Game Design (INFO30009)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Assoc. Prof. Martin Gibbs
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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 and practices of game design, including human-centred design and design thinking approaches. The subject will explore the deeper conceptual foundations of the theory of games. 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 gaming experiences.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Fundamentals of game design; play-centric game design; design thinking and rapid prototyping; critical game evaluation; trends in the games industry and gaming communities; tabletop and digital games; methods for studying play; ethics and game design; value-led game design.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Apply the basic methodologies and conceptual skills of game design
- Value how games create meaningful play experiences for player
- Have knowledge of the landscapes of contemporary gaming, including technology, the gaming industry and player communities
- Articulate the motivational, transformative and powerful potentials for play and other ludic experiences to promote values in game design
- Understand and apply user-centred design principles and rapid prototyping in design practice
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: 4 March 2025