Foundations of Video Game Design: From Concept to Narrative

Wiley’s four-module course connects an initial game idea with narrative and design documentation. Adapted from Scott Rogers’ Level Up! material, it covers industry roles, concept development, story choices and the paperwork that makes those decisions shareable. Short videos introduce a curriculum built substantially around readings and assessments.

What you will learn

• Describe game-development roles and concept choices
• Connect story decisions with gameplay
• Structure foundational design documentation

Who this suits

The Beginner course is suitable for learners seeking a written introduction to game design. It is a useful choice for readers who want to think through a concept before working in an engine.

Before you enroll

The four-hour estimate is total study effort, not a long video masterclass. This covers the first part of a three-course pathway; later mechanics and platform courses have different material. Treat examples as design prompts, and develop original characters and settings rather than copying a commercial property into a public project.

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Put it into practice

Write a one-page concept with its audience, central action and narrative premise. Remove a story element and consider whether the actual player decisions change.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

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