International Game Developers Association

[edit] INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY MASTER COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE TITLE:

Introduction to Game Design

COURSE NUMBER:

GAM101

CREDIT/CONTACT HOURS:

40 Contact hours 4 Credit hours

COURSE LENGTH:

11 Weeks

UNIT OF ACADEMIC MEASUREMENT:

Quarter system

PREREQUISITES:

None

CO-REQUISITES:

None

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces students to game design and development terminology, principles, tools, and techniques. Students will examine the history and theories of game design, and will explore a variety of game genres and software applications that are used in the creation of digital media. Business principles, legal and ethical issues, and technological developments are discussed in relation to the creation of computer games.

TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S)

Introduction to Game Development, Steve Rabin, Charles River Media, 2005.

RESOURCES & SUPPLIES

• 1- 0.5” Binder
• 8.5 x 11 lined paper & White Copier Paper

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to do the following:

• Discuss and define game design and development terms and principles.

• Relate key developments in the history and theory of game design.

• Explore and describe various game genres, game engines, and media parameters.

• Participate in user groups, gaming communities, and Internet chat rooms that discuss game design and development issues.

• Draft design plans, character sketches, documentation, and storyboards for proposed games.

• Discuss business standards, market research, legal principles, ethical concerns and development processes in the game design and development industry.

• Test and analyze games to determine the quality of rules, interfaces, navigation, performance, play, artistry, and longevity in design and structure.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

Teacher-directed instruction, group work, homework assignments, in-class assignments, journals and term papers.

GRADING:

ASSIGNMENT VALUES:

The International Academy's grading scale is as follows:

• A ....... 100-95
• A- ....... 94-90
• B+ ...... 89-87
• B ........ 86-84
• B- ....... 83-80
• C+ ...... 79-77
• C ........ 76-74
• C- ....... 73-70
• D+ ...... 69-67
• D ........ 66-60
• F ........ 59 and below

Assignments Weight:

• 5 In-Class Journals = 10 pts ea ........................ 50 pts
• 1 Short Paper = 100 pts ea ............................ 100 pts
• 1 Storyboard = 50 pts ea ................................. 50 pts
• 2 Short Essays = 50 pts ea ........................... 100 pts
• 3 Quizzes = 40/40/20 pts ea .......................... 100 pts
• Mid-Term - Pitch Presentation ........................ 100 pts
• Final Project – Concept Document ................... 50 pts
• Final Project – Design Document & Binder ...... 150 pts
• Total ............................................................ 700 pts

LIBRARY ASSIGNMENTS:

Research papers and projects should involve both library research and the use of reference material that is properly documented.

COURSE POLICIES:

• Students are responsible for arranging with a classmate to obtain missed notes, materials, and/or assignments.

• All papers and assignments will be typed in double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, have 1-inch margins, and be stapled in the upper left-hand corner.

• The upper right-hand corner header will contain your name, Course Name— Teacher Name, and the name of the assignment. Pages shall be numbered in the footer.

• Students are expected to meet every deadline presented within the course.

• They are also expected to involve themselves fully in class discussions and help generate a healthy group dynamic.

INTEGRITY OF STUDENT WORK:

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that will not be tolerated and may result in failure for an individual project, failure for the course, and dismissal from the college. See your Student Handbook for further information.

ATTENDANCE:

• Class activities and discussions are an integral part of the learning process. Therefore, students are expected to attend each class.

• All absences must be preceded by communication to the instructor.

• Attendance is taken at every class session and becomes a part of the student’s permanent record. Excused absences may be accepted for extenuating circumstances including death in family, personal illness (student should call in at least 30 minutes prior to the start of class), school-related job interview or externship interview, military obligations, or jury duty. More than six absences in any given course may result in automatic withdrawal from the course(s) in which the absence occurs. This withdrawal will be recorded as an F on your academic transcript. Attendance is essential for class participation. The effect of class participation varies from instructor to instructor and is explained in the syllabus handed out at the beginning of each course. Students who will be absent for a valid reason should notify the instructor in advance. If a class project is due during that period of absence, the student should clear the absence with the instructor in advance and make the necessary arrangements to submit work missed.

MAKE-UP WORK:

Make-up and late work will be allowed only if the student has made arrangements with the instructor. Each assignment will lose 10 points off of the total score for each day it is late. I will not accept work if it is more than 2 weeks late – it will be a zero by that point. Your final project may NOT be late.

Topical Outline:

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT ..................................... APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE OF CLASS TIME ALLOCATED TO EACH TOPIC

• History of Video Games ........................................................................................ 12.5%
• Societal and Cultural Game Issues ........................................................................ 12.5%
• AI and Audio on Game Design ............................................................................... 12.5%
• Game Production and Teams ................................................................................. 12.5%
• Art Creation Overview ............................................................................................ 12.5%
• Game Industry Roles and Economics ..................................................................... 12.5%
• Intellectual Property and Content Regulations .......................................................... 12.5%
• Storyboarding and Design Documents .................................................................... 12.5%
• TOTAL .................................................................................................................. 100%

CLASS MEETING OUTLINE:

WEEK 1:

Class 1 Topic: Who Are You; Why are We Here? Who Are Game Developers and What Are Their Jobs? Reading: History of Video Games Ch 1.1

Class 2 Topic: History of Video Games Reading: History of Video Games Ch 1.1

WEEK 2:

Class 1 Topic: Societal and Cultural Game Issues/Debate Michigan Game Laws Reading: Societal and Cultural Game Issues Ch 1.2 Assignment #A: Short Paper (Due July 31) Handout: ESA Report

Class 2 In-Class Journal (1)

Topic: Studying Games from an Academic Perspective; Review in groups the designers and present. Reading: Studying Games from an Academic Perspective Ch 1.3 Assignment: Pitch Presentation

WEEK 3:

Class 1 Handout: Review Sheet (Counts as “Journal 2”) Topic: Game Design – What is Fun? Reading: Game Design Ch 2.1

Class 2 Topic: Game Design Reading: Game Design Ch 2.1 Assignment: Fill in Vocab Sheet for Ch 2.2

WEEK 4:

Class 1 Quiz 1 Work-In-Class on Pitch Presentation Assignment: #B: Short Answer pg 157 #1 (Due Aug 7)

Class 2 In-Class Journal (3) Topic: Game Design Reading: Game Design Ch 2.2

WEEK 5:

Class 1 Topic: Game Design Reading: Game Design Ch 2.2

Class 2 Pitch Presentation Due. In-Class: Each student will present their presentation.

WEEK 6:

Class 1 In-Class: Each student will present their presentation.

Class 2 Topic: Influence of AI and Cinematography Reading: Influence of Artificial Intelligence and Cinematography on Game Design Ch 5.3, 6.8 Assignment: #C: Storyboard pg 781 #1A (Due Aug 28) Assignment: Concept Document for game idea -- Due Aug 28.

WEEK 7:

Class 1 Topic: Game Production and Teams Reading: Game Production and Teams Ch 3.1 & 7.1

Class 2 Quiz 2 Assignment: #D: Short Answer pg 182 # 4, 5, pg 852 # 5 (Due Sept 4)

WEEK 8:

Class 1 Final Project Concept Document due. In-Class: One-on-One Meetings.

Class 2 Topic: Art Creation Reading: Art Asset Creation Overview Ch 6.1

WEEK 9:

Class 1 In-Class Journal (4) Topic: Art Creation Reading: Art Asset Creation Overview Ch 6.2-6.3

Class 2 Work-In-Class on Final Project.

WEEK 10:

Class 1 Topic: Art Creation Reading: Art Asset Creation Overview Ch 6.4-6.7

Class 2 In-Class Journal (5) Topic: Publisher-Developer Relationship/Roles Reading: Game Industry Roles and Economics Ch 7.2 & Publisher & Developer Relationship Ch 7.3

WEEK 11:

Class 1 Final Project Due/Presentations.

Class 2 Quiz 3 In-Class Game Day Research

• subject to change