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Game Design (INFO30009)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2017
Overview
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AIMS
Digital games are one of the largest entertainment industries, increasingly pervasive within society, and at the forefront of emerging technologies with respect to user experience and online social interaction. This subject will develop understanding and practical knowledge of the fundamental principles of game design, interactivity and immersion. It will examine how these techniques are increasingly being applied in contexts such as health, learning, web-design and in emerging virtual reality experiences. The subject will explore the deeper conceptual foundations of the theory of games and their use beyond the digital realm. Students will learn the underlying principles of how to design games, what games are and how they engage players. They will apply this knowledge to the analysis of games, the study of play, and the persuasive, transformative and educative potential of gaming experiences.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Fundamentals of game design; interactive techniques of gaming interfaces; social and collaborative techniques of game design; online game communities; trends in the games industry; mobile gaming; methods for studying play; persuasive games; gamification applications.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Apply the basic methodologies and conceptual skills of game design
- Develop an understanding of what games are and how games create meaningful play experiences for player
- Have knowledge of the changing landscapes of contemporary gaming, including mobile, virtual reality and augmented reality gaming experiences
- Understand how to apply qualitative and quantitative techniques in player experience research to critically analyse the design of games and other immersive interactive experiences
- Understand the motivational, transformative and powerful potentials for play and other ludic experiences in persuasive game design
- Be familiar with growing research into gamification, serious games and ‘games for health’.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
- The capacity to solve problems, including the collection and evaluation of information
- The capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection
- The ability to communicate designs and design thinking
- Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship
An expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, and the capacity to do so.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Or demonstrable equivalent knowledge of computing
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
COMP10003 | Media Computation | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Assignment 1: Written report critically evaluating a contemporary game (2000 words), identifying specific design goals and applying player experience evaluation techniques to assess the results. Approximately 20-25 hours of work in total. Addresses ILOs 1, 3, 5; week 5 (40%)
- Presentation: A 10 minute critical presentation of a persuasive or serious game during tutorials. Requiring approximately 10-12 hours of work. Addresses ILOS 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10; scheduled from week 4 onwards during semester (10%)
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Assignment 2: A written report presenting the design of a novel game, the results from an in-class play test, and critical reflection (2000 words). Approximately 20-25 hours of work in total. Addressees ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; due in week 12 (40%)
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Tutorial participation: Participation in group work activities. Addresses ILOs 2, 4, 5; throughout semester (10%)
Hurdle Requirement: To pass the subject, students must obtain:
- at least 50% of the marks available in Assignment 2
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2017
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Digital Technologies - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 27 April 2024