General provisions

The course is part of the Bachelor's programmes Game Design and Graphics, 180 Credits, Game Design and Programming, 180 Credits, Game Design and Project Leadership, 180 Credits and Game Design, 180 Credits

Entry requirements

General entry requirements and Mathematics 2a or 2b or 2c

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, students will be able to:

• Display a basic practical and theoretical understanding of narrative structures in games, game mechanics, players and player types.
• Describe and apply methods of observing and evaluating connections between game mechanics and play experiences in simple game systems.
• Express themselves in speech and writing in situational and academic contexts in English.
• Perform and document a study with the use of design and theory.
• Display an ability to work in teams to design and plan agile game projects.

Content

This course explores the fundamentals of Game Design, Game Research and Game Production. These three focusses form the foundation for skills used throughout the education. The course begins with a series of short design exercises to explore different game design concepts within theoretical and cultural contexts. Students apply basic tools for systems analysis to break down and analyse games as systems. The course introduces intentionality in design and abstract design tools, used to analyse and correlate the connection between mechanics and how games are experienced.

The course is divided into two modules. Students then reflect on their work with respect to their own learning, and work processes, situating the theory within practice.

Module 1: Prototyping, Game Testing and Study,7.5 credits

The first project has students develop physical prototypes in groups and asks students to devise a research question and then perform a small study using play testing. The study is documented in a short research report.

Module 2: Digital Games, 7.5 credits

The second project has students design a series of digital games in teams which are then developed individually using a game engine. Students utilize agile production methods to complete their project.

Instruction

Instruction takes place through lectures and workshops as well as seminars and supervised project work.

Assessment

Assessment takes place at the end of each module. The first module is examined with a written research report and journals. The second module is examined by assessment of a digital game and written journals.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.