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25 Best Game Programming Courses Online

Choosing a game programming course can be daunting, especially when you need to balance cost, depth of content and the platform you intend to develop for. This comparison page lists twenty‑five online courses from three providers – edX, Udemy and Coursera – with prices ranging from $5.00 to $199.99. The courses span beginner‑friendly introductions, language‑specific pathways and engine‑focused training for Unity and Unreal. At the top of our ranking you’ll find the $5.00 edX offering ‘From Code to Creation: Mastering Game Programming’, which provides a low‑cost entry point with a broad overview. Higher‑priced options such as Udemy’s $199.99 ‘Learning Path: C++ Game Programming’ target learners seeking intensive C++ instruction, while several Coursera courses at $49 each focus on specific tools like Unity, Unreal or GameMaker. Consider your prior experience, preferred language and target platform when selecting the most suitable programme.

Courses compared
25
Price range
$5.00 – $199.99
Providers
edX, Udemy, Coursera
Last updated
18 Sep 2026
How these 25 courses were chosen

Every course below is a real, currently listed course from edX, Udemy, Coursera, matched to "Game Programming" by our catalog and ordered by our CourseAsk score. Courses whose own title names the topic rank above those only tagged with it.

The grade on each entry scores how much the provider publishes about the course before you pay — the length and detail of the description, whether it lists learning outcomes and objectives — and whether a named university or institution stands behind it. A is fully documented and institution-backed; E is little more than a title and a price. Courses with almost nothing published are left ungraded rather than marked down, because an unknown course and a poor one are not the same thing.

There are no star ratings on this page — the course feeds we license do not include them, and we would rather leave a column out than fill it with a number we cannot stand behind. What we do have is price: these range from $5.00 to $199.99, as listed by the provider when we last updated the page.

  1. 1
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C Lowest price here University-backed

    From Code to Creation: Mastering Game Programming

    Offered by HP

    From coding dynamic game mechanics and optimizing performance to understanding AI integration and developing interactive experiences, delve into the intricacies of game programming with this comprehensive course from HP....

    $5.00
    listed price
  2. 2
    Udemy MOOC / Non-credit Grade C

    Learning Path: C++ Game Programming

    Are you looking to learn C++ from scratch and simultaneously build stunning and interactive games? Explore this Learning Path and you'll get what you're looking for. Start as an amateur and rise as a pro by taking this L...

    $199.99
    listed price
  3. 3
    Udemy MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    Learn to Code Penguin Maze Game with Scratch 3

    Offered by MIT

    Di kelas online ini, kita akan belajar tentang code, coding, mulai dari menyusun blok kode seperti bermain lego berwarna-warni. Sangat mudah dan menyenangkan seperti sambil bermain. Cocok untuk pemula yang belum punya da...

    $19.99
    listed price
  4. 4
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    The Sun and the Total Eclipse of August 2017

    Offered by University of Colorado Boulder

    A total eclipse is one of the most spectacular sights you can ever see! It looks like the end of the world may be at hand. There is a black hole in the sky where the sun should be. Pink flames of solar prominences and lo...

    $49.00
    listed price
  5. 5
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    iOS Project: Transreality Game

    Offered by University of California, Irvine

    Students will produce a networked game that will leverage sensors on the phone to create a unique gaming experience. The focus of the game will be to make it physical through real-world gestures, motion and knowledge of...

    $49.00
    listed price
  6. 6
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    C++ Class Development

    Offered by University of Colorado System

    This course is the third course in the specialization about learning how to develop video games using the C++ programming language and the Unreal game engine on Windows or Mac. This course assumes you have the prerequisi...

    $49.00
    listed price
  7. 7
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    Sustainable Neighborhoods

    Offered by Johns Hopkins University

    This course will provide students with an introduction to tools and concepts for a better understanding of the importance of the neighborhood as part of a sustainable city. This will include a careful look at the natural...

    $49.00
    listed price
  8. 8
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    Moving, Shooting, and Debugging in GameMaker

    Offered by University of Colorado System

    This course is the second course in the specialization about learning how to develop video games using GameMaker on Windows or Mac. Why use GameMaker instead of using C# and Unity or C++ and Unreal*? Learning to develop...

    $49.00
    listed price
  9. 9
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    Introduction to C++ Programming and Unreal

    Offered by University of Colorado System

    This course is all about starting to learn how to develop video games using the C++ programming language and the Unreal Engine on Windows or Mac. This course assumes you have previous programming experience in some other...

    $49.00
    listed price
  10. 10
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    C++ Programming for Unreal Game Development

    Offered by University of Colorado System

    This Specialization is intended for intermediate programmers who want to learn how to program Unreal Engine games using C++. Learners should complete at least one other programming Specialization on Coursera (see https:/...

    $49.00
    listed price
  11. 11
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    C# Programming for Unity Game Development

    Offered by University of Colorado System

    This specialization is intended for beginning programmers who want to learn how to program Unity games using C#. The first course assumes no programming experience, and throughout the 4 courses in the specialization you'...

    $49.00
    listed price
  12. 12
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade A University-backed

    Game Development with GameMaker

    Offered by University of Colorado System

    This specialization is intended for aspiring game developers who want to learn how to develop games using GameMaker. GameMaker lets us develop games using both a visual programming (drag and drop) approach and a scriptin...

    $49.00
    listed price
  13. 13
    Udemy MOOC / Non-credit Grade B University-backed

    தமிழ் - தெலுங்கு இலக்கண ஒப்பாய்வுகள்: செய்தன, செய்யவேண்டியன

    Offered by Tamil University

    முனைவர் சி.சாவித்ரி அவர்கள் தமிழ் - தெலுங்கு இலக்கண ஒப்பாய்வுகள் : செய்தன, செய்யவேண்டியன எனும் பாடப்பொருளின் ஆசானாக அமைகின்றார். இவர், உதவிப்பேராசிரியர், இந்திய மொழிகள் பள்ளி மற்றும் ஒப்பிலக்கியப் பள்ளி, தமிழ்ப் பல்கலைக்...

    $19.99
    listed price
  14. 14
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B University-backed

    More Problem Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games

    Offered by University of Alberta

    This course continues the introduction to computer science and programming in Python, that was begun in the Coursera course: Problem Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games (PVG). Upon successful completion of this...

    $49.00
    listed price
  15. 15
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B

    Advanced Tower Defense Mechanics and Customization

    Offered by Packt

    This course features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the co...

    $49.00
    listed price
  16. 16
    Coursera Certificate Grade B

    Learn Unity Game Development - Build Six Games with Unity

    Offered by Packt

    Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as yo...

    $49.00
    listed price
  17. 17
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B

    Intermediate C# Concepts and 2D Game Development

    Offered by Packt

    This course features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the co...

    $49.00
    listed price
  18. 18
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B University-backed

    ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy

    Offered by Creative Time & Duke University

    Students of this course may try their hand at their own public art interventions, or simply focus on learning from the theory of public practice and its recent history. Designed by artist and Duke professor, Pedro Lasch,...

    $49.00
    listed price
  19. 19
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B University-backed

    Programming with Scratch

    Offered by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

    Learning coding is not only about understanding the programming language being used, but also developing important computational thinking skills, which are useful for problem solving across many disciplinary areas. In th...

    $49.00
    listed price
  20. 20
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B

    Unity Shader Programming: Create & Optimize

    Offered by EDUCBA

    Build practical Unity shader programming skills and gain greater control over real-time graphics, from foundational shader properties to advanced visual effects. You’ll begin by understanding the Unity shader pipeline, d...

    $49.00
    listed price
  21. 21
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B

    Master Unity GUI: Design, Animate & Script Menus

    Offered by EDUCBA

    Create engaging, responsive, and interactive user interfaces for Unity games with a practical, project-based learning experience. In this course, you will learn how to design Unity GUI elements, build organized interface...

    $49.00
    listed price
  22. 22
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B

    MonoGame Development: Design, Build & Animate Games

    Offered by EDUCBA

    Learn to design, build, animate, and refine interactive games with C# and the MonoGame framework. This project-based course takes you from installing MonoGame and creating a project to developing a complete Brick Breaker...

    $49.00
    listed price
  23. 23
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B

    Building the Core Mechanics of a Pinball Game in UE

    Offered by EDUCBA

    Build a fully playable Pinball game in Unreal Engine using Blueprint visual scripting while developing practical game mechanics, interactive systems, and polished user interfaces. Through four hands-on modules, you'll pr...

    $49.00
    listed price
  24. 24
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B

    Unity: Design & Deform Meshes for 3D Geometry Control

    Offered by EDUCBA

    Master advanced Unity mesh generation techniques by learning how to construct, modify, and transform 3D geometry through procedural workflows. In Designing and Deforming Meshes in Unity: Construct, Modify, and Transform...

    $49.00
    listed price
  25. 25
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B

    Apply OpenGL Rendering Pipeline Architecture

    Offered by EDUCBA

    This Specialization provides a comprehensive, architecture-driven pathway into modern OpenGL and real-time graphics programming. Learners progress from foundational concepts such as GPU communication, vertex buffers, and...

    $49.00
    listed price

Best Game Programming Courses Online compared

# Course Provider Offered by Price
1 From Code to Creation: Mastering Game Programming edX HP $5.00 View →
2 Learning Path: C++ Game Programming Udemy $199.99 View →
3 Learn to Code Penguin Maze Game with Scratch 3 Udemy MIT $19.99 View →
4 The Sun and the Total Eclipse of August 2017 Coursera University of Colorado Boulder $49.00 View →
5 iOS Project: Transreality Game Coursera University of California, Irvine $49.00 View →
6 C++ Class Development Coursera University of Colorado System $49.00 View →
7 Sustainable Neighborhoods Coursera Johns Hopkins University $49.00 View →
8 Moving, Shooting, and Debugging in GameMaker Coursera University of Colorado System $49.00 View →
9 Introduction to C++ Programming and Unreal Coursera University of Colorado System $49.00 View →
10 C++ Programming for Unreal Game Development Coursera University of Colorado System $49.00 View →
11 C# Programming for Unity Game Development Coursera University of Colorado System $49.00 View →
12 Game Development with GameMaker Coursera University of Colorado System $49.00 View →
13 தமிழ் - தெலுங்கு இலக்கண ஒப்பாய்வுகள்: செய்தன, செய்யவேண்டியன Udemy Tamil University $19.99 View →
14 More Problem Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games Coursera University of Alberta $49.00 View →
15 Advanced Tower Defense Mechanics and Customization Coursera Packt $49.00 View →
16 Learn Unity Game Development - Build Six Games with Unity Coursera Packt $49.00 View →
17 Intermediate C# Concepts and 2D Game Development Coursera Packt $49.00 View →
18 ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy Coursera Creative Time & Duke University $49.00 View →
19 Programming with Scratch Coursera The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology $49.00 View →
20 Unity Shader Programming: Create & Optimize Coursera EDUCBA $49.00 View →
21 Master Unity GUI: Design, Animate & Script Menus Coursera EDUCBA $49.00 View →
22 MonoGame Development: Design, Build & Animate Games Coursera EDUCBA $49.00 View →
23 Building the Core Mechanics of a Pinball Game in UE Coursera EDUCBA $49.00 View →
24 Unity: Design & Deform Meshes for 3D Geometry Control Coursera EDUCBA $49.00 View →
25 Apply OpenGL Rendering Pipeline Architecture Coursera EDUCBA $49.00 View →

Prices shown are the provider's listed price when we last updated this page. Confirm on their site before enrolling.

What the prices here tell you

The 25 priced courses on this page run from $5.00 to $199.99, with the middle of the range around $49.00 — a spread of $194.99. That is a wide gap for one subject. A higher price on this page usually reflects who is behind the course rather than how much material it contains, so it is worth opening two or three at different price points and comparing their syllabus before deciding.

Who is behind these courses

These courses come from edX, Udemy and Coursera. The platforms differ in how they sell: some charge once per course, others expect a subscription, and the listed price is not always what you pay at checkout after a promotion. 10 of these are produced by a named university or institution, including HP, MIT and University of Colorado Boulder — which usually means a fixed syllabus and a recognised certificate, rather than an individual instructor’s own course.

Before you enrol

Open the provider’s own page and check three things this comparison cannot tell you: when the course was last updated, what the syllabus actually covers in its later sections, and what recent learners say. Prices shown here are the provider’s listed price when we last rebuilt this page on 18 September 2026 — they change often, and a promotion can move them substantially. We earn a commission if you enrol through our links, which costs you nothing and never affects the order courses appear in.

Frequently asked questions

What programming languages are covered by the courses on this page?
The listings include courses that teach C++, C# and Scratch. Some courses focus on general programming concepts, while others are tied to a specific language for game development. The language emphasis reflects the requirements of the associated game engine or platform.
Are there any courses that focus on specific game engines?
Yes. Several Coursera courses are dedicated to Unity and Unreal development, and one addresses GameMaker. These courses teach engine-specific workflows and scripting, helping learners apply language skills within the chosen environment.
How do the price points differ across providers?
Prices range from $5.00 for the edX introductory course up to $199.99 for Udemy’s intensive C++ pathway. Most Coursera options are priced at $49.00, offering a mid‑range alternative between the low‑cost and premium offerings.
Which course would be suitable for a complete beginner?
For someone with little or no programming experience, the $5.00 edX course ‘From Code to Creation: Mastering Game Programming’ provides a broad, low‑cost introduction. It covers fundamental concepts without assuming prior knowledge, making it a practical starting point before moving to more specialised or advanced courses.

Keep looking