Online Game Development Classes Offered Free by Top Universities and Educational Websites

About this article
Online game development classes are offered for free by various universities, including Tufts University and Utah State University. Courses are available to study at any time and cover topics including basic programming and game theory.
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Free Game Development Classes

Game development classes are offered from these schools and websites listed below. Course subjects include programming, game development, and instructional games.

GameDev.net

GameDev.net offers free online tutorials for those interested in programming and making video games. Topics covered include Tetris, Pac-man, Super Mario Brothers 2, programming languages, and software platforms.

Tufts University

Tufts offers an intro to game development course. Students can follow along on projects, labs, and a video lecture on mobile games. Topics covered include game design principles, game development methodologies, and JavaScript.

Utah State University

The instructional games course at Utah State will help students learn about the history and application of instructional games. Students will read about topics such as computer games, learning through video games, and how video games effect children.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT offers an extensive theory and analysis course on video game theory. Students will read from textbooks like The Game Design Reader and Why Video Games Are Good For Your Soul. Lecture notes will cover in-class analysis and exercises.

AlanEmrich.com

This course was taught at Stanford, the Art Institute of California, the University of California, Irvine, by professor Alam Emrich. The required text for the course is Game Development Essentials: An Introduction. Course topics include advanced game design philosophy, conflict resolution, and character, story and plot in game design.

  • Principles of Game Design - Professor Alan Emrich's game design course focuses on the strategies associated with game design.

Free Online Game Development Classes At a Glance

Course & School Program Level Format Assignments Quizzes & Exams Downloadable
How Do I Make Video Games tutorial from GameDev.net Unspecified Online tutorial No No No
Beginners Guide to Programming tutorial from GaveDev.net Unspecified Online tutorial/video external reading resources No No No
Introduction to Game Development course from Tufts University Unspecified Texts/projects/labs/external reading resources/video lecture Yes No Yes
Instructional Games course from Utah State University Unspecified Texts Yes No Yes
Video Game Theory and Analysis course from MIT Undergraduate/graduate Textbooks/lecture notes/labs Yes Yes Yes
Principles of Game Design course from AlanEmrich.com Unspecified Text/lectures/course project Yes Yes Yes

Popular Schools

  • Campus and Online Programs
    1. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • Game Design Masters - Online
      • Mobile Gaming Masters - Online
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. - Game Design
      • Game Business and Esports Bachelors - Online
      • Computer Science Bachelors - Online
      • Information Technology Bachelors - Online
      • Cybersecurity Bachelors - Online
    Certificate
      • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online
      • User Experience Bachelors - Online
  • Online Programs Available
    2. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
      • PhD-TIM - Computer Science
      • DBA - Information Technology
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Cybersecurity
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Data Science
      • PhD - General and Technology
    Master's
      • Master of Science in Computer Science
      • Master of Science in Data Science
      • MSIT - Cloud and Networking Infrastructure Management
      • MSCY - General Cybersecurity
      • MSTM - Cybersecurity Management
      • MSTM - Information Technology Management
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.S. in Computer Science
      • M.S. in Computer Science (Bridge)
      • M.S in Software Development
      • M.S in Software Engineering
      • Bridge to the M.S. in Information Technology Management
      • M.S. in Instructional Technology
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. in Software Development
      • B.A. in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design
      • B.S. in Information Technology
      • B.S. in Applied Technology
      • B.S. in Applied Cybersecurity Management
      • B.S. in Cybersecurity Management
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master: Information Technology - Project Management
      • MS in IT - Secure Software Development and Quality Assurance
      • MS in Cybersecurity Management - Secure Software Development and Quality Assurance
      • MSM in Information Technology
      • Master: Information Technology
      • MS in IT - Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Technologies
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Analytics - Game Development
      • BS in Cybersecurity - Game Development
      • BS in Analytics - Software Development Using C#
      • BS in Analytics - Software Development Using Java
      • BS in Analytics - Software Development Using Python
      • BS in Analytics - Software Development Using Web Languages
    Associate's
      • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology
    Certificate
      • Professional Focus + Google UX Design Certificate
      • Professional Focus + Google IT Support Certificate
  • Online Programs Available
    5. UMass Global

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BS in Information Technology
      • BS in Information Technology (Project Management)
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DBA: Information Systems
    Master's
      • MA: Digital Content
      • MAT: Computer Science Education 6-12 (36 Hours)
      • MAT: Computer Science Education 6-12 (45 Hours)
      • MS: Information Technology: Software Design & Management
      • MA: Visual Communication Design
      • MA: Strategic Communication: Social Innovation in Visual Communication
    Certificate
      • GRAD CERT: Social Innovation in Visual Communication
      • CERT: Web Development
      • CERT: Application Development
      • CERT: Database
      • CERT: Information Assurance
  • Online Programs Available
    7. Keiser University

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Associate's
      • Associate of Sciences - Information Technology
  • Winfield, KS

    Southwestern College

  • University of Maryland Global Campus

  • Rapid City, SD

    Western Dakota Technical Institute

Featured Schools

The schools and programs listed below are popular educational options, and tuition varies based on program and location

Full Sail University

  • Computer Science Masters - Online
  • B.S. - Game Design
  • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online

What is your highest level of education?

National University

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
  • PhD-TIM - Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Data Science

What is your highest level of education?

Grand Canyon University

  • M.S. in Computer Science
  • M.S. in Computer Science (Bridge)
  • B.S. in Software Development
  • B.A. in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • Master: Information Technology - Project Management
  • BS in Analytics - Game Development
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology
  • Professional Focus + Google UX Design Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

UMass Global

  • BS in Information Technology
  • BS in Information Technology (Project Management)

Which subject are you interested in?

Liberty University

  • DBA: Information Systems
  • MA: Digital Content
  • GRAD CERT: Social Innovation in Visual Communication

What is your highest level of education?

Keiser University

  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
  • Associate of Sciences - Information Technology

What is your highest level of education?

Southwestern College