Start here! Game Dev 101 is a one-day games development course that teaches the fundamentals of creating video games completely from scratch. The course centres around discussion, and Dan regularly makes comparisons to video games that are known and loved by all. By the end of the day, you'll understand how to get up-and-running in a few different game-making environments, resulting in the skills and confidence to explore making games further.


About the course

The course covers:

- Exploring the world of video games, from both the technical and creative sides
- Analysing popular video games: why does Sonic jump the way he does? Why is it fun to play? How can we replicate this?
- Why the simplest games can often be the most fun to play – then you'll make your own!
- Getting comfortable in a few different game-making environments


This course starts at 10:00am and finishes at 5:00pm. Lunch is served at 12:30pm.

Who is this course for?

Complete beginners with no experience of coding or programming, who are interested in learning to make video games. The course is aimed at adults, but will be suitable for many younger people too (under 14s must be accompanied by an adult).

Equipment you'll need

Please bring a laptop computer with Windows, Linux or OS X installed. You will not need to install any software, but you should have a modern web browser. Our preference is the latest version of Firefox or Google Chrome, but the latest Internet Explorer or Opera will be fine too. If you don’t have access to a computer please let us know in advance so we can arrange one for you. If you feel more comfortable using an external mouse, please bring one too.

All software used during the course is free and cross-platform. We will provide you with this in advance.

Lesson content will be provided on the day, and includes a huge collection of license-free videogame assets from kenny.nl that attendees can use in their own future work.

Cost

The cost is £120 (inclusive of VAT). This covers:

- One day of tuition
- Lunch and refreshments

We have a limited number of bursary places available on this course for a reduced rate of £80. These are open to people who are underemployed, unemployed or full-time students. Please contact us (details below) for more information.

Your Tutor

Dan is a BAFTA award-winning creative technologist, digital artist and games developer from Manchester. After spending three years working for BBC Children's and then a year in BBC Research & Development, Dan now works as a creative tech gun-for-hire, building big interesting things with code and technology that people can play with, make stuff with, or dance in front of. When he's not doing that, by night he's also a performing live visual artist, creating eye-melting improvised live visuals for concerts, festivals and beyond - most recently via the Algorave movement, and regularly at chiptune and electronica shows, most notably doing headline visuals at last year's Superbyte Festival.

He's also an experienced technical educator and serial hack event organiser - he instigated the Manchester Game Jam which still runs today, and also teaches Gamedev 101 courses as well as regular digital creativity workshops and all sorts in between. Dan has previously spoken for the likes of Resonate, Reasons To Be Creative, BLAB, Code Mesh, and countless others.

Booking your place

For your convenience, we offer a number of ways to book:

- Book via our website www.madlab.org.uk/courses
- Invoice or PayPal - by phoning 0161 839 6324 or emailing office@madlab.org.uk
- Payment by cheque - made out to MadLab CIC, and sent to MadLab 36-40 Edge Street, -Manchester M4 1HN
- We also accept card payments in person