Professional Certificate in Game Design

Unlock future-ready skills to build a career in game design

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Course Dates

STARTS ON

February 14, 2024

Course Duration

DURATION

6 months, online
15–20 hours per week

Course Fee

PROGRAM FEE

US$7,450 US$6,332 and get US$745 off with a referral

Course Information Flexible payment available
Course Fee

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Emeritus is collaborating with MIT xPRO to help you build future-ready skills. Enroll before and get up to 15% tuition assistance to set yourself up for professional success.​

Application Details

program fee

US$7,450 US$6,332

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Prerequisites: Participants should have experience with basic coding concepts. Some assignments require the use of the Unity game engine (C#). Links to tutorials in Unity are provided.

Elevate Your Approach to Game Design

The worldwide games market is poised for growth on all fronts. With smartphones making games more accessible and innovative applications emerging in fields such as education and training, the global gaming market is projected to reach $340 billion by 2027. Tabletop games are enjoying a renaissance of their own, with the market expected to reach $30.93 billion by 2028 — more than twice its current value.

With this growth comes a demand for game design professionals who have a more sophisticated understanding of the field. Today’s designers must not only be able to design, develop, and launch games that foster connection and resonate with a diverse audience — they must also know how to scope projects, manage products, and work effectively with teams.

If you are looking to break into game design or advance in the field, the Professional Certificate in Game Design from MIT xPRO will give you the knowledge and skills you need to navigate the challenges of today’s game industry and prepare you to create games for the future.

$340 billion

The value of the global gaming market by 2027

Source: Mordor Intelligence

$93,926

The average salary for lead game designers in the U.S.

Source: Payscale

Who Is This Program For?

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Recent graduates or postgraduates

in fields such as information technology (IT), information technology-enabled services (ITeS), technology, or game development who are aiming to start a career in game design by demonstrating their capabilities through a program designed by renowned faculty from the MIT Game Lab

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Early career game professionals

looking to expand their career opportunities by gaining exposure to game design as a way to advance in a fast-growing field

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Creative professionals

such as graphic or UX designers, sound engineers, production artists, or art directors who have a passion for games of any type and wish to build upon their creative backgrounds to break into the game design industry

Prepare for These Future Job Titles:

  • Content Designer
  • Game Programmer
  • Narrative Designer
  • User Experience Designer
  • Game Designer
  • User Interface Designer
  • Level Designer
  • Producer

Program Highlights

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Distinguish yourself with a certificate from MIT xPRO, and earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs)

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Gain insights from MIT Game Lab instructors and industry experts

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Compile a Game Diary, a portfolio of your work you can share with potential employers

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Complete a capstone project by applying your knowledge and skills to develop a functional game

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Receive one-on-one career support from Emeritus and introductions to hiring partners for eligible participants

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the intricacies of game design by gaining in-depth knowledge of every stage
  • Learn how to communicate effectively with a game design team by clearly outlining your vision and correctly scoping projects
  • Future-proof your career by learning how to design games of tomorrow that are culturally responsive and accessible to all
  • Demonstrate your skills to potential employers by creating a Game Diary, a portfolio that highlights your expertise
  • Learn from MIT expert instructors who actively practice game design and conduct research in MIT's Game Lab

Program Topics

This program is organized into four parts, all focused on the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today’s game design market.

Part 1:

The Foundations of Game Design

Learn the fundamentals of game design, learn how to analyze game mechanics and complex game systems, and re-create a game prototype in Tabletopia.

  • The Territory of Game Design
  • Games, Rules, and Players
  • Play Communities
  • Building Blocks of Game Design
  • Modes of Interaction
  • Emergent Behavior

Part 2:

Tabletop and Low Fidelity Prototyping

Explore the intricacies of game design, including ideation methodologies, playtesting cycles, and prototyping, and learn how to design a game for impact.

  • Choice and Chance
  • Ideation and Concepts
  • Fundamentals of Prototyping
  • Playtesting and Iteration
  • Usability
  • Cultural Responsibility

Part 3:

Using a Game Engine

Learn strategies for navigating the nuances of today’s market. Then, discover industry best practices that will help you confront common design challenges.

  • Inclusivity and Accessibility
  • Digital Prototyping in Teams
  • Development Practices
  • Game Feel
  • Project Scoping
  • Opening the Black Box

Part 4:

Putting It All Together

Hear industry perspectives on starting a business, game development, and sound design. Then, prepare a pitch and put your learning into practice by designing a game in a final capstone project.

  • Demonstrating Game Ideas
  • Business of Games
  • Industry Voices I
  • Industry Voices II
  • Designing a Game I
  • Designing a Game II

Part 1:

The Foundations of Game Design

Learn the fundamentals of game design, learn how to analyze game mechanics and complex game systems, and re-create a game prototype in Tabletopia.

  • The Territory of Game Design
  • Games, Rules, and Players
  • Play Communities
  • Building Blocks of Game Design
  • Modes of Interaction
  • Emergent Behavior

Part 3:

Using a Game Engine

Learn strategies for navigating the nuances of today’s market. Then, discover industry best practices that will help you confront common design challenges.

  • Inclusivity and Accessibility
  • Digital Prototyping in Teams
  • Development Practices
  • Game Feel
  • Project Scoping
  • Opening the Black Box

Part 2:

Tabletop and Low Fidelity Prototyping

Explore the intricacies of game design, including ideation methodologies, playtesting cycles, and prototyping, and learn how to design a game for impact.

  • Choice and Chance
  • Ideation and Concepts
  • Fundamentals of Prototyping
  • Playtesting and Iteration
  • Usability
  • Cultural Responsibility

Part 4:

Putting It All Together

Hear industry perspectives on starting a business, game development, and sound design. Then, prepare a pitch and put your learning into practice by designing a game in a final capstone project.

  • Demonstrating Game Ideas
  • Business of Games
  • Industry Voices I
  • Industry Voices II
  • Designing a Game I
  • Designing a Game II
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Career Preparation and Guidance

Game designers or those in a related role need both hard and soft skills to succeed. This program offers you guidance for navigating your career path, from crafting your elevator pitch to perfecting your interview skills. These services are provided by Emeritus, our learning collaborator for this program. The program support team includes program leaders who will help you reach your learning goals. The primary goal is to give you the skills necessary to be prepared for a job in this field; however, job placement is not guaranteed.

Career guidance in this program includes:

  • Navigating your job search
  • Preparing for interviews
  • Negotiating your salary
  • Crafting your elevator pitch
  • Optimizing your LinkedIn profile
  • Writing resumes and cover letters

Exercises specific to building your game design career include:

  • Building your personal brand and promoting your skills
  • Understanding the roles and workflow of game design
  • Job searching and interviewing for game design or related positions
  • Communicating game design concepts through a capstone project
  • Reflecting on your skills to determine how to solve problems and become an efficient leader

Program Instructors

Profile picture of Program Instructors, Philip Tan

Philip Tan

Research Scientist, MIT Game Lab

Philip Tan teaches courses in game design and production at MIT. His research translates the joy of expert challenge in scientific, professional, and competitive fields into playful forms that are accessible to anyone... More info

Profile picture of Program Instructors, Mikael Jakobsson

Mikael Jakobsson

Research Scientist, MIT Game Lab

Mikael Jakobsson’s interest in game development began in the 1980s, the age of early home computers. With a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and a Master’s in Informatics, he went on to write his dissertation on social interaction design in virtual worlds... More info

Guest Speakers

Profile picture of Guest Speakers, Heather Albano

Heather Albano

Senior Narrative Designer, Deep Silver Volition, Freelance Fiction Writer

Profile picture of Guest Speakers, Eitan Glinert

Eitan Glinert

Founder and President, Fire Hose Games

Profile picture of Guest Speakers, Richard Ludlow

Richard Ludlow

Audio Director and Cofounder, Hexany Audio

Profile picture of Guest Speakers, Jessica “Jynnie” Tang

Jessica “Jynnie” Tang

Product Manager and Game Developer, Multiverse

Certificate

Example image of certificate of participation that will be awarded upon completetion of the program

Certificate

Get recognized! Upon successful completion of this program, MIT xPRO grants a certificate of completion to participants and 36 CEUs. This program is graded as pass or fail. Participants must receive 75% to pass and obtain the certificate of completion.

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FAQs

  • How do I know whether this program is right for me?

    After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow up with you very shortly.


    Are there any prerequisites for this program?

    Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page and in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.


    What are the requirements to earn a certificate?

    This is a graded program. You must complete a combination of individual assignments, quizzes, and a final project. Each component carries a certain number of points, and a cumulative score of 75 percent is required to pass and obtain your professional certificate.


    Will I be guaranteed a job upon completion of the program?

    The primary objective of this program is to give you the skills you need to be prepared for a job in this field. While eligible participants will receive career coaching and support and may receive introductions to our hiring partners, job placement is not guaranteed.

  • How much time will I be expected to devote to this program?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the “Duration” section and in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.


    How will I spend my time in this program?

    You will divide your learning time between viewing recorded coding demos, and video lectures, contributing to class discussions, completing assignments, projects, and knowledge checks, and attending optional live sessions with industry experts and program leaders.


    How is the program administered? Can the program be accessed any time?

    The program is accessed through the custom learning portal. This portal will give you access to all program-related content such as video lectures, assignments, and discussions. Live office hours will be conducted using a webinar tool.

    The video lectures and assignments are accessible weekly throughout the program. In the event you miss a live session, a recording will be made available.


    Do I need to attend live sessions every week?

    Faculty video lectures are recorded, allowing you to watch these on your own schedule. However, participation in optional live sessions and discussion boards is highly encouraged. Live sessions will give you the opportunity to draw on the coding experience of our industry-experienced program leaders to answer your questions and help reach your learning goals. The discussion boards are also an integral part of the learning experience, giving you and your peers the opportunity to learn together and receive guidance from the moderators.


    Can I download the program videos?

    You can download video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. However, the video lectures are only available for streaming and require an internet connection.


    How do I interact with other program participants?

    You can communicate with other participants through our learning platform. You will be able to form groups based on your interests and location. A direct messaging feature is also available through the platform.


    What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

    More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

    All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

    A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.

  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what is required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the “Duration” section and in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

    This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification of any specific program requirements.


    What type of certificate will I receive?

    Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, résumé, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.

    The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.


    Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

    No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.


    Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

    No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.


    How long will I have access to the learning materials?

    You will have access to the learning platform and all program materials (videos excluded) for one full year following the program end date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

  • What equipment is needed or the technical requirements for this program?

    To successfully complete this course/program(me) online, you must have access to a device meeting the minimum requirements, found here. In addition, Microsoft Office or similar product and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts in all programs. Technical programs might have additional tech requirements. Please check the learning platform on the first day of class.


    Do I need to be online to access the program content?

    Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet and video content is not available for download. You can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet and webinars and small group sessions will require an internet connection.

  • What is the program fee for the program, and what forms of payment do you accept?

    The program fee is shown at the top of this page and payment must be made in US dollars only.

    Flexible payment options, group enrollment benefits, and referral bonus are available.

    Tuition assistance may be available for participants who qualify. Please contact your program advisor to discuss.


    What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another mode of payment accepted?

    Yes, you can do the bank remittance in USD via wire transfer. Please contact your program advisor for more details.


    Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

    Yes flexible payment options are available for this program. We partner with loan providers to offer you flexible and transparent loan options. More information about loan financing is available here. Installment payments are also available—; you can find the options here.


    Does the program fee include taxes? Are there any additional fees?

    Yes, the program fee is inclusive of any taxes with the exception of GST for Singapore residents.

  • What is your refund policy?

    After a participant has withdrawn, they will no longer be able to attend live sessions or 1:1 sessions with course leaders, mentors, or career coaches; submit work for review; or access their programme dashboard or curriculum.


    Time of Refund Request

    • Within 15 days after course commencement
    • 16 to 30 days after course commencement
    • More than 30 days after course commencement

    Amount Refunded

    • Full refund of course Fee
    • 50% of course fee
    • No refund of Course fee

    How do I request a refund?

    Participants who would like to cancel their enrollment should email ProgramSupport@Emeritus.org or visit the “Support” tab in the learning platform to obtain a copy of the Withdrawal Request Form. This form must be submitted by midnight UTC of the last day of the trial period to be eligible for a full refund. No cancellations will be processed unless this form is received. Refunds will be issued within 30 days after the effective date of withdrawal or dismissal.


    Can I defer to a future cohort?

    Participants have the option to request a deferral to a future cohort within the first 30 days from their program start date. Cohort changes may be made only once per enrollment and are subject to the availability of cohorts and scheduled at the discretion of Emeritus. Participants requesting a deferral must be in good academic standing. Participants who would like to defer their enrollment should email ProgramSupport@Emeritus.org or visit the “Support” tab in the learning platform to obtain a copy of the Deferral Request Form.

Financing Options

We offer flexible and transparent payment options through our partner Climb Credit.

Climb

Immediate repayment, interest-only repayment, and deferred payment options are available. Click here to know more

Flexible Payment Options

Monthly payments as low as $1,250. Click here to know more.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Academic Advisors or call us at +1 315 640 4846 (US) / +44 141 673 6416 (UK) / +65 3138 2327 (SG)

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