GAME DESIGN sprint

Design Environmental Puzzles: Mastering Flow with Joel Beardshaw

Expand your game design skills with insights from the visionary lead designer behind Desta: The Memories Between and Assemble with Care, and a key creative force behind the ingenious puzzles of Monument Valley 2 and 3. This is a unique opportunity to learn from a master of crafting immersive and unforgettable gameplay experiences. In this course, you’ll dive deep into the art of puzzle design, learning to create environmental puzzles that feature dynamic state changes, spatial reasoning challenges, and block/unblock mechanics that captivate and inspire player discovery.

Through hands-on experience with industry-standard workflows, you’ll develop the ability to craft expressive game mechanics, seamlessly connect themes to gameplay, and refine your designs with professional techniques. Join now to build a portfolio-ready puzzle prototype and gain invaluable insights from a leader in game design.
  • Create Portfolio-Ready Prototype
  • Craft Environmental State Changes
  • Optimise Puzzle Flow Techniques
  • Understand Player-Centric Problem Solving

Join us today 

Join us today

Join us today

Join us today

Join us today

Join us today

Join us today

Course Starts, Monday 3 Feb 2025!

3-21, FEB 2025
6-8 PM

*UK Local Time (GMT)

Spaces Left 

*All Sprint Courses Have Limited Spaces

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THE SPRINT BRIEF 

Design an environmental State-Changing puzzle 
All Sprints focus on industry-relevant briefs to help you build hands-on skills. In this Sprint, tackle an environmental puzzle design challenge. The puzzle created should demonstrate mechanics rooted in level state changes, spatial reasoning, and player-driven novelty.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone passionate about game design—whether you’re an aspiring creator developing foundational skills or an experienced designer looking to broaden your skillset by exploring the unique challenges of puzzle design. The only prerequisite is a basic understanding of game development and familiarity with a game engine to create prototypes.

By crafting dynamic, state-changing puzzles, you’ll not only sharpen your creative thinking but also expand your expertise into a new genre, providing the perfect opportunity to enhance or update your portfolio with polished, professional-quality work.

If you are not sure if this is for you, please contact us.

Game Creators with Basic Engine Skills

Whether you’re new to game design or a seasoned professional, this course has something for everyone. Aspiring designers can build foundational skills, while experienced creators can broaden their expertise by exploring the puzzle design genre. A basic skills to and  to create prototypes in engine to get the most out of this experience.

Puzzle Enthusiasts

This course is made for those interested in dynamic puzzles that challenge players through state changes, spatial reasoning, and creative problem-solving

  In this course, the instructor will demonstrate the workflow using Unity. You’re welcome to use the game engine you’re most comfortable with, but please note we are not able support and troubleshooting other engines.  

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Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

From Joel Beardshaw's Portfolio

Joel's diverse experience spans game and level design across genres, including Monument Valley 2 & 3, Desta: The Memories Between, Assemble with Care, Toybox Turbos, 50 Cent Blood on The Sand, and Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising.
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The Sprint Experience

Experience 3 weeks of a hands-on industry-relevant project, supported by a vibrant peer-learning community. You'll be guided by an experienced professional and have a dedicated facilitator on hand to assist every step of the way.

Real Time Instruction

Fully live remote course with real-time instruction
(no pre-recorded content)

Industry Professional Led

Collaborate closely with a  top game industry professionals to gain insights into industry standards and trends

Portfolio Project

Create a tangible portfolio piece to showcase your game development skills and impress potential employers

Level Up Skills

Bridge skill gaps, refine abilities and maintain an edge over competitors

Guided Progress

Experience personal accountability with regular progress checks, Q&As and feedback

Coordinator & Peer Support

 Learn and network with like-minded peers, facilitated by an Into Games team member 

What You Get! 

By the end of 3 weeks you should have gained the skills to design immersive, state-changing puzzles and master industry workflows. Walk away with a polished Unity puzzle prototype, ready to showcase in your portfolio for potential employers or collaborators.

01

WORK ALONGSIDE AN EXPERIENCED GAME DESIGNER

Gain invaluable insight from a seasoned professional with 12 years of game design experience. This course is an opportunity to watch Joel’s workflow up close as he brings engaging, state-changing puzzles to life, showcasing the techniques and creativity behind captivating designs.

02

DEVELOP A TANGIBLE PUZZLE PROTOTYPE 

By the end of this course, you should have a fully realised, state-changing puzzle prototype to showcase in your portfolio. This hands-on experience ensures you leave with something concrete that reflects your creativity, technical skills, and ability to design engaging player experiences.

03

 FEEDBACK TO REFINE YOUR CRAFT

Take advantage of the opportunity to receive feedback from Joel, industry guest professionals, and peers, giving you the chance to sharpen your skills, gain fresh insights, and elevate your game design expertise.

04

CONNECT WITH A NETWORK OF PEER DESIGNERS

Connect with other developers on similar journeys! Building relationships that can open doors and provide insights specific to your field. Networking with peers who understand your challenges and goals helps build social capital and offers perspectives that will support you throughout your career.

05

FAST & FURIOUS

This is a 3-week online course, with all live real-time sessions taking place in the evenings from 6pm-8pm (UK local time). You can review the activity dates below. Participants can expect to invest about 10-15 hours per week on this course.
(Recordings available if you miss anything)

LEVEL UP TODAY! 

Into Games is a non-profit committed to making quality game development training affordable and accessible.
We offer bursaries and discounts for those from low-income backgrounds, so everyone has the chance to gain valuable experience.
Meet your sprint leader

Joel Beardshaw

Joel Beardshaw is a lead designer at ustwo games with over 15 years of experience, and a member of 2023’s UK BAFTA Breakthrough cohort. Most recently, he worked on Desta: The Memories Between on Switch, Steam, and Netflix Games. Joel has a keen interest in how people can come together to tell collaborative stories, expressive game mechanics, and how level design can create a sense of place.

Renowned for his expertise in collaborative storytelling, expressive mechanics, and immersive level design, Joel’s work reflects his passion for creating meaningful player experiences. Before joining ustwo games, he honed his skills across diverse genres at Codemasters Birmingham, working on notable games like F1 2015 and Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising.
Patrick Jones - Course author

You'll love learning with us

"I find it hard to open up and really connect with people, this course made me feel more comfortable with people, my own art and provided the knowledge that I needed to pursue a goal I have avoided for awhile."
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FELIX, ConCEPT ART Sprint
I feel reaffirmed as an artist after taking the Concept Art Sprint! Anna has guided us through all aspects of worldbuilding and has given invaluable insight on enviroment and character concepts. I can happily say I have improved so much as an artist and will be back for the next sprint!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FLAVIA, CONCEPT ART SPrint
"I loved my time on the Sprint course. I gained knowledge on perspective, development, the no nos and lots more! Anna was great with such a friendly and inviting personality I didn't want the course to end. I met some great people from this course that I hope I will meet in person one day!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EMMA, CONCEPT ART Sprint
"This course has been inspiring and so much fun! The live brief has been challenging, opening up new ways of thinking of ideas and giving me the push I needed to focus on my own practice. Jenny and Anna made a great supportive space and atmosphere within the sessions where you felt comfortable to ask questions, contribute and share your work. I would 100% take part in this course again and would recommend everyone interested in concept art to join! "
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jennifer, Concept Art Sprint
"As a teacher and game artist, I got a lot of valuable knowledge from Into Games Sprints. I have a better understanding not only on how to teach Concept Art to my students, but also to make my ideas clearer. What I liked is that I could develop two little pieces of a worldbuilding idea I had for a long while, give it shape, and show it to others."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MIGUEL, CONCEPT ART Sprint
"Nervously enrolled in the course looking to test my abilities as an illustrator in a different environment. Came out the other side feeling inspired and with a supportive network spurring me on. Anna and Jenny were great and I may even sign up again next time! Epic"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MArtin, CONCEPT ARTSprint

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a certificate?

We award certificates based on overall engagement, not just attendance. It’s not about perfection! For example, if you missed a few live sessions but submit to the showcase, it will help balance your engagement points. Similarly, good attendance without all submissions can still lead to certification.

Certificates are password-locked and emailed to participants who have reasonably engaged. As an absolute minimum, participants should at least 50% of sessions.

I can't make all the dates - is this still for me?

While we recommend that you try to attend as many of the live and group sessions as possible, we understand that might not be possible. All sessions are recorded for participants, and you have 24-7 access to content and support for the duration of the Sprint. 

Is financial Aid or assistance available?

Yes, we have a variety of discounts and sponsored places on our courses. Please check out our affordability page for more information on criteria and application. Financial Aid is only available for UK residents.

Do you offer refunds?

Please read our refund policy here and contact our team for support. 

My question is not answered here 

Please contact sprints@intogames.org
We are a non-profit organisation that helps people, no matter their background, get access to rewarding roles in the games sector.

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