Game Design

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The teaching methodology is based on a combination of theoretical presentation and discussion of models, methods and instruments with practical application exercises in delimited contexts.

The student is required to autonomously execute 10 weekly assignments on relevant topics.

Students are also required to perform a group project where they will exercise the course techniques, and develop capacities for communication and work organization required in the project context.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit addresses the development of competencies required for the conception and production of original games. The student will develop an understanding of the characteristics of games as technical objects and human, social and learning activities, developing the  capacity for critical appreciation and synthesis of game proposals as interactive media products, and acquire competencies for applying techniques to the analysis, conception, construction and evaluation of computer games and game experiences, develop capacities for creativity, communication and organization of the production process in a team, preparing the student for industry or research with the capacity for autonomous learning in the area.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Historical perspective on the study of games and videogames 

2. Introduction to the Aesthetics of Participation

3. Modeling the Game Experience

4. Creativity and Design Methodologies

5. Sound Design in Games

6. Games and Player Populations

7. Games as Learning Contexts

8. Game Engine Architecture

9. Gameplay Experience Evaluation

10. Engagement Analytics

11. Game Balancing

12. Generative Techniques.

Head Lecturer(s)

Luís Manuel Santos Lucas Bento Pereira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 50.0%
Project: 50.0%

Bibliography

Johan Huizinga, Homo Ludens (excerpt)

Klabbers, The Magic Circle (excerpts)

Salem & Zimmerman, Rules of Play (excerpt)

Jesse Schell, The Art of Game Design (excerpt)

Tracy Fullerton, Game Design Workshop (excerpt)

Espen Arseth, Cybertext (excerpt)

Joseph Campbel, The hero's journey (synthesis)

Jason Gregory, Game Engine Architecture (excerpt)

Czikszentmihalyi, The Flow (optional)

 

Selecção de artigos científicos:

Jenova Chen, Flow in Games

Richard Bartle, Hearts Clubs Diamonds Spaces: Players who suit MUDS

Alves & Roque, Sound Design deck and pattern language www.soundingames.com

Araújo & Roque, Modeling Games with Petri Nets

Pereira & Roque, Towards a participation centrered model of gameplay exprience; case studies on gameplay metrics

Pereira & Roque, Design Guidelines for Learning games

Roque, A Sociotechnical Conjecture about the Context and Development of Multiplayer Online Game Experiences.