Data Structures and Design Patterns for Game Developers (Coursera)

Data Structures and Design Patterns for Game Developers (Coursera)

This course is the fourth course in the specialization about learning how to develop video games using the C# programming language and the Unity game engine on Windows or Mac. Why use C# and Unity instead of some other language and game engine? Well, C# is a really good language for learning how to program and then programming professionally. Also, the Unity game engine is very popular with indie game developers; Unity games were downloaded 16,000,000,000 times in 2016! Finally, C# is one of the programming languages you can use in the Unity environment.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course assumes you have the prerequisite knowledge from the previous three courses in the specialization. You should make sure you have that knowledge, either by taking those previous courses or from personal experience, before tackling this course. Throughout this course you'll build on your foundational C# and Unity knowledge by developing more robust games with better object-oriented designs using various data structures and design patterns.
Data structures and design patterns are both general programming and software architecture topics that span all software, not just games. Although we'll discuss these ideas in the game domain, they also apply if you're writing a web app in ASP.NET, building a tool using WinForms, or any other software you decide to build.
Module 1: Explore a Dynamic Array data structure and learn the basics of algorithm analysis
Module 2: Learn about and use the common Linked List and Graph data structures
Module 3: Learn about and use several additional data structures: Stacks, Queues, and Trees
Module 4: Learn why design patterns are so useful and discover a number of design patterns useful in game development
Module 5: Complete final peer review
Course 4 of 4 in the C# Programming for Unity Game Development Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Dynamic Arrays and Algorithm Analysis

WEEK 2
Linked Lists and Graphs

WEEK 3
Stacks, Queues, and Trees

WEEK 4
Design Patterns

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Desarrollo de Videojuegos 3D en Unity: Una Introducción (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de los Andes

Desarrollo de Videojuegos 3D en Unity: Una Introducción (Coursera)

Este curso te permite crear un prototipo de juego 3D, explorando los conceptos necesarios y las herramientas para desarrollo de videojuegos en 3D disponibles en Unity y en la Web. Explorarás y harás uso de herramientas para crear una escena 3D en Unity, podrás agregar personajes y animaciones 3D e integrarlas en los escenarios que crees, podrás definir comportamiento e interacción entre elementos del videojuego, y publicar en la Web los resultados de lo que diseñes. Vas a utilizar como base los conceptos aprendidos en el curso introductorio de desarrollo, ahora aplicados a juegos 3D.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Audio Signal Processing for Music Applications (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University,Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Audio Signal Processing for Music Applications (Coursera)

In this course you will learn about audio signal processing methodologies that are specific for music and of use in real applications. We focus on the spectral processing techniques of relevance for the description and transformation of sounds, developing the basic theoretical and practical knowledge with which to analyze, synthesize, transform and describe audio signals in the context of music applications.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Programming for Data Science (Coursera) Coursera
University of Leeds

Programming for Data Science (Coursera)

Explore the basics of programming and familiarise yourself with the Python language. After completing this course, you will be able to write Python programs in Jupyter Notebook and describe basic programming. In this course, you will learn everything you need to start your programming journey. You will discover the different data types available in Python and how to use them, learn how to apply conditional and looping control structures, and write your own functions.

Sep 21st 2026
3 Weeks
System Validation (2): Model process behaviour (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

System Validation (2): Model process behaviour (Coursera)

System Validation is the field that studies the fundamentals of system communication and information processing. It is the next logical step in computer science and improving software development in general. It allows automated analysis based on behavioural models of a system to see if a system works correctly. We want to guarantee that the systems does exactly what it is supposed to do.

Sep 14th 2026
3 Weeks
Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course) (Coursera) Coursera
Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course) (Coursera)

In this project-centered course you will build a modern software hierarchy, designed to enable the translation and execution of object-based, high-level languages on a bare-bone computer hardware platform. In particular, you will implement a virtual machine and a compiler for a simple, Java-like programming language, and you will develop a basic operating system that closes gaps between the high-level language and the underlying hardware platform.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
C++程序设计 (Coursera) Coursera
Peking University

C++程序设计 (Coursera)

讲授C++语言中和面向对象有关的概念和语法,如类和对象、运算符重载、继承和多态、类模板和算法模板、标准模板库等。目标是使得学生能够用C++语言,以面向对象的方法编写可维护性、可扩充性好的,较大规模的程序,初步领会面向对象程序设计方法的优势所在。

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Creative Programming for Digital Media & Mobile Apps (Coursera) Coursera
University of London,Goldsmiths, University of London

Creative Programming for Digital Media & Mobile Apps (Coursera)

This course is for anyone who would like to apply their technical skills to creative work ranging from video games to art installations to interactive music, and also for artists who would like to use programming in their artistic practice. This course will teach you how to develop and apply programming skills to creative work. This is an important skill within the development of creative mobile applications, digital music and video games. It will teach the technical skills needed to write software that make use of images, audio and graphics, and will concentrate on the application of these skills to creative projects. Additional resources will be provided for students with no programming background.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks