5 Myths About Taking a Game Design Course
If you have ever had dreams of getting into game development, rather than being a player only, you have likely considered a game design course. And then… it hits you:
- “Don’t I have to get programming down first?”
- “Isn’t game design about drawing characters and jotting down ideas?”
- “Game design is going to be replaced by AI anyhow?”
Game design is possibly one of the most flexible and forward-looking on-ramps in the games industry. Although it is not programming, it is just as important. So now let’s debunk some myths about game design courses so you can decide if it might be for you.
Myth 1: You Have to Know Programming Before Taking a Game Design Course
This is likely the biggest myth. Many newbies think they have to get up and running with designing only after they figure out programming.
Reality: Most game design courses would not expect you to know how to program at all. The learning will focus on systems thinking, on prototyping, and on gameplay mechanics. You will learn how to design blueprints, how to build levels, and the constructs that make up player experience.
Example: Game designer Maddy Thorson designed everything related to the levels of flow, emotional journey, and risk-reward loops in Celeste, without programming any original code in the engine. The programming was done later by her colleague, Noel Berry. So, no, you do not have to be a programmer to take a game design course.
Myth 2: Game Design is Just About Coming Up With Ideas
“Anyone can come up with an idea for a game.” True, but design is not about scribbling interesting and cool game ideas on a paper towel.
Reality: Game design is about the act of design. The act of creating rules, balancing mechanics, and playtesting iterations until it feels right. In a good course, you will learn about:
- Game mechanics and balancing
- Level design and flow
- Storyboarding your ideas and player journey
- User-experience and playtesting
Game designers are not “idea people.” They are designers of player experience.
Myth 3: AI Will Replace Game Designers
Given the advances of AI tools that generate assets, code snippets, or even procedurally generated levels, it’s not totally unreasonable to think, “Will game design even exist in five years?”
The reality is simple: AI can’t replicate human creativity, intuition, or storytelling. AI can help speed up workflows, but it can’t make value judgments-what makes an epic boss fight or why a narrative arc makes players teary.
In fact, in 2024, the demand for creative technologists—professionals that blend art + tech skills—grew by 48% year-over-year. The industry need for people who can design experiences is growing, not decreasing!
A game design course will give you the skills to take advantage of and create fun, engaging systems that AI can not replicate.
Myth 4: Designers Don’t Need to Know Technology
Some people believe design is all artistic and has no connection to the technical elements of development.
The reality of it is this: While you don’t need to be a programmer, learning some basics about scripting and engines makes you a stronger designer. Most courses will expose you to tools like Unity (Blueprint), Unreal Engine, or Figma prototypes.
This “technical literacy” doesn’t mean you will need to write thousands of lines of code! It simply means you will communicate and work better alongside programmers when
you have an understanding of the limitations and opportunities of the engine you are using.
Example: Many studios are now even training technical designers that are hybrid positions—a combination of creativity and coding! Taking a game design course could get you started on this path.
Myth 5: Game Programming Pays More, So Design Isn’t Worth It
Sure, game programming roles are typically offered at a slightly higher salary to begin with because of the technical nature involved. But that does not take away from the importance that design holds in a game.
Reality: There’s a massive demand for talented game designers that will only grow as designers transition to senior and lead roles. For example, indie studios rely on designers’ continued ability to manage systems and develop storytelling and user experience.
Even more interesting is that most experienced professionals recommend you start with a game design course, and then transition to programming later on, if that is your goal. Why? As a game programmer, you can gain an advantage with your understanding of the player’s perspective and how gameplay should feel during the development process.
Should I take a Game Design Course?
If you find yourself designing layouts and you constantly ask yourself, “How should this feel for the player?” or if you keep reimagining your favorite boss fights, then yes, you probably want to take a game design course.
And if you are still not sure- ask yourself:
- Do you want to design the way the boss fight feels → Game Design
- Do you want to build the boss’s AI → Programming
- Are you excited about world-building and story arcs → Game Design
- Are you excited about debugging and performance tuning → Programming
Both are great paths – the question becomes where your interest is now.
Final Thoughts
Game design is really more than ideas – it is all about creating experiences. And the myths that hold people back from taking a game design course these days are worryingly outdated.
Regardless of whether you want to design level layouts, develop a narrative, or eventually combine both, a design course teaches you the proper foundation.
Want to learn more about how Game Design compares to Programming? Read our complete guide: Game Design vs Game Programming: Which Path Is Right for You?
