Term 1

Game Design Foundations

Game design principles and foundations will be studied during this term. The history of games will be explored to give a greater understanding of why games developed and evolved. Game player demographics and psychology will be analyzed to reveal who plays and why. The various game genres and platforms are researched and explored. Through a series of assignments, students will learn to design a game.

Duration: 3 months

Term 2

Game Design Roles and Tools

The core design elements in a game will be studied by deconstructing existing games and constructing new games. Students will learn how to develop new mechanics or game features. Defining a feature list, audience personas, core loops and core mechanics of a game.  The creation of a progression chart for a game is implemented using established games.  Using a computer game engine student will make improvements to games.

Duration: 3 months

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Term 3

Gameplay & Levels

Students will learn the principles of good level design, increasing entertainment for the player through the application of mechanics and loops in a game. Additional tools will be introduced to help develop initial concepts. Communication and implementation skills will be optimized will the aid of these tools. The different designer roles and their responsibilities will be expanded upon.

Duration: 3 months

Term 4

Portfolio & Final Projects

Students will design their own systems, levels and features within a game as their final project. This will be achieved through a series of assignments and milestones that will enable them to enhance the core elements of the game. Research of similar genre games and planning will be conducted in order to create a competitor’s analysis report. A vision statement for the new game idea will be created.

Duration: 3 months