Preamble
- Course Title: Game Design (mwd 230)
- CRN: 42671
- Credits: 4
- Prerequisites: mwd 110 or permission from instructor
- Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
- Time: 2:55–4:10 pm
- Room: 316, Charles A Dana Hall
- Dates: 4 September–14 December 2019
- Professor: Roy Vanegas (pronounced “vuh-nay-gus”)
- Email: vanegas at hartford dot edu
- Phone: 860.768.5925
- Office: Charles A Dana Hall, Room 310B
- Office hours: Drop-in or by appointment on the following days:
- Mondays: 10:00–11:00 am and 1:30–2:30 pm
- Tuesdays: 9:00–11:00 am
- Wednesdays: 10:00–11:00 am and 1:30–2:30 pm
Description
This lecture and project-based course focuses on the theoretical and practical approaches to good game design. Students study art and design principles for developing engaging games, including game play, game balance, storytelling and narrative, character development, software engineering, animation, graphic design, music and sound effects, and game aesthetics. Using these principles, students analyze many types of games and design games of their own. The principles learned in this class apply to the casual game genre that includes platform games, scrolling games, tile-based games, card games, puzzle games, and shoot-’em-up games. Throughout the course there is an emphasis on the importance of play testing and revision, including documenting design.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand...
- and communicate the definition of what a game actually is;
- how to critically review games of all types;
- and, how to design and build games.
Textbook
Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design
Author: Scott Rogers
isbn: 978‒1‒118‒87716‒6
Schedule
Important Dates
- No class: 27 November (Thanksgiving recess)
- Assignment 1 due: 25 September
- Assignment 2 due: 12 October
- Assignment 3 due: 4 November
- Final project due: 16 December
Check the University’s official calendar for other important dates.
Note: Time permitting, I will make every attempt to cover the topics listed below in order. However, depending on the cadence of the class, some topics may be overlooked.
Week | Topics | Homework |
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One |
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Two |
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Watch
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Three |
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Readings
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Four |
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Readings
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Five |
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Readings
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Six |
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Readings
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Seven |
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Readings
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Eight |
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Readings
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Nine |
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Readings
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Ten |
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Readings
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Eleven |
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Readings
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Twelve |
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Readings
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Thirteen |
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Fourteen |
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Fifteen |
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Sixteen |
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Class Policies
- Consuming food in class. There is no eating inside our classroom, either during class or while on break. Eat before or after class. Drinks in covered containers, however, are allowed.
- Grading. I do not give grades — students earn them. The grade you earn is based strictly on a formula clearly listed in your syllabus, under the Grading Standards section.
Advice on Succeeding in Class
- Advice for Succeeding in Class (in Markdown)
- Advice for Succeeding in Class (in pdf)
Assignments
There are four projects for the semester: three homework-type assignments and one final project. (See the grading standards section regarding how each is used to calculate your grade.)
- Assignment (due 25 September 2019)
- Assignment (due 12 October 2019)
- Assignment (due 4 November 2019)
- Final project (due 19 December 2019)
Grading Standards
Grading Formula
Your grade for this course — explained by The University of Hartford here — will be computed using the following formula:
- Assignment 1 — 12%
- Assignment 2 — 12%
- Assignment 3 — 12%
- Final project — 54%
- Attendance and participation — 10%
This grading formula is unbending and will be adhered to strictly.
Important Note
Please, please do not try to negotiate a grade with me. By asking me to treat you favorably, you’re asking me to put you above your classmates. Manage your time well; I do not accept late work.
Academic Honesty
You are reminded of the college’s academic honesty policy. Ensure all the work you submit is your own.
Students with Disabilities
Read about how The University of Hartford supports students with disabilities: https://www.hartford.edu/academics/academic-support/accessibility-services/default.aspx
Contact
My email address is vanegas at hartford dot edu. However, I only communicate with students over email in emergency situations (pet emergency, personal tragedy, etc). For matters related to the class, you’re advised to see me in person before or after class, or during my office hours (see below).
Office Hours
My office hours are walk-in for quick questions and by appointment for more involved academic inquiries.
- Office: Charles A Dana Hall, Room 310B
- Office hours:
- Mondays: 10:00–11:00 am; 1:30–2:30 pm
- Tuesdays: 9:00–11:00 am
- Wednesdays: 10:00–11:00 am; 1:30–2:30 pm
If neither of the aforementioned times agrees with your schedule, we can make alternate arrangements to meet.