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Season 52
52x1
The Fundamentals of Game Design
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Meet your new instructor: Will Wright, visionary game designer behind The Sims. In your first lesson, you’ll learn the core tenets of Will’s multidisciplinary game design process.
52x2
Generating Game Concepts
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
For Will, the natural and social worlds are a rich source of material. Learn what inspired the creation of The Sims and Spore, and how to find and hone your own ideas through wide-ranging research.
52x3
Early Prototyping
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Rapid prototyping is a central component of Will’s game design process. Explore various types of prototyping and learn how to “find the fun” in the early stages of the design process.
52x4
The Relationship Between Story and Games
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Games are capable of producing emotions that other media cannot, since they allow players to create their own stories. Will teaches you how to create a sense of agency and responsibility in your players and offer them expressive tools.
52x5
Exploring Player Psychology
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Will believes game development is as much about programming a player’s brain as it is about programming the game itself. Learn Will’s strategies for creating compelling games that take player psychology into account.
52x6
Design Player-Centered Experiences
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Will believes that failure is critical to helping players learn, and making failure fun is a key part of game design. Learn how Will keeps players entertained throughout their experience.
52x7
Develop a Game Language
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Games use a system of signs and symbols to communicate meaning to the player. Will teaches how to create and use your own “game language” to educate players about the rules of your game world.
52x8
Designing a Visual Aesthetic
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Your visual aesthetic helps define your game language and impacts your overall design. Will shares tips for discovering your own aesthetic and collaborating with art directors and illustrators to achieve your vision.
52x9
Game Mechanics
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Game mechanics govern the interactions within your game system. Will teaches you how to identify mechanics in other games, and how to choose the game mechanics that will enhance your player experiences.
52x10
Game Demo: Morey
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Watch while Will shares his insights and perspectives with an aspiring game designer as they review her latest prototype and he gives her suggestions for areas of focus and iteration.
52x11
Iteration and Scoping
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
An iterative process can continually improve your design. Learn Will’s strategies for scoping and iterating, including his helpful “feature triage” method.
52x12
Prototyping Case Study: Proxi
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Will and his programmer reveal and iterate on prototypes they are developing for their new game, Proxi. Witness how collaboration and prototyping can influence design decisions.
52x13
Playtesting
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Player feedback is your most valuable resource as a designer, and the playtest is your first chance to get inside your player’s mind. Will teaches you to use playtesting to identify your audience, interpret feedback, and more.
52x14
Designing a Sound Aesthetic
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Great sound can improve the experience of your game exponentially. Learn how to utilize music and sound design to expand your player’s imagination and heighten their emotional experience.
52x15
Pitching Ideas
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
When it comes to pitching ideas, one size does not fit all. Will shares tips for structuring your initial pitch and modifying your message to connect with diverse audiences.
52x16
Game Demo: Flooded Market
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Will provides feedback and advice to a game designer who is in the late stages of the game design process.
52x17
Choosing and Understanding Your Platform
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
When deciding what platform your game will use, you’re also deciding which audiences it will reach. Will teaches you what to consider—such as independence, monetization, and hardware—when making this choice.
52x18
System Design
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Understanding the fundamentals of system design will help you build more robust interactions in your game. Will shares his tips for what to take into account when designing an interactive system for your players.
52x19
Leadership and Collaboration
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
The lead designer sets the tone for the rest of the team and helps ensure a smooth production process. Learn Will’s leadership techniques and why he believes that creating a collaborative environment is so important.
52x20
The Future of Game Design
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
What’s next? Will speculates on the future and advises game designers to stay open-minded in the wake of technological advancements.
52x21 Season finale
Final Thoughts
Episode overview
Air date
Dec 18, 2018
Will ends his class encouraging you to use your new toolset, outlook, and approach to create something innovative and surprising.

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