Class starts too early? You can't come to Klagenfurt in time? Fear not!We won't be meeting every single week, some assignments will be asynchronous with others (probably) taking place online, and we may even start our sessions a little later anyway (which will be discussed in our Welcome Session!).Students completing this class will be familiar with the most important terminology in video game criticism, and will be able to apply this knowledge to in-depth analyses of the medium.Important notice:Blended Learning integrates thoughtfully structured online activities into face-to-face courses. Detailed instructions about the schedule and procedure will be provided via e-mail and Moodle. To stay up-to-date, please make sure to check your AAU inboxes on a regular basis.This information is subject to change. Please check course description regularly for updates.

Short lecture inputs; hands-on analyses of selected games; participation in a Game Jam; discussions

Game ideas are cheap and plentiful. Advancing those ideas into games that people want to play is one of the hardest, and most under-appreciated, tasks in the game development cycle. This course introduces students to the craft of designing computer and video games, including a detailed analysis of the key game design elements, such as examining game concepts and worlds, storytelling, character and user interface design, core mechanics and balance. Plus, we will discuss the major game genres and identify the design patterns and unique creative challenges that characterize them. We'll start by taking a look at various examples, then moving forward to an accessible, practical approach to analyzing games (beginner's guide). Video games and other digital experiences have become the leading medium in western, post-/late modern societies, overcoming stereotypical expectations as to the gender and age of players. In order to be able to appreciate games and their socio-cultural potential accordingly, it is necessary to use an appropriate terminology and accurate critical methods - we must learn to 'read' games. This is what this class is there to achieve, to give students access to useful theories and then have them apply this knowledge to their hands-on, shared experience of selected games.Keywords/Topics:Development cycleCraft of designing (video) gamesGame design elementsMajor game genresVideo game marketingVideo game journalismPractical approach - analyzing gamesSocio-cultural potentialAppropriate terminologyCritical thinkingHands-on experience

No prior knowledge required.

Reading packets will be provided in digital form. There is no need to buy any books.Link auf weitere Informationenhttps://www.itec.aau.at/gamejam/

Active participation in class and at homeWritten assignment (game review)The use of AI support or AI-generated text is prohibited in all of my courses: In order to check whether this ban is respected, there is the possibility of a compulsory, individual, and oral follow-up defence of submitted or presented work. Should the use of AI be detected in any assignment, or a follow-up defence not be sufficient, the task concerned will automatically receive a fail-grade and your violation will be reported to university leadership, just as is the case with any other form of academic dishonesty or cheating.GSE Code of Conduct: Please join the Welcome Session to hear more on how both students and lecturers are expected to uphold their moral responsibilities within our program.

Active participation and written assignments: Documentation, analysis and critical reflection.For further information, please join the Welcome Session!

The game review complies with criteria explained during lecture. The final grade is an aggregate (three pillars of assessment):45% active participation45% game review10% video game quiz