice assignments
  • Expires after the estimated course length has passed

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In the free audit track, you can access the course content for the Estimated course length listed on the course introduction page in the course catalog.

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