--- title: 25 Neat Resources for Learning Video Game Design (for Autistic Adults) description: Do you dream of designing video games? Here’s a list of useful resources for learning video game design for autistic adults who want to do more than play. image: https://neuronav.org/hubfs/38.png --- [Skip to content](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/resources-for-learning-video-game-design-autistic-adults#main-content) [![nn\_logo\_wide\_white](https://neuronav.org/hs-fs/hubfs/nn_logo_wide_white.png?width=2641&height=640&name=nn_logo_wide_white.png "nn_logo_wide_white")](https://www.neuronav.org/) - [For Individuals](https://neuronav.org/families) - [For Regional Centers](https://neuronav.org/regional-centers) - Knowledge - [Self-Determination Blog](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog) - [Events](https://neuronav.org/events) - [Newsletter Sign Up](https://neuronav.org/newslettersignup) - About Us - [Team](https://neuronav.org/about-us) - [Careers](https://careers.neuronav.org/home) - [GET STARTED](https://neuronav.org/free-consultation-main) - [Independent Living](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/independent-living), - [Self-Advocacy](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/self-advocacy), - [Neurodiversity](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/neurodiversity) # 25 Neat Resources for Learning Video Game Design (for Autistic Adults) ![A person wearing headphones and playing video games on a colorful desktop PC](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/38.png) Video games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. There are lots of [video games that are good for autistic adults](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/8-video-games-that-are-good-for-autistic-adults) to play, but what if you want to actually *make* the games? We’ve collected a whole bunch of resources on video game design for autistic adults, from online courses to free game-building engines and more. Here, you’ll find everything you need to start designing your dream. ## Learn Game Design Basics No matter what your dream job is, you have to start somewhere! Virtual courses, videos, and books are a great way to learn the basics, and there are plenty of free video game design resources available online.  ### Online Courses Online courses can provide a great structure and help you build a strong foundation for pursuing your passion. Here are some courses you can access for free:  - [Coursera: Introduction to Game Design](https://www.coursera.org/learn/game-design) - [MITx: Introduction to Game Design](https://www.edx.org/learn/game-design/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-introduction-to-game-design) - [Coursera: Character Design for Video Games](https://www.coursera.org/learn/game-character-design) - [Codecademy: Introduction to Game Development](https://www.codecademy.com/learn/introduction-to-game-development) ### Books & Guides There’s a whole world of literature dedicated to creating levels, characters, and games as a whole. Here are some books and online guides to check out: - [Designing Games: A Guide to Engineering Experiences by Tynan Sylvester](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16144499-designing-games) - [Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games by Tracy Fullerton](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2966354-game-design-workshop) - [The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses](https://www.inventoridigiochi.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/art-of-game-design.pdf) - [MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research](https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf) ### Videos If you prefer a more visual approach to learning, these YouTube channels have great instructional content about video game design and creation: - [Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games](https://www.youtube.com/@sora_sakurai_en) - [Extra Credits](https://www.youtube.com/@extracredits) ## Practice Your Skills The key to learning any new skill or trade is practice, practice, and more practice. Because video game design involves lots of creativity, technical know-how, and industry-specific  ### Stay Creative Video game design is a very creative career. It combines elements of storytelling, visual artistry, and digital creation. Here are some ways to strengthen your creative skills without a computer: - [**Make a board game:**](https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Board-Game) Creating a physical game is a great way to keep your game-designing mind active and engaged. - **Design levels on paper:** Sketch out ideas for levels or game mechanics. These can be good reference points for digital designing or simple creative exercises to experiment with new ideas. - [**Create characters:**](https://www.juegostudio.com/blog/video-game-character-design)Before you bring your video game character to the screen, there are a lot of decisions you need to make. Use a [character creation template](https://milanote.com/templates/game-design/game-character-profile) or make your own to start bringing your characters to life. - [**Storyboards:**](https://polydin.com/game-storyboarding/)These are where you map out ideas for the flow of your game from start to finish, including characters, levels, challenges, scenes, and any other details. You can ### Start Small Most game designers start by creating short, simple 2D games. Here are some free video game engines and tutorials for creating your first game: - [GameMaker](https://gamemaker.io/en) - [Godot Engine](https://godotengine.org/) - [GameMaker: Everything You Need To Know About Making A 2D Game](https://gamemaker.io/en/blog/how-to-make-a-2d-game) - [How to make a Video Game: Godot Beginner Tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOhfqjmasi0) ## Discover How to Become a Game Designer Learning how to become a video game designer takes a lot of time and effort, but it can be an incredibly rewarding job! It involves working towards the right education, developing your skills, and finding good employment opportunities.  ### Education If you plan on working on games independently, you may not need to worry too much about diplomas, degrees, or certifications. Most companies, however, have a minimum requirement for the level of schooling you need to complete before you can work for them. Here is some information about education, skills, and qualities gaming companies look for:  - [Web Developers and Digital Designers: Occupational Outlook Handbook](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm#tab-4) - [Indeed: Game Designer: Education, Requirements and Skills](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/education-for-game-designer) ### Look for Experience Opportunities There are many useful career resources for autistic adults looking to get into gaming design. Be on the lookout for internships, employment programs, and companies that have a good record of hiring neurodivergent people. It’s a good idea to practice your [interview skills](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/job-interview-tips-autistic-adults), too! Here are some opportunities for autistic adults: - [NDTech (NeuroDiversity in Tech) Summer Internship](https://pong-center.ucsd.edu/internship/) - [Ubisoft Careers: Neurodiversity](https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/careers/neurodiversity) - [Activision: Early Careers](https://careers.activision.com/early-careers) ### Learn From People in the Industry Nobody knows more about a career in video games than people who already work in that world. Here are some resources with insight and advice from neurodiverse people in the gaming industry: - [Working with Autism in the Game Industry](https://www.artstation.com/blogs/ninaklos/mppDZ/working-with-autism-in-the-game-industry) - [What Being Neurodivergent Means in Game Development](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7547aZkDzY) ## Find More Resources that Help You Achieve Your Life Goals No matter what your goals are, NeuroNav is here to help you achieve them. From helpful guides to essential disability resources, we want to give you everything you need to reach your full potential. For Californians with IDDs, the Self-Determination Program (SDP) can give you more freedom and flexibility in the supportive services you receive. NeuroNav’s [independent facilitation services](https://neuronav.org/services) can help you navigate the enrollment process and secure funding for the activities and services that will help you meet your goals. [Schedule a consultation](https://neuronav.org/free-consultation) today to discover what’s possible with NeuroNav on your team. ## Related Articles Dive into more topics and stories that resonate with your interests. Our handpicked articles offer a deeper look into the world of Self-Determination and beyond. [![Adult sitting on a couch smiling and holding a game console controller](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/8%20Video%20Games%20That%20are%20Good%20for%20Autistic%20Adults.png)](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/8-video-games-that-are-good-for-autistic-adults) [Wellness](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/wellness), [Independent Living](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/independent-living), [Neurodiversity](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/neurodiversity) ### [8 Video Games That are Good for Autistic Adults](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/8-video-games-that-are-good-for-autistic-adults) February 24, 2025 Video games are about more than killing time. They’re a source of sensory stimulation, relaxation, and social... [Read more](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/8-video-games-that-are-good-for-autistic-adults) [![A desk set up showing a graphic designer’s tools for creative brainstorming.](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/45.png)](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/resources-learning-graphic-design-autistic-adults) [Independent Living](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/independent-living), [Self-Advocacy](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/self-advocacy), [Neurodiversity](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/neurodiversity) ### [Chase Your Career Dreams: Resources for Learning Graphic Design (for Autistic Adults)](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/resources-learning-graphic-design-autistic-adults) April 22, 2025 Starting a new skill is always intimidating. For example, graphic design—which has so many theories, foundations, and... [Read more](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/resources-learning-graphic-design-autistic-adults) [![Three adults smiling and playing a board game](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/boardgame.png)](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/fun-games-for-autistic-adults) [Relationships](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/relationships), [Wellness](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/wellness), [Neurodiversity](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/neurodiversity) ### [9 Fun Games for Autistic Adults: Video Games, Board Games & More](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/fun-games-for-autistic-adults) November 12, 2024 Who doesn’t love finding a new favorite game? Games are a great way to practice problem-solving skills, socialize, and... [Read more](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/fun-games-for-autistic-adults) Check all articles ### Ready to Navigate Life with Us? Embark on your Self-Determination journey with confidence. 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