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Gameplay Mechanics and Interactive Systems in Game Design

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Gameplay Mechanics and Interactive Systems in Game Design

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Analyze character, camera, and control systems to enhance gameplay dynamics.

  • Design and evaluate levels, UI, and combat systems for engaging player interaction.

  • Integrate mechanics and systems to create cohesive and immersive game experiences.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

June 2026

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 8 modules in this course

This course explores the core elements of gameplay that define player experience. You will study character dynamics, camera perspectives, control schemes, user interfaces, level design, combat, and system interactions that make games engaging and playable. Understanding these principles is essential for creating immersive and professional-quality games.

Learners will gain hands-on insights into integrating gameplay mechanics with visual and control systems. The course emphasizes practical approaches, enabling designers to refine interactions, balance challenges, and enhance player engagement through well-structured systems. What sets this course apart is its blend of theory and real-world application. Industry examples, design frameworks, and practical analyses illustrate how to translate concepts into playable, interactive experiences that resonate with players. This course is ideal for aspiring game designers, developers, and level designers. No prior professional experience is required, though familiarity with basic game design concepts will be helpful. This course is part two of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization. From Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design Copyright Β© 2025 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved. Illustrations in this course are copyright Β© 2025 Scott Rogers. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This module delves into the foundational role of character design in game development, exploring how character traits, naming, and visual cues impact gameplay and player experience. Learners will examine strategies for creating memorable protagonists, supporting casts, and non-player characters, as well as techniques for integrating character actions and feedback into game mechanics. By the end, you'll understand how thoughtful character design supports engaging and stable gameplay.

What's included

1 video12 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
12 readingsβ€’Total 63 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’4 minutes
  • Personality: Do We Really Need Another Kratos?β€’7 minutes
  • Let's Get Personalβ€’8 minutes
  • Using All the Partsβ€’4 minutes
  • We Are Not Aloneβ€’5 minutes
  • When More Is Moreβ€’3 minutes
  • Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?β€’5 minutes
  • Finally, We Talk About Gameplayβ€’4 minutes
  • Why Walk When You Can Run?β€’6 minutes
  • The Art of Doing Nothingβ€’8 minutes
  • Hoists and Teetersβ€’4 minutes
  • Me and My Shadowβ€’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Character and Player Dynamics in Game Developmentβ€’16 minutes

This module delves into the critical role of camera systems in video game design, examining first-person, third-person, and AR perspectives. Learners will discover how camera control, angles, and composition impact player immersion and gameplay experience. Practical guidance is provided for choosing and implementing effective camera strategies.

What's included

1 video9 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
9 readingsβ€’Total 47 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’8 minutes
  • First-Person Cameraβ€’5 minutes
  • Third Person Cameraβ€’7 minutes
  • Giving Up Controlβ€’5 minutes
  • So, You've Decided Not to Let the Player Have Control over the Cameraβ€’4 minutes
  • Two and a Half Dβ€’3 minutes
  • AR Camerasβ€’6 minutes
  • Camera Angle Guideβ€’4 minutes
  • Other Camera Notesβ€’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Camera Mechanics in Game Developmentβ€’16 minutes

This module delves into the principles of ergonomic control design in games, focusing on intuitive input mapping and player-centered interaction. Learners will explore the impact of different control schemes, including touch and motion controls, and understand how to enhance usability and accessibility for diverse player experiences.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
5 readingsβ€’Total 27 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’7 minutes
  • You've Got the Touchβ€’5 minutes
  • Dance, Monkey, Danceβ€’4 minutes
  • Poetry in motionβ€’4 minutes
  • Character or Camera Relative?β€’7 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Mastering Game Controlsβ€’16 minutes

This module guides learners through the essentials of user interface (UI) and heads-up display (HUD) design for games, focusing on feedback mechanisms, intuitive layouts, and effective iconography. You will explore best practices for creating wireframes, designing context-sensitive prompts, and optimizing screen elements for clarity and engagement. Special attention is given to mobile game icons, font choices, and the strategic placement of HUD components.

What's included

1 video11 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
11 readingsβ€’Total 59 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’6 minutes
  • How to Create UIβ€’6 minutes
  • Targeting Reticuleβ€’5 minutes
  • Positive Messagingβ€’5 minutes
  • Context-Sensitive Promptsβ€’5 minutes
  • The Clean Screenβ€’7 minutes
  • Creating Icons for Mobile Gamesβ€’7 minutes
  • HUDs and Where to Stick 'Emβ€’5 minutes
  • Let's Pause (Screen) for a Moment…‒5 minutes
  • Let Me Load (Screen) that For You…‒5 minutes
  • A Final Word on Fontsβ€’3 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Sign Language in Game Designβ€’16 minutes

This module delves into the fundamentals of level design in game development, exploring terminology, mapping techniques, and the narrative elements that shape engaging game worlds. Learners will discover how to structure levels, set goals, and use scripting tools to bring their designs to life. Practical strategies for naming, reusing assets, and fostering player navigation are also covered.

What's included

1 video11 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
11 readingsβ€’Total 69 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’5 minutes
  • The Top 10 ClichΓ© Video Game Themesβ€’7 minutes
  • The Name Gameβ€’5 minutes
  • Mapping the Worldβ€’3 minutes
  • Goal Settingβ€’4 minutes
  • Following Procedureβ€’8 minutes
  • Re-using Re-useβ€’5 minutes
  • Sandbox Playβ€’4 minutes
  • Illusional Narrativeβ€’18 minutes
  • Wrapping Up Mappingβ€’6 minutes
  • Let's Get Fightyβ€’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Exploring Core Concepts in Game Level Designβ€’16 minutes

This module delves into the mechanics of combat in video games, exploring how character design, timing, weapon choice, and player feedback shape engaging and responsible gameplay. Learners will examine both traditional and innovative combat systems, including non-violent alternatives, and consider industry guidelines for ethical game design.

What's included

1 video14 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
14 readingsβ€’Total 79 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’4 minutes
  • 400 Quatloos on the Newcomer!β€’5 minutes
  • Put 'Em Up!β€’7 minutes
  • And a One and a Two…‒7 minutes
  • Live by the Sword…‒4 minutes
  • Now You Have to Kiss Meβ€’5 minutes
  • Dodging the Bulletβ€’8 minutes
  • State of the Art Bang Bangβ€’8 minutes
  • The Best Gun for Youβ€’6 minutes
  • Run and Gunβ€’6 minutes
  • Not Just Shootingβ€’7 minutes
  • Dang it, Jones! Where Doesn't It Hurt?β€’4 minutes
  • Death: What Is It Good For?β€’5 minutes
  • Conflict Without Combatβ€’3 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Combat Design Fundamentalsβ€’16 minutes

This module delves into the principles of enemy and boss design in video games, focusing on how form, function, and behavior contribute to engaging gameplay. Learners will explore movement styles, enemy attributes, and the importance of memorable introductions and environments. By the end, you'll understand how to create balanced and compelling adversaries that enhance player experience.

What's included

1 video10 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
10 readingsβ€’Total 57 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’4 minutes
  • Bad Behaviorβ€’5 minutes
  • How Rapid is Rapid?β€’4 minutes
  • Movement Styleβ€’5 minutes
  • Bring on the Bad Guysβ€’11 minutes
  • I Love Designing Enemiesβ€’3 minutes
  • I Hate You to Piecesβ€’5 minutes
  • Non-Enemy Enemiesβ€’7 minutes
  • Size Mattersβ€’8 minutes
  • Location, Location, Locationβ€’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Mastering Enemy and Boss Mechanicsβ€’16 minutes

This module delves into the design and implementation of game mechanics, hazards, props, and puzzles to create engaging and emotionally impactful player experiences. Learners will explore various types of mechanics, including match-three, racing, and puzzle elements, and discover how to balance challenge and flow in level design. The module also covers the role of minigames and the flexibility of mechanics in enhancing gameplay variety.

What's included

1 video9 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
9 readingsβ€’Total 48 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’7 minutes
  • Other Types of Mechanicsβ€’4 minutes
  • Racing Game Mechanicsβ€’6 minutes
  • What I Learned from Making Kids Cryβ€’7 minutes
  • The Music of Mechanicsβ€’5 minutes
  • Chip Off the Old Blockβ€’4 minutes
  • Riddle Me Thisβ€’7 minutes
  • Puzzle Me Thatβ€’5 minutes
  • Minigames and Microgamesβ€’3 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Fundamentals of Game Design and Player Experienceβ€’16 minutes

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Instructor

John Wiley & Sons
130 Coursesβ€’8,498 learners

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