Game Design

The course provides an introduction to game design focusing on the mechanics, balancing, storytelling, sound with the gameplay experience as the main goal. Game development methodology, documentation, and the game engine Unity are used in project work. Applications of games in learning, interactive literature, and gamification of applications are discussed. A critical discussion of player culture and ethics is addressed in the context of game genres.

Knowledge

The student has

• basic knowledge of the characteristics that distinguish games from other products and services.
• An understanding of games as rule-based systems consisting of mechanics, balancing techniques and winning conditions.
• The ability to analyze the design, feedback, flow, narrative, sound with consideration to the experience the game creates with the player.
• Insight into game design methodology and theoretical perspectives about games, players and games as media.

Skills:

The student can

• Sketch and prototype games on paper
• Create a simple and engaging game
• Use key parts of the Unity3D game engine
• Write game design documentation

General competence:

The student can

• Analyze how games work and are built up.
• Evaluate the quality of games.
• Consider whether games are the right solution to a communication or learning needs.

Lectures, exercises, a project assignment. Introductory Unity exercises. A graded project is carried out in groups of three people. The project involves the development of a casual game level with the Unity game engine. A game design document is written as documentation and included in the evaluation. There will be an oral presentation of the results and spilltesting.

This course is offered to international master students, language of instruction is English.