All dates and assignments are tentative except for the final exam
date. I will adjust this schedule as the semester progresses.
| Week |
Tuesday Class |
Thursday Class |
Readings |
| 1 Jan 5, 7 |
(no class) |
(no class — snow day!) |
|
| 2 Jan 12, 14 |
Assign first game teams
Lecture: Working in a
Group |
Lecture:
Introduction to
Game Design |
|
| 3 Jan 19, 21 |
Lecture:
Play, The Magic Circle, and Rules as Limitations and
Affordances |
Assignment: Game Analysis #1
Lecture:
Definitions of Game
Play |
|
| 4 Jan 26, 28 |
Lecture: A Game Ontology |
Game Analysis #1 due (midnight)
|
Part 1: Design Theory
(pp. 12–31) |
| 5 Feb 2, 4 |
First game due
|
Assign second game teams
"Mobile Phone Applications and
Cellular South", presentation by Steve Davidson |
|
| 6 Feb 9, 11 |
Assignment: Game demo choice
Lecture:
Game
Mechanics and Genres |
Lecture:
Game Structures and implications |
|
| 7 Feb 16, 18 |
Second game concept due
Game demo choice due |
Assignment: Game Analysis #2 (Non-Video Game)
Game Demo: Fifa
10 (Sports) |
|
| 8 Feb 23, 25 |
Midterm Exam:
bring a laptop!
open-book, open internet |
Game Demo: Battlezone II (FPS/RTS)
Lecture:
Narratives and Objectives |
|
| 9 Mar 2, 4 |
Second game due
Assign third game teams |
Game Analysis #2 due (midnight)
Game Demo:
Jewel Quest 3 (Puzzle) |
|
| 10 Mar 9, 11 |
Game Demo: Guitar Hero 5 for Wii (Rhythm)
Lecture:
Idea Generation |
Game Demo: New Super Mario Brothers for Wii (Platform) |
Part 2: Design Process
(pp. 72–160) |
| Mar 16, 18 |
(no class — Spring Break) |
(no class — Spring Break) |
|
| 11 Mar 23, 25 |
Ed out of town
Lecture:
Designing |
Game Demo: Diablo II (Role Playing)
Lecture:
Game Concept Documents |
|
| 12 Mar 30, Apr 1 |
Game Demo: Dance Dance Revolution Supernova 2 (Rhythm)
Lecture:
Environment Design |
Game Demo: Wii Fit (Platform) |
|
| 13 Apr 6, 8 |
Game Demo: Wipeout Vehicle for PS3 (Vehicle Sim)
Lecture:
Level Design |
Third game concept due
Game Demo: Champions
Online (MMO Role Playing) |
|
| 14 Apr 13, 15 |
Game Demo: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (First-Person Shooter) |
Game Demo: Ninja Gaiden (Adventure Fighting)
Lecture:
Character Design |
|
| 15 Apr 20, 22 |
No class meeting |
Third game class presentation
Game
Demo Night, 6 pm |
|
| 16 |
Mon, April 26: Final Exam, 3–6 pm, Butler
103 |