Online Computer Game Courses Review

There are many online computer game courses and programs available for students wishing to obtain a bachelor's degree or certificate in this field. Many such programs focus on computer game design, development and production.

Overview of Online Computer Game Courses

Students interested in an online computer game education can participate in bachelor's degree or certificate programs in game design, development and production. Undergraduate students might choose to focus in practical design, design integration or storytelling. Programs may lead to a Bachelor of Science in Game Development or a certificate in video game design and development. Most online computer game courses and programs are available through private, for-profit institutions. Graduates of an online computer game program may find careers as game designers, developers or testers.

Course Requirements

All online computer game courses require access to a computer, the Internet and an e-mail account. Some courses specify that students use a PC computer with a Windows-based operating system. Many computer game design and development programs require extra software or equipment; these requirements vary by school and program.

List of Online Computer Game Courses

Introductory Programming Course

In this course, students learn basic programming language and its use in computer game design and development. Some courses focus on a specific programming language or software, but most aim to teach students to adapt to different programming languages and systems. Instructors may schedule online meetings for students to discuss common programming topics, such as loops, branches, variables, arrays, structures and functions.

Data Structures Course

This course covers the importance of organizing programming codes and data. Students may create and share projects online to demonstrate their understanding of specific data constructs, such as stacks and queues. A data structures course is usually taken in the middle a student's program.

Introductory Game Design Course

This course often includes online lectures that introduce students to all the elements of game design, such as developing a story and a cast of characters, creating and designing the game, testing and prototyping. Students may create a small part of a computer game and submit it online for instructor and peer evaluation.

Introductory Computer Graphics Course

Students in an online computer game program usually take several levels of computer graphics courses. At the introductory level, instructors may provide online lectures about graphics systems, clipping graphics, shading and modeling. Students may be assessed by creating graphics using the techniques they have learned and submitting them online through the course's website.