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Visual Development and Audio Design in Games

This course is part of Epic Games Game Design Professional Certificate

Instructors: Christopher Main

3,275 already enrolled

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

33 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

33 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Unreal Engine

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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Build your Design and Product expertise

This course is part of the Epic Games Game Design Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

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 from Epic Games

There are 5 modules in this course

In this course, you’ll be introduced to visual and audio development for games. You’ll learn about 3D models, animation, visual effects (VFX), and sound effects (SFX).

This course covers a variety of art-related topics that will help in your process to design, prototype, and better visualize new ideas. By the end, you’ll be able to: - Identify key art styles, lighting, and camera features used in games; - Create, modify, paint, and UV 3D models; - Use and create Niagara VFX and SFX for game design; - Understand technical animation; - How to implement animation in Unreal Engine.

Module details

Welcome to the Introduction to Art Styles module! In this module we will explore Art Styles, Camera Perspectives and Lighting in Game Design. This module will help you breakdown the art style of a game and how it can impact game design.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment2 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 27 minutes

Course Introduction2 minutes
Introduction to Art Styles2 minutes
Realism vs Stylized3 minutes
Camera Perspectives4 minutes
Camera Mechanics4 minutes
Stylistic Choices2 minutes
Lighting in Game Design4 minutes
About Your Instructors (and Our Unreal Projects)3 minutes
Introduction to Art Styles Review2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Art Styles Graded Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Art Styles in Games10 minutes
Lighting in Game Design Examples10 minutes

In this module we will cover technical animation and Unreal Engine's animation systems. We will create a new project as a foundation to be used for future game prototyping. In this project, we will import an assortment of Mixamo assets as a base animation kit.

What's included

28 videos1 assignment

28 videosTotal 133 minutes

Animation Overview1 minute
Animation Blueprints2 minutes
Animation Assets4 minutes
Procedural animation and motion capture3 minutes
Project setup5 minutes
Mixamo setup2 minutes
Unarmed blendspace8 minutes
Animation blueprint: Event Graph5 minutes
Animation blueprint: Anim Graph6 minutes
Character Input: Strafe6 minutes
Character Input: Dodge Blend Space4 minutes
Character Input: Dodge Implementation6 minutes
Character Input: Dodge Polish6 minutes
Jump5 minutes
Shield Blend Space6 minutes
Two-handed Blend Space6 minutes
Rifle Blend Space4 minutes
Bow Blend Space6 minutes
Stealth Blend Space5 minutes
Animation stance7 minutes
Idle Poses3 minutes
Basic Attack Animations3 minutes
Basic Attack Montages4 minutes
Animation Blend per Bone5 minutes
Block Montages3 minutes
Air Dash9 minutes
Code Comments7 minutes
Introduction to Animation Review3 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Introduction to Animation Graded Quiz30 minutes

In this module we will cover what is a 3D model and how it is broken down in to triangles. We will review optimization techniques to help make a game run with smooth framerates. We will walkthrough the development of a 3D model from sketch, creation and implementation. We will import addition free 3D models to use in our re-design of the Stylized Egypt level.

What's included

14 videos2 assignments1 discussion prompt

14 videosTotal 55 minutes

Introduction to 3D Modeling2 minutes
What is a 3D model?3 minutes
Optimization Techniques6 minutes
Importing Weapons8 minutes
Weapon Swap Setup3 minutes
Weapon Implementation A4 minutes
Weapon Implementation B3 minutes
Unreal Engine Modeling Tools2 minutes
3D Modeling Pre-Production6 minutes
3D Modeling Production6 minutes
Environment Assets5 minutes
3D Model Code Comments2 minutes
Introduction to 3D Modeling Review2 minutes
Assignment: Stylized Egypt Redesign2 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 135 minutes

World Building Challenge: Customizing the Stylized Egypt Level90 minutes
Introduction to 3D Modeling Graded Quiz45 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Stylized Egypt Redesign Share10 minutes

In this module we will review what the Niagara VFX system is in Unreal Engine 5 and how it is broken down in to Niagara Emitters and Niagara Systems. We will also take a look a implementing common audio design components through your level and character.

What's included

10 videos1 assignment

10 videosTotal 48 minutes

Overview of Visual Effects & Audio Design1 minute
VFX in Unreal Engine6 minutes
Using Niagara Systems6 minutes
Common Niagara Emitter settings7 minutes
Niagara Compatible Materials for Mesh1 minute
SFX Imports2 minutes
Ambient Audio12 minutes
Footstep Audio Design7 minutes
Attack Audio Design4 minutes
Visual Effects (VFX) and Audio Design Review2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Introduction to Visual Effects (VFX) and Audio Design Graded Quiz30 minutes

In this module, you’ll redesign the Stylized Egypt level into a multi-purpose template map for six game modes: Stealth Survival, Platformer, Capture the Flag, Action Combat, Crafting, and Story. You’ll plan layout, flow, theme, and ambiance (including audio/VFX ideas) so the level can be duplicated and adapted for prototyping in later courses.