Introduction to Game Design

Course Code:

VCD 371

Course Period:

Autumn

Course Type:

Core

P:

2

Lab:

2

Credits:

3

ECTS:

5

Course Language:

English

Course Coordinator:

Yasemin ÜLGEN MULUK

Courses given by:

Yasemin ÜLGEN MULUK

Course Objectives:

This course introduces students to basic concepts and working principles in game design (and design in general). Built around a hands-on player-centric and iterative approach, students are required to develop a (digital or non-digital) game from concept to playable prototype as the course content is delivered to them on a week-by-week basis. Students will be exposed to both theoretical lectures and practical design challenges. Students will receive active guidance and support during the development of their game projects by their instructor.

Course Content:

In this course, students learn about the process of game development and use this information to develop their own games.

Course Methodology:

1-Lecture, 3-Special Support / Structural Examples, 5-Problem Solving

Course Evaluation Methods:

A-Exam, C-Assignment

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes	Program Learning Outcomes	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
1. Discusses in a refined and extensive manner around the games they create.	4,10	1,3,5	A
2. Develops an extensive understanding and practical knowledge about the game design processes.	4,10	1,3,5	A,C
3. Acquires collective working habits via testing processes and group projects.	10	1,3,5	A,C
4. Gathers the knowledge about planning and documentation works required for a game project.	4,10	1,3,5	A,C
5. Builds a responsible design sense by researching game industry.	10	1,3,5	A

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week	Topics	Study Materials
1	Introduction
2	Basic Elements and Building Blocks in Game Design I
3	Basic Elements and Building Blocks in Game Design II
4	Game Project (Step 1): Developing a Feasible Game Concept
5	Game Project (Step 2): Controlled Growth of Core Mechanics
6	Game Project (Step 3): Adding Depth to Gameplay
7	Game Project (Step 4): Adding Suspense and Mystery
8	Mid-term
9	Game Project (Step 5): Game Testing: An Overview of concepts and working principles
10	Game Project (Step 6): Testing for Functionality
11	Game Project (Step 7): Testing for Balance
12	Game Project (Step 7 Repeated): Testing for Balance
13	Game Project (Step 8): Testing for Completeness
14	Game Project (Step 9): Future Directions
15	Play Day: Project presentations
16	Final Examination

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Additional Resources	Half-real : video games between real rules and fictional worlds / Jesper Juul ; Jesper Juul. Play Redux : The Form of Computer Games / David Myers

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents	Tutorial video and written documents
Assignments	Lesson videos

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms	1	40
Final	1	60
Total		100
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade		60
Contribution of In-Term Studies to Overall Grade		40
Total		100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE’S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Uses technical and academic knowledge accumulated in visual communication design field for authentic projects.			X
2	Designs 2 and 3 dimensional creative products considering the aesthetic rules.			X
3	Employs efficiently the technical innovations required by the professional field.			X
4	Analyses problems related to the field starting from the concept and develops appropriate projects for the targeted audience.				X
5	Behaves according to the national and international professional ethical principles.			X
6	Builds awareness to universal and social problems by developed projects and offers solutions to them.		X
7	Gains sectoral experience by compulsory internship, relates academic knowledge with field experience.	X
8	Grasps the importance of interdisciplinary working by lifelong learning mind-set and collaborates with different teams.		X
9	Develops concepts and puts forth innovative and authentic works to enrich the cultural and artistic accumulation related to the field.			X
10	Transforms the creative ideas into moving and interactive visual expressions, executes multi-dimensional designs.					X

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration	14	4	56
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	14	4	56
Mid-terms	1	4	4
Final	1	4	4
Total Workload			120
Total Workload / 25 (s)			4,8
ECTS Credit of the Course			5

3

Search form