Foundations of Game Design 1 Online Single Semester
Does your love of video games motivate you to pursue a career in this field? Pursue your passion by learning about the principles of game design through the stages of development, iterative process, critiques, and game development tools. Put these new skills to work by designing your own game!
This course requires the following household materials:
• Writing utensils and paper; camera or scanner to record drawing
• Photograph-capable device
• Post-it notes, index cards, or paper and scissors; writing utensils; camera or scanner to record drawing
Unit 1: From King Tut to Mario: A History of Gaming
• Describe the technological developments that contributed to the modern game industry
• Identify and evaluate the attributes of memorable (and forgettable!) games
• Research, compare, and categorize different game platforms and game hardware
• Strategically start planning your own video game
Unit 2: What’s in a Game
• Define what a game is and name the six parts of a game
• Identify the source of “fun” in games and apply this knowledge to evaluate the success of a game’s design
• Give examples of how specific game elements work together to form specific kinds of player experiences that drive different kinds of fun
• Use what you have learned so far to continue developing your own video game
Unit 3: A Peek into the Game Industry
• Distinguish the differences between large corporate design studios and independent studios
• Define the various roles on a game development team
• Explain the game design process, from concept to finished game
• List software commonly used in game development
Unit 4: Let’s Talk Shop about Game Design
• Generate and critically examine different game ideas
• Differentiate between player-centric and designer-centric game design
• Exercise best practices during the iterative cycle of game design
• Define the details of key game mechanics such as movement, combat, inventory, and randomness
• Explain the various delivery methods for conveying story in games
Midterm Exam
Unit 5: Developing a Game Design Document
• Explain the steps a game design team moves through from idea, to concept, to game design document
• Identify the main elements in a game design document and which team member would be best suited to help give input into that part of the GDD
• Create your own game design document
Unit 6: Game Visuals
• Identify and utilize the elements and principles of design
• Evaluate the effectiveness of visual design
• Understand and apply color theory
• Use an imaging program to create pixel art and sprite sheets
Unit 7: The Business of Video Games
• Make justifiable decisions following an ethical decision-making process
• Outline the legal matters that relate to game development and design
• Explain the various kinds of companies and organizations that operate in the game industry space
• Decide which form of marketing and producing works best for your situation
Unit 8: Let’s Make a Game
• Understand how video games apply physics concepts, such as friction, drag, and collision
• Explain the evolution of computer programming languages through their generations
• Describe the basic components and advantages of object-oriented programming
• Identify the different components in a simple script
• Program your first object in Unity
Final Exam
• Describe the technological developments that contributed to the modern game industry
• Identify and evaluate the attributes of memorable (and forgettable!) games
• Research, compare, and categorize different game platforms and game hardware
• Strategically start planning your own video game
Unit 2: What’s in a Game
• Define what a game is and name the six parts of a game
• Identify the source of “fun” in games and apply this knowledge to evaluate the success of a game’s design
• Give examples of how specific game elements work together to form specific kinds of player experiences that drive different kinds of fun
• Use what you have learned so far to continue developing your own video game
Unit 3: A Peek into the Game Industry
• Distinguish the differences between large corporate design studios and independent studios
• Define the various roles on a game development team
• Explain the game design process, from concept to finished game
• List software commonly used in game development
Unit 4: Let’s Talk Shop about Game Design
• Generate and critically examine different game ideas
• Differentiate between player-centric and designer-centric game design
• Exercise best practices during the iterative cycle of game design
• Define the details of key game mechanics such as movement, combat, inventory, and randomness
• Explain the various delivery methods for conveying story in games
Midterm Exam
Unit 5: Developing a Game Design Document
• Explain the steps a game design team moves through from idea, to concept, to game design document
• Identify the main elements in a game design document and which team member would be best suited to help give input into that part of the GDD
• Create your own game design document
Unit 6: Game Visuals
• Identify and utilize the elements and principles of design
• Evaluate the effectiveness of visual design
• Understand and apply color theory
• Use an imaging program to create pixel art and sprite sheets
Unit 7: The Business of Video Games
• Make justifiable decisions following an ethical decision-making process
• Outline the legal matters that relate to game development and design
• Explain the various kinds of companies and organizations that operate in the game industry space
• Decide which form of marketing and producing works best for your situation
Unit 8: Let’s Make a Game
• Understand how video games apply physics concepts, such as friction, drag, and collision
• Explain the evolution of computer programming languages through their generations
• Describe the basic components and advantages of object-oriented programming
• Identify the different components in a simple script
• Program your first object in Unity
Final Exam