The 100 Games That Taught Me Game Design

Game Maker's Toolkit • May 16, 2024
Video Thumbnail
Game Maker's Toolkit Logo

Game Maker's Toolkit

@gmtk

About

Game Maker's Toolkit is a deep dive into game design, level design, and game production, hosted by Mark Brown. Want to contact Mark? Visit the GMTK website below to find the contact form.

Video Description

🔴 Get my premium monthly newsletter - https://gamemakerstoolkit.com/digest/ 🔴 One of the best ways to learn about game design is to just play a whole bunch of games. But with thousands of titles to choose from... where do you start? Well, this video lists 100 games that have most helped me in my journey to understand game development - from arcade classics to virtual reality thrills. === Corrections === Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was developed by Infinity Ward, not Treyarch. Spaceteam is actually still on the iOS App Store! === Important information === Content warning: Blood, Language, War Backloggd list - https://www.backloggd.com/u/GameMakersTK/list/100-games-that-taught-me-game-design/ While most of the games are available on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch, a few can be found elsewhere. Use these links to begin. Space Invaders - https://www.vizzed.com/play/space-invaders-+-space-invaders-m-mame-online-arcade-49180-playable Pac-Man - https://www.vizzed.com/play/pac-man-25th-anniversary-edition-(rev-200)-mame-online-arcade-44130-playable Rogue - https://www.myabandonware.com/game/rogue-4n/play-4n Tetris - https://www.retrogames.cz/play_136-GameBoy.php Diablo II - https://eu.shop.battle.net/en-gb/product/diablo-ii The Sims - https://www.myabandonware.com/game/the-sims-bf5 September 12th - http://www.newsgaming.com/games/index12.htm Cookie Clicker -https://orteil.dashnet.org/cookieclicker/ Spelunky - https://spelunkyworld.com/original.html === Sources === [1] Resident Evil Creator Shinji Mikami Reflects... | Gamespot http://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-creator-shinji-mikami-reflects-on-th/1100-6435918/ [2] Preview: Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars | 1UP https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204306/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3158197 [3] 40 years and I'm still here | Game Developer https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/my-40-years-in-the-game-industry [4] The Last Guardian creator... | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/28/the-last-guardian-fumito-ueda-interview [5] Rez - Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Timeless Masterpiece | Time Extension https://www.timeextension.com/features/the-making-of-rez-tetsuya-mizuguchis-timeless-masterpiece [6] Keita Takahashi talks Katamari Damacy | GameSpy http://www.gamespy.com/articles/595/595110p1.html [7] Spelunky by Derek Yu | Boss Fight Books https://bossfightbooks.com/products/spelunky-by-derek-yu [8] Designing side quests? Study these 7 games | Game Developer https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/designing-side-quests-study-these-7-games-and-some-chris-avellone-pointers- [9] Soundbite: Age of Empires and Civilization... | The Life & Times of Video Games https://lifeandtimes.games/episodes/files/soundbite-bruce-shelley [10] Ahead of the Curve: The SpaceChem Postmortem | GDC Vault https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH7gL3ivgFA [11] Designing Mark of the Ninja - Nels Anderson | Full Indie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsHNpoleFp0 [12] Jake Solomon | Designer Notes https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/jake-solomon-part-1 [13] Brilliant Indie Game The Stanley Parable... | Wired https://www.wired.com/2011/08/the-stanley-parable/ [14] Cow Clicker | Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cow_Clicker [15] 18 things we learned about Alien: Isolation... | MCV UK https://mcvuk.com/development-news/18-things-we-learned-about-alien-isolation-last-night/ [16] ’80 Days': Jules Verne-inspired game... | LA Times https://web.archive.org/web/20140831040548/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/games/80-days-jules-verne-inspired-mobile-game-is-all-over-the-map/ [17] How Fortnite’s success... | Polygon https://www.polygon.com/2019/4/23/18507750/fortnite-work-crunch-epic-games [18] ...The aesthetics of frustration in Getting Over It | Gamasutra https://web.archive.org/web/20190419044650/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/312553/Designer_Interview_The_aesthetics_of_frustration_in_Getting_Over_It.php [19] Designing Florence... | Game Developer https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/designing-i-florence-i-to-convey-the-ineffable-feeling-of-being-in-love [20] Understanding the meaningless ... Disco Elysium | Game Developer https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/understanding-the-meaningless-micro-reactive-and-marvellous-writing-of-i-disco-elysium-i- [21] Road to the IGF ... Outer Wilds | Game Developer - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/road-to-the-igf-alex-beachum-s-i-outer-wilds-i- === Chapters === 00:00 - Intro 02:39 - 1 to 10 15:18 - 11 to 20 28:34 - 21 to 30 41:15 - 31 to 40 55:26 - 41 to 50 1:08:07 - 51 to 60 1:19:55 - 61 to 70 1:32:56 - 71 to 80 1:45:45 - 81 to 90 1:58:50 - 91 to 100 2:11:28 - Outro === Credits === Some music provided by Epidemic Sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/vtdu5y (Referral Link) Other music from original soundtracks of games shown Video credits - https://pastebin.com/iDY3GaAn

Essential Game Design Tools

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 - PS5 Standard Edition

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 - PS5 Standard Edition

(135)
$39.96$27.97
FREE delivery Fri, Dec 5
3K+ bought in past month
Loading...
TOCOL for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Screen Protector Military Grade Shatterproof HD Tempered Glass Easy Installation Case Friendly 2 Packs Global Recycled Standard

TOCOL for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Screen Protector Military Grade Shatterproof HD Tempered Glass Easy Installation Case Friendly 2 Packs Global Recycled Standard

(10,380)
$12.97
FREE delivery Sun, Mar 22 on your first order
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
TOCOL for iPhone 17/iPhone 17 Pro/iPhone 16 Pro Screen Protector 6.3 inch 9H Hardness Shatterproof HD Tempered Glass for Full Coverage Easy Installation, Case Friendly, 2 Pack Global Recycled Standard
Best Seller

TOCOL for iPhone 17/iPhone 17 Pro/iPhone 16 Pro Screen Protector 6.3 inch 9H Hardness Shatterproof HD Tempered Glass for Full Coverage Easy Installation, Case Friendly, 2 Pack Global Recycled Standard

(449)
$12.59
FREE delivery Sun, Oct 5 on your first order
2K+ bought in past month
Loading...
TOCOL for iPhone 17 Pro Max Screen Protector 6.9 inch 9H Hardness Military Grade Shatterproof HD Tempered Glass for iPhone 17 Pro Max/16 Pro Max Full Coverage Easy Installation, Case Friendly, 2 Pack Global Recycled Standard
Best Seller

TOCOL for iPhone 17 Pro Max Screen Protector 6.9 inch 9H Hardness Military Grade Shatterproof HD Tempered Glass for iPhone 17 Pro Max/16 Pro Max Full Coverage Easy Installation, Case Friendly, 2 Pack Global Recycled Standard

(46,602)
$13.99
FREE delivery Sun, Oct 19 on your first order
3K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Ram Mount Pod HD Vehicle Mount with 18" Aluminum Rod and Round Plate RAM-316-HD-18-202U for Tablets and Small Laptops

Ram Mount Pod HD Vehicle Mount with 18" Aluminum Rod and Round Plate RAM-316-HD-18-202U for Tablets and Small Laptops

(9)
$494.95
$24.50 delivery Jul 18 - 25
Loading...
Logitech G435 Lightspeed and Bluetooth Wireless Gaming Headset - Lightweight Over-Ear Headphones, Built-in mics, 18h Battery, Compatible with Dolby Atmos, PC, Mobile - Black

Logitech G435 Lightspeed and Bluetooth Wireless Gaming Headset - Lightweight Over-Ear Headphones, Built-in mics, 18h Battery, Compatible with Dolby Atmos, PC, Mobile - Black

(14,873)
$49.99$39.99
FREE delivery Thu, Aug 21
400+ bought in past month
Loading...
Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse, 8,000 DPI, Rainbow Optical Effect LIGHTSYNC RGB, 6 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, Screen Mapping, PC/Mac Computer and Laptop Compatible - Black
Best Seller

Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse, 8,000 DPI, Rainbow Optical Effect LIGHTSYNC RGB, 6 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, Screen Mapping, PC/Mac Computer and Laptop Compatible - Black

(17,871)
$27.98$22.38
FREE delivery Tue, Oct 14 on your first order
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, Hero 12K Sensor, 12,000 DPI, Lightweight, 6 Programmable Buttons, 250h Battery Life, On-Board Memory, PC/Mac - Black

Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, Hero 12K Sensor, 12,000 DPI, Lightweight, 6 Programmable Buttons, 250h Battery Life, On-Board Memory, PC/Mac - Black

(35,879)
$49.99$44.99
FREE delivery Mon, Jan 26
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Logitech G502 Hero High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse, Hero 25K Sensor, 25,600 DPI, RGB, Adjustable Weights, 11 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, PC/Mac, Black

Logitech G502 Hero High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse, Hero 25K Sensor, 25,600 DPI, RGB, Adjustable Weights, 11 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, PC/Mac, Black

(55,508)
$49.98$44.98
FREE delivery Thu, Jan 29
2K+ bought in past month
Loading...
8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter 2 for Switch, Windows, Mac & Steam Deck - Compatible With Xbox Series X & S, Xbox One Bluetooth, Switch Pro and PS5 Controllers (Black)

8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter 2 for Switch, Windows, Mac & Steam Deck - Compatible With Xbox Series X & S, Xbox One Bluetooth, Switch Pro and PS5 Controllers (Black)

(5,446)
$26.99
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
200+ bought in past month
Loading...
Logitech M185 Wireless Mouse, 2.4GHz with USB Mini Receiver, 12-Month Battery Life, 1000 DPI Optical Tracking, Ambidextrous, Compatible with PC, Mac, Laptop - Black

Logitech M185 Wireless Mouse, 2.4GHz with USB Mini Receiver, 12-Month Battery Life, 1000 DPI Optical Tracking, Ambidextrous, Compatible with PC, Mac, Laptop - Black

(48,912)
$15.99$12.79
FREE delivery Wed, Feb 18 on your first order
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, Hero 12K Sensor, 12,000 DPI, Lightweight, 6 Programmable Buttons, 250h Battery Life, On-Board Memory, PC/Mac - Black

Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, Hero 12K Sensor, 12,000 DPI, Lightweight, 6 Programmable Buttons, 250h Battery Life, On-Board Memory, PC/Mac - Black

(35,879)
$49.99$44.99
FREE delivery Mon, Jan 26
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch TV Keyboard With Easy Media Control and Built-in Touchpad, HTPC Keyboard for PC-connected TV, Windows, Android, Chrome OS, Laptop, Tablet - Black
Best Seller

Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch TV Keyboard With Easy Media Control and Built-in Touchpad, HTPC Keyboard for PC-connected TV, Windows, Android, Chrome OS, Laptop, Tablet - Black

(38,516)
$39.98$35.98
FREE delivery Thu, Sep 4
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse, 8,000 DPI, Rainbow Optical Effect LIGHTSYNC RGB, 6 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, Screen Mapping, PC/Mac Computer and Laptop Compatible - Black
Best Seller

Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse, 8,000 DPI, Rainbow Optical Effect LIGHTSYNC RGB, 6 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, Screen Mapping, PC/Mac Computer and Laptop Compatible - Black

(17,871)
$27.98$22.38
FREE delivery Tue, Oct 14 on your first order
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
COOWPS Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 (2025), Ultra Slim Premium Felt Material Portable Switch Travel Case with 8 Game Cartridges, Hard Shell Fixed Design, Accessories for Switch 2

COOWPS Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 (2025), Ultra Slim Premium Felt Material Portable Switch Travel Case with 8 Game Cartridges, Hard Shell Fixed Design, Accessories for Switch 2

(14)
$29.99
FREE delivery Sun, Jun 15 on your first order
Loading...
2026 New Embroidery Stitch Book Kit, Stitch Book Embroidery, All-in-One Embroidey StitchBook & Sewing Kit, Comes with a Complete Toolkit and Instructional Tutorial (1set)

2026 New Embroidery Stitch Book Kit, Stitch Book Embroidery, All-in-One Embroidey StitchBook & Sewing Kit, Comes with a Complete Toolkit and Instructional Tutorial (1set)

(1)
$14.90
FREE delivery Jan 23 - Feb 12
500+ bought in past month