Are you interested in learning game development and looking for free resources to kick-start your journey? YouTube is an incredible platform to find video courses that teach you game development from scratch and at your own pace.
In this article, we have curated a list of the best YouTube video courses to help you learn game development for free. Moreover, if you prefer an organized and beginner-friendly resource, you might want to check out Zenva’s Unity Mini-Degree.
Table of contents
What Do Game Developers Do
Game developers are responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining video games. They create games for various platforms, including PCs, consoles, and mobile devices. Their job might involve designing game mechanics, writing code, creating assets, or collaborating with other team members to bring their creative vision to life. As an essential part of the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry, game developers create engaging experiences and help shape the future of entertainment.
Why You Should Learn Game Development
Learning game development can be a rewarding experience for several reasons:
- It’s a creative and stimulating field that allows you to express your artistic and technological skills.
- Game development can be a viable career choice, with many job opportunities to explore.
- Developing games can provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, as it involves solving complex problems and creating unique experiences for players.
- Through game development, you can bring enjoyment and excitement to others, contributing to a growing industry with dedicated fans.
What Skills Do Game Developers Need
Game developers need a range of skills to succeed in the industry:
- Programming skills in languages like C++, C#, or Python are crucial for implementing game mechanics and AI.
- Art and design skills are essential for creating visually appealing games with engaging experiences.
- Communication and teamwork skills are necessary for collaborating effectively with other developers and professionals in the industry.
- Project management and organization skills can help streamline the development process and ensure timely completion of projects.
What Game Developer Specializations are There
Game developers can choose to specialize in various aspects:
- Game design focuses on creating the core mechanics and rules of a game, along with its user interface and other gameplay elements.
- Programming involves writing code to bring the game design to life and implementing features like AI, physics, and more.
- Level design is centered on creating game environments, including textures, 3D models, and other artistic assets.
- Audio design revolves around composing music, sound effects, and other auditory elements to enhance the gaming experience.
How AI is Changing Game Development
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a rapidly developing field with significant implications for game development:
- AI can be used to create more realistic and intelligent non-player characters (NPCs), leading to more immersive and dynamic gaming experiences.
- Procedural content generation, powered by AI, can help developers create diverse game environments, quests, and other content faster and more efficiently.
- AI-driven analytics can provide valuable insights into player behavior, enabling developers to fine-tune game mechanics and improve overall gameplay.
- Future advancements in AI could lead to entirely new game genres and innovative experiences for players to explore.
In the sections below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best free resources on YouTube for learning game development, including courses and tutorials from Zenva and other reputable sources. These resources cover various aspects of game development, offering comprehensive guidance and insights to help you embark on your game development journey successfully.
Zenva’s Complete Course – Unity for Beginners
The Complete Course – Unity for Beginners created by Zenva Academy is a comprehensive video course that teaches aspiring game developers how to use Unity from scratch. This step-by-step tutorial is perfect for those who have little to no experience with Unity and are looking to develop their skills and understand the game development process. Covering the essential aspects of Unity, you’ll learn how to create 3D games and interactive applications, making this course an invaluable resource to kickstart your game development journey.
COMPLETE Unity Game Development Course
Unity Game Development Course for Beginners is an excellent starting point for aspiring game developers who want to learn Unity. This comprehensive course covers the fundamentals of Unity game engine, from basic functionality to advanced techniques. Students will become proficient in Unity and will also get access to a free game asset. This course is ideal for those who have little to no experience with Unity and want to develop their skills and understand the game development process.
Level Design for Beginners
The Level Design Course offers valuable insights into the basics of creating engaging game levels. This course, available on the Zenva Academy website, focuses on essential principles and techniques related to level design, including layout, pacing, storytelling, and art direction. With these skills, you’ll be able to design levels that keep players immersed and engaged, enhancing the overall gaming experience and the success of your projects.
Game Maker’s Toolkit Unity Course
Challenges of Learning Unity introduces the Game Maker’s Toolkit Unity course, made possible by Patreon supporters. This video discusses the difficulties associated with learning Unity, a leading game engine, and gives suggestions and strategies for overcoming these challenges. The course aims to help set aspiring game developers on the right path to mastering Unity and creating amazing games.
2D Game Development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
In the 2D Game Development Course, you’ll discover how to create 2D games using HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript, without relying on any frameworks or libraries. The course covers essential topics like sprite animation, collision detection, and state management, making it perfect for anyone interested in the fundamentals of 2D web-based game development. With these skills, you’ll be able to create engaging and entertaining games that run on various web browsers and devices.
Beginner’s Guide to Game Development
The How to Get Started with Game Development video is an excellent resource for those who want to make a game but aren’t sure where to begin. This informative video guides you through the first steps of game development, offering tips and insights on various aspects of the process. Supported by Patreon, the creator offers additional video content for those who want to delve deeper into learning game development.
Basic Steps to Become a Game Developer
Basic Steps to Become a Game Developer is the first video in a game development course that covers the essential steps necessary to become a game developer. This video discusses introductory topics, setting the groundwork for more advanced concepts and techniques. Although the content of the video is not explicitly detailed, it likely tackles important aspects of game development, such as choosing the right game engine, learning programming languages, and understanding the game development process.
Game Development from Scratch
The Game Development from Scratch tutorial series is designed for individuals with little to no programming experience, teaching game development from the ground up. Covering various topics related to game development, this series offers valuable insights and guidance on essential skills and techniques needed to bring your game ideas to life.
Game Development with Godot Game Engine
On the Game Development Center YouTube channel, you can find tutorials on making games with the Godot Game Engine. This channel focuses on game theory and project management, helping you tackle the challenges that come with creating your own games. To further immerse yourself in the game development community, you’re encouraged to join the channel’s Discord community to discuss game development with like-minded individuals.
Personal Game Development Journey
In the Learning Game Development with Unity video, the author shares their personal journey of learning game development using Unity with no prior experience. Condensing their entire progress into a 6-minute video, the author encourages viewers to subscribe for more content, offering an insight into the challenges and successes experienced while learning game development. This video can inspire you and provide a glimpse into the process and commitment required to excel in this field.
Conclusion
If you have ever dreamed of becoming a game developer, these free YouTube video courses are a fantastic starting point. With a wide variety of topics and meticulous guidance, these resources provide you with the skills you need to bring your ideas to life.
However, if you’re looking for an organized and beginner-friendly learning path, our recommendation is to explore Zenva’s Unity Mini-Degree program.
Did you come across any errors in this tutorial? Please let us know by completing this form and we’ll look into it!
FINAL DAYS: Unlock coding courses in Unity, Godot, Unreal, Python and more.
