Articles, Online Course, Game Design
Gabe Mac
How to Design a Video Game: A Beginner’s Guide ...

Want to build your first game but don't know where to start? Read our step-by-step guide to video game design, from core hook to the magic of "game feel."

How to Design a Video Game: A Beginner’s Guide (Step-by-Step)
Podcast, Online Course
Gabe Mac
Thinking Like a Designer - The Game Beyond ...

Learn why top game designers focus on systems rather than just "fun." Discover how to harness Cognitive Surplus to turn players into problem solvers.

Thinking Like a Designer - The Game Beyond Podcast Season 2 Episode 1
Articles
Gabe Mac
Game World Generator

Not another random generator.

This one thinks like a game designer:
• Worlds
• Gameplay verbs
• Tone & audience
• Visual direction

Here’s a sneak peek 👇
#GameDesign #WorldGenerator

Game World Generator
Articles
Gabe Mac
Why Serious Game Design is the Future of ...

Serious game design is changing how we solve problems. These games are fun but also teach important lessons. Our masterclass will show you how to make these games and use them to tackle real-world issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the history and evolution of serious game design.

  • Learn the key principles for balancing fun and educational value in game design.

  • Discover the various applications of serious games in industries like healthcare, corporate training, and education.

  • Grasp the importance of playtesting and iteration in creating effective games.

Why Serious Game Design is the Future of Problem-Solving
Online Course
Gabe Mac
Game Design Masterclass

In 2012 I set out to teach the secrets I had learned, of Serious Game Design. Since then thousands of students have taken my Basic Game Design Course online so far. Since I launched it 6 years ago, I have had lots of great feedback about how it helped inspire and change people's lives. This makes me so excited to announce the following news.

Game Design Masterclass

gamification

Do Your New Year Resolutions Keep Failing?

Do Your New Year Resolutions Keep Failing?

How to use Game Design to Solve your Failed New Year Resolution

Every year on New Year's Eve, millions of people make a promise to themselves they will not keep. It's not because they are bad people, or cheaters, or have some other deep psychological traumas from childhood that keep them from achieving their New Year's Goals. You may be reading this and thinking to yourself, yeah, I've been there. Well let's use Game Design to solve your problem!

photo by Tim Mossholder

Latest News
3 Common Worldbuilding Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
3 Common Worldbuilding Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Avoid the structural errors that ruin immersion. Discover the three most common worldbuilding mistakes in game development and how to fix them today.

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Creating Factions in Games (A Systems Approach)
Creating Factions in Games (A Systems Approach)

Discover how to design interactive factions that react dynamically to player choices. Learn the mathematics of systemic reputation and faction design.

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Fantasy Worldbuilding Checklist (Systems Edition)
Fantasy Worldbuilding Checklist (Systems Edition)

Build a cohesive fantasy world that feels alive. Access our system-focused fantasy worldbuilding checklist designed specifically for game developers.

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How to Build a Game World Players Care About (Systemic Worldbuilding)
How to Build a Game World Players Care About (Systemic Worldbuilding)

Stop writing passive lore databases. Learn how to build immersive, systemic game worlds by transforming environmental storytelling into interactive gameplay affordances.

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How Character Motivation Creates Better Stories (Avoiding Ludonarrative Dissonance)
How Character Motivation Creates Better Stories (Avoiding Ludonarrative Dissonance)

Stop letting your gameplay ruin your story. Learn how to align character motivation with mechanical systems to create deep narrative resonance.

Read more →