Introduction to Game Development

Harvard Extension School

CSCI E-23A

Section 1

CRN 27031

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This course focuses on the development of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) interactive games. Students explore the design and mechanics of such childhood games as Pong, Flappy Bird, Breakout, Match 3, Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, Angry Birds, and Pokémon in a quest to understand how video games more broadly are implemented. Via lectures and hands-on projects, the course explores principles of 2D graphics, animation, sound, and collision detection using languages like Lua and frameworks like LÖVE 2D. By course's end, students have programmed several of their own games and gained a thorough understanding of the basics of game design and development, and are equipped to implement the same professionally or personally.

Instructor Info

David J. Malan, PhD

Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University


Colton T. Ogden

Chief Technology Officer, From Zero LLC


Meeting Info

1/26 to 5/16

Participation Option: Online Asynchronous

In online asynchronous courses, you are not required to attend class at a particular time. Instead you can complete the course work on your own schedule each week.

Deadlines

Last day to register: January 22, 2026

Additional Time Commitments

Required sections to be arranged.

Prerequisites

CSCI E-7, CSCI E-10a, CSCI E-10b, CSCI E-50, CS50x, or prior programming experience in any language.

Notes

This course is also available for noncredit as OpenCourseWare at cs50.edx.org/games.

All Sections of this Course

CRN Section # Participation Option(s) Instructor Section Status Meets Term Dates
27031 1 Online Asynchronous Team Taught Open Jan 26 to May 16