• In English

  • Online Only
  • 6 Weeks / 6 Sessions

A Practical Introduction to Systemic Game Design

Learn and apply the fundamental principles of systemic game design, and master the systems-oriented approach to game design.
Min students: 5 | Max students: 20

What you will learn

  • Understand the fundamentals of systemic game design
  • Recognize and design emergent gameplay
  • Balance player agency and designer control
  • Design AI behaviors that interact with game systems
  • Identify and resolve balancing challenges 
  • Analyze case studies of systemic games
  • Implement procedural storytelling techniques
  • Develop hands-on experience through exercises
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Start Date
April 06, 2026
End Date
May 11, 2026

Classes take place on Mondays

17:30 CET, 16:30 UK, 18:30 GR, 11:30 EST

Mike Papagathangelou

Your Instructor:
Mike is the co-founder and lead designer of Traptics, an indie game studio founded in 2012. He specialises in game design and production, with a strong focus on systems-driven games. Over his career, he has contributed to the development of over 40 games. His best-known project is Homeseek, and he is currently working on a new sci-fi title, Xenopurge.  [full bio]

Master the systems-oriented approach to game design.

The Course Includes:

  • 6 Live Sessions
  • Lecture Recordings
  • Lecture Notes in PDF
  • Lifetime Access
  • 5 Exercises
  • Personalised Feedback
  • Class Discord

Requirements:

Basic knowledge of game design, familiarity with video games, access to Zoom. No coding experience is required. 

This course is ideal for:

  • Level Designers & Game Designers
  • Professionals and Hobbyists.
  • Emergent Gameplay Designers
  • AAA, AA, and Indie video game devs
  • Game enthusiasts looking to understand systemic game design
The 'Practical Introduction to Systemic Game Design' course explores the principles of systemic game design—what it is, when to use it, and how to implement it effectively. Over six live sessions, you will progressively design, test, and refine a game of your own creation.

The techniques taught are versatile and transferable, and can thus be applied to games across various mediums and genres.

The course introduces systemic game design, focusing on emergent gameplay, dynamic interactions, and player agency. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, discussions, and iterative design assignments, gaining practical experience in designing systemic mechanics.

Participants will be expected to actively participate during the courses on a number of exercises, as well as spend time in between sessions on carefully designed assignments focused around certain techniques and practices.

All assignments will be provided with detailed feedback and comments to help participants refine their systemic design skills. Each task is designed to reinforce key concepts discussed in the sessions.

The practical aspects of the course will focus on:
  • Hands-on exercises & iterative assignments to apply systemic design principles.
  • Feedback-driven learning with personalised comments on each submission.
  • Peer discussions & presentations to refine ideas and improve designs.

The 'Practical Introduction to Systemic Game Design' course emphasises growth and experimentation, encouraging participants to explore, iterate, and improve their designs based on constructive feedback. It is ideal for both aspiring and experienced game designers aiming to deepen their understanding of systems-focused design.

Skills developed: Systemic game design, game design documentation, game design, emergent gameplay, balancing, systemic storytelling

Lectures Schedule

Syllabus

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to have Zoom installed?

Yes. All online lessons are taught via Zoom.

What's the refund policy?

A 100% refund -no questions asked- if you cancel up to 24 hours before the first live session.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes, instalment payment options are available in most cases. Please reach out to us at info@d6learning.com to discuss the best plan for you.

More questions?

Please contact us directly here. We will respond within 1 to 2 days.
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