Fall 2018 - IAT 210 D100

Introduction to Game Studies: Theory and Design (3)

Class Number: 7340

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 15, 2018
    Sat, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Servet Ulas
  • Prerequisites:

    Completion of 21 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Reviews the history of games, tracing the evolution of game design from board and card games through the latest electronic products. Examines the medium of games through various lenses: games as rules (game design), games as play (game experience), and games as culture (culture within games, and role of games and game cultures). Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

An introduction to the medium of games. Reviews the history of games, tracing the evolution of game design from board and card games through the latest digital games. Examines the medium of games through various lenses: games as rules (game design), games as play (game experience), and games as culture (the cultures within games, and the role of games and game cultures within our broader culture). Students are introduced to the concepts of game narrative, the influence of technology in digital games, the emergence of game paradigms such as social media, mobile games, serious games and game ‘modding’, as well as models and trends within the games industry.

[Note: Course Outline details below are subject to minor revision.]

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Course Topics:

  • history of games
  • games as a medium: "Magic Circle", game rules, game design, role of choice and challenge, game genres
  • games as play: the varieties of game experience
  • games as culture
    • cultures within games
    • games within our broader culture
    • games and social issues: gender, violence, addiction
  • games and narrative
  • games and technology (computation, role of AI, innovative interface models)
  • emergent game paradigms
    • social and networked games
    • mobile games
    • locative games
    • "art" games
    • participatory gaming
    • "serious games", educational games, "gamification"
  • games industry - business models and trends

Learning Activities
The class will include lectures, screenings, class discussions, course readings, Canvas materials & discussion board, writing assignments and game project assignments. Some game design assignments, exercises and short quizzes will be conducted during class times.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
  • Write and think critically about the history and evolution of games, including the situation of specific games within recognized game genres.
  • Analyze the design of traditional and digital games, identifying the role of critical design variables such as challenge, choice, asset allocation, role of narrative, etc.
  • Analyze and critique game experience, relating it to the fundamentals of game design.
  • Identify and discuss critical cultural and social issues in games and game cultures.
  • Identify the roles of technology in supporting and extending the design and experience of electronic games.
  • Identify and discuss a variety of emergent game paradigms.
  • Identify trends and issues in the games industry and the economy of games.

Grading

  • Short in-class & homework projects, quizzes, worksheets 25%
  • Analysis of Board Game 10%
  • Analysis of Electronic Game 15%
  • Term Paper - selected topic 20%
  • Final Exam 30%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

This course requires the use of iClickers to collect in-class responses from students. You may use the iClicker1 or 2 for all iClicker assignments in class. Alternately, you may sign up for the iClickerGO service directly through <https://www.iclickergo.com/> to use the app on your smartphone or laptop.

REQUIRED READING:

IAT 210 Custom Courseware Pack, plus other readings as assigned.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS