GDC Courses

A Moderation Guide for Successful Brand Livestreams and Digital Events

Comprehensive guide for brands on moderating livestreams and digital events, covering business case, safety issues, and practical implementation strategies for successful online engagement.

• YouTube
• 29 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Growing an Internet Cult - Cult of the Lamb's Social Strategy

Explore how 'Cult of the Lamb' leveraged meme-able moments, iconic art, and social media analytics to build a culturally relevant gaming brand and grow an engaged community.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The Cinematics of Horizon Forbidden West

Exclusive breakdown of key scenes, principles, and tools used to create 22 hours of high-fidelity cinematic content in Horizon Forbidden West's open world, showcasing the game's visual excellence.

• YouTube
• 54 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Play With Your Audience - Enhancing Your Social Strategy Through Theater

Discover how theatrical techniques can elevate your social media strategy, fostering playful connections with gaming communities and boosting brand awareness organically.

• YouTube
• 28 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Benefits of Missing Out - What Cyberpunk 2077 Taught Us About Non-Linear Level Design

Explore level design insights from Cyberpunk 2077, focusing on player reception, lessons learned, and techniques for creating rewarding branching paths while maintaining production efficiency.

• YouTube
• 53 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The Secret Lives of NPCs - Wayward Strand

Explore the innovative approach to NPC design in 'Wayward Strand', where characters lead independent lives. Learn how to create a dynamic, real-time narrative world that feels authentic and engaging for players.

• YouTube
• 56 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Narrative Moments on a Budget - Stretching Storytelling Dollars Across the Moments That Matter

Discover strategies for efficient storytelling in game development, focusing on prioritizing narrative elements and maximizing impact with limited resources and time constraints.

• YouTube
• 33 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Moving Mountains - Speedy Level Creation as a Desperate Indie Dev

Discover efficient level design techniques for indie game development, focusing on maximizing gameplay variety and building levels quickly using clever tools and a single core mechanic.

• YouTube
• 59 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Breathing Life Into The Last of Us - Part I and II

Explore Naughty Dog's innovative Breathing System for 'The Last of Us', from concept to finalization. Learn how this audio technique creates a harrowing, immersive experience in narrative-driven games.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 4 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Respecting Player Fantasies in Dating Sims

Explore player types, romance styles, and character design in dating sims. Learn to match player expectations and create engaging experiences in this genre-specific game design talk.

• YouTube
• 28 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

What the F-UX is UX

Demystifying UX job hunting in the game industry: creative strategies for landing your next gig, understanding job requirements, and tailoring your resume to stand out in a competitive field.

• YouTube
• 29 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The Golden Rule of Game Promotion - No One Cares About Your Game

Discover how the "no one cares about your game" mindset can sharpen your marketing strategy, improve social media presence, and create impactful PR campaigns for game promotion.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Designing Marvel Snap

Dive into 15 years of collectible card game design wisdom as Ben Brode shares insights from Hearthstone and MARVEL SNAP, offering valuable knowledge for game developers and enthusiasts.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 1 minute
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Breaking Barriers - Combat Accessibility in God of War Ragnarök

Explore the journey of enhancing combat accessibility in God of War Ragnarök, covering design challenges, barrier resolution, and balancing accessibility with intended gameplay.

• YouTube
• 30 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Legacy Games - From Risk to Pandemic to SeaFall & Beyond

Explore the evolution and impact of legacy board games, their unique design principles, and lessons for game designers across various genres.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 1 minute
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk