Game Mechanics Design Program
Learn to create captivating gaming experiences through innovative mechanics, balanced gameplay systems, and interactive design principles.
Program Structure
Our comprehensive game mechanics design program takes you through a journey from fundamentals to mastery with hands-on projects at every stage.
Foundations of Game Mechanics
Start with the building blocks of interactive design. You'll explore core gameplay loops, player motivation psychology, and the mathematical underpinnings of balanced systems. This module breaks down iconic games to understand what makes them tick and why certain mechanics resonate with players.
Systems Design & Balancing
Dive into the art and science of creating interconnected game systems. You'll learn economy design, progression curves, and risk/reward balancing. This hands-on module includes creating and testing your own systems while receiving critical feedback from industry professionals who've shipped successful titles.
Player Experience & Feedback Loops
Master the emotional journey of players through your mechanics. This module covers feedback systems, juicy interactions, and accessibility considerations. You'll analyze and implement mechanics that create "flow states" and meaningful choices while avoiding common design pitfalls that frustrate players.
Capstone Project
Put everything together in your own original game concept. Working with a small team, you'll take a mechanics-first approach to game design, prototyping and iterating on core gameplay. You'll receive mentorship throughout and showcase your finished project to industry professionals at our end-of-program showcase event.
Meet Your Lead Instructor
Mark Reynolds brings over 15 years of experience in game mechanics design, having worked on titles for Ubisoft, Riot Games, and several successful indie studios. His specialty lies in creating systems that are easy to learn but difficult to master – the holy grail of game design.
"I'm not just teaching theory here. Every concept is immediately applied through practical exercises. By the end of this program, you'll have the skills and portfolio pieces to show prospective employers exactly what you can bring to their games."
Program Highlights
Our game mechanics design program offers unique advantages that prepare you for a successful career in the industry.
Portfolio-Focused
Graduate with 4-6 polished portfolio pieces that demonstrate your specific skills in mechanics design. Each project addresses different aspects of gameplay systems that employers look for in candidates.
Industry Partners
Benefit from our partnerships with studios across Australia and globally. Get direct feedback on your projects from working professionals and access exclusive networking opportunities with hiring managers.
Flexible Learning
Our hybrid approach combines scheduled live sessions with self-paced learning modules. Can't make a session? No problem – everything is recorded and our community platform keeps discussions going 24/7.
Rapid Prototyping Skills
Learn to quickly test gameplay ideas without getting bogged down in production. We teach paper prototyping, rapid digital tools, and when to use each approach for maximum efficiency.
Player-Centered Approach
Develop a deep understanding of player psychology and how to craft mechanics that deliver specific emotional experiences – from thrill and surprise to satisfaction and mastery.
Technical Foundations
Get comfortable with the technical aspects of implementing mechanics. While not a programming course, you'll learn enough to effectively communicate with developers and understand technical constraints.
Career Preparation
Receive personalized career coaching, interview preparation, and portfolio reviews. Our graduate placement rate is over 85% within six months of program completion.
Student Success Story
The team behind "Orbital Descent" started as strangers in our program and ended up creating one of the most innovative puzzle-platformers of the year. Their core gravity-shifting mechanic, developed during Module 2, was so compelling that they secured indie funding before even completing the program.
What started as a classroom exercise evolved into a full commercial release now available on Steam with "Very Positive" reviews. The team credits our systematic approach to mechanics iteration and playtesting protocols for helping them refine their concept.
Read More Success StoriesThe program completely changed how I think about game design. Before, I was focused on story and aesthetics. Now I understand that great mechanics are what keep players coming back. The iterative design process we learned helped me land my dream job at Blizzard, where I'm now working on systems for their next major title.
