GDC Courses

Making Connections: Real-Time Path-Traced Light Transport in Game Engines

Explore real-time path-traced lighting in modern game engines, focusing on hardware-accelerated ray tracing and ReSTIR algorithms. Learn theoretical and practical aspects for implementation in Unreal Engine 5.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 1 minute
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Larian Cinematics - A Top-Down Look at Bottom-Up Approach in Baldur's Gate 3

Explore Larian Studios' evolving cinematic approach for Baldur's Gate 3, from initial vision to final challenges, adapting tools and strategies to meet the game's scale and reactivity demands.

• YouTube
• 54 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

How to Make Things "POP" with Audio and Color in Video Games

Explore the synergy between color design and audio in video games, enhancing storytelling and impact through visual and auditory elements for a more immersive gaming experience.

• YouTube
• 29 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Authored vs. Systemic - Finding a Balance for Combat AI in Uncharted 4

Explore Naughty Dog's AI development process for Uncharted 4, balancing authored and systemic approaches to create dynamic combat experiences and realistic enemy behaviors.

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

Designing Two Tasty Cores Three Times Over - The Case of Brawl Stars

Explore Brawl Stars' evolution through control schemes and progression systems, offering insights into game design decisions and community impact in mobile game development.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 5 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The 2019 Animation Microtalks

Diverse game industry experts share insights on animation, design, and industry trends in rapid-fire microtalks, offering unique perspectives and valuable knowledge for game developers.

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

Dead Cells - What the F*n!

Explore how Dead Cells' innovative design choices made it a challenging yet accessible game, balancing hardcore elements with player-friendly features to reduce frustration.

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

A New Dimension to Below - Personal Discovery and Adaptation

Explore Capybara Games' journey in transforming Below from 2D to 3D, covering technical challenges, workflow adaptations, and team dynamics for successful game development.

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

AI Arborist - Proper Cultivation and Care for Your Behavior Trees

Learn core principles for optimizing behavior trees in game AI, avoiding common pitfalls, and exploring advanced techniques like decorators, interruptions, and external plan generation.

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

Making Games That Stand Out and Survive

Discover strategies to make your game stand out and thrive in a competitive market, with insights from Monomi Park founder Nick Popovich on game development and marketing.

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

Designing Path of Exile to Be Played Forever

Explore game design strategies for long-term player retention and community growth, focusing on Path of Exile's successful approach to content creation and player engagement.

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

The Making of Divinity - Original Sin 2

Larian Studios' strategies for improving Divinity: Original Sin 2, covering game design, development challenges, and innovative features that enhanced the sequel's success.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 3 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Into the Breach Design Postmortem

Explore the design journey of Into the Breach, from early concepts to final balancing, as Subset Games co-founder Matthew Davis reveals insights on constraints, iteration, and challenging design decisions.

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

Level Design in Hitman - Guiding Players in a Non-Linear Sandbox

Explore level design strategies for guiding players in non-linear sandbox games, focusing on Hitman's tutorial and linear guidance system implementation.

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

Looking Back and Moving Forward with Pillars of Eternity

Explore the development of Pillars of Eternity, examining how Obsidian updated classic PC RPGs while honoring their legacy. Gain insights into art, mechanics, narrative, and post-launch support.

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