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Certificate in Basic Game Design (Online at your own pace)


Adult Enrichment / Computers & Technology -
Online Certificates and Courses 2025

This Certificate offers you an introduction to the use of games for business purposes. Learn the basics of designing both video and analog games, with a focus on games beyond entertainment. In the first course, Explore game design resources, mechanics, and verbs used in different games. Develop game ideas and understand how to work with game developers. In the second course, discover the basics of the video game design process, main video game genres, and use a game development application to start creating games. Completing this Certificate in Basic Game Design will equip you with knowledge and skills to create games and understand game design.

Courses must be taken in order:

  1. Introduction to Game Design
  2. Intermediate Video Game Design

Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ


Class details:

Introduction to Game Design
Unit 1: What Makes a Game?
    Practical Definition for Game
    The Anatomy of a Game
    Games and Play
    Different Types of Games
Unit 2: Essentials of Design
      Getting Beyond a Game Idea
      Game Verbs and Game Mechanics
      Documentation
      Test Early, Test Often
Unit 3: Game Design: Solo and in Teams
      Defining Development Needs
      Roles in Game Design
      Finding Design and Development Partners
Unit 4: Serious Games & Gamification
      Games Beyond Entertainment
      Designing "Serious" Games
      Gamification
      Designing Gamification Systems
Intermediate Video Game Design
Unit 1: A brief history of Video Game Development
    Arcades & Consoles
    From PCs to Multiplayer
    Play a Game -Game Analysis
    Game Maker Introduction
Unit 2: Player Motivation
      Geographics, demographics, and psychographics
      Who Plays
      Why We Play
      Game Maker Making Art: About Sprites, Objects, Rooms
Unit 3: Platforms, Genres and Story Elements
      Game Application: The Audience
      Platforms & Player Modes
      Story Elements: Premise, Backstory, Synopsis, Theme, & Setting
      Character Archetypes & Character Development
      Game Maker: Programming Events & Actions
Unit 4: The Production Process
      Documentation: The Game Design Doc
      Creating the Team
      Production Phases
      Marketing
      Game Maker: Your First Game
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Instructor

Jean Haefner


Jean Haefner holds degrees in Graphic Design and Photography, and a MFA in Web Designand Interactive Media; MS Haefner has taught in these areas, and worked professionally as a Content Artist, Web Designer, and Online Course Developer for over 20 years. More recently, she helped to develop the award winning interdisciplinary Game Design and Development program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and provided instruction in art and design for games there. She currently works at UW-Madison.

OE-62100a-ugc

  Jean Haefner


Online
Sun-Sat, Feb 3 - Mar 28
12:01 - 11:59 AM

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Tu
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Min Age   18 yr.

Price: $ 395 00
OE-62100b-ugc

  Jean Haefner


Online
Sun-Sat, Apr 7 - May 30
12:01 - 11:59 AM

Su
M
Tu
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Th
F
Sa

Min Age   18 yr.

Price: $ 395 00
Registration begins  
Jan. 7th at 9:00 AM
OE-62100c-ugc

  Jean Haefner


Online
Sun-Sat, Jun 2 - Aug 1
12:01 - 11:59 AM

Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
Sa

Min Age   18 yr.

Price: $ 395 00
Registration begins  
Jan. 7th at 9:00 AM
OE-62100d-ugc

  Jean Haefner


Online
Sun-Sat, Sep 2 - Oct 31
12:01 - 11:59 AM

Su
M
Tu
W
Th
F
Sa

Min Age   18 yr.

Price: $ 395 00
Registration begins  
Jan. 7th at 9:00 AM