This module will cover the scope of the official module description, including historical perspectives from both consumer and industry standpoints. In addition, students will undertake a practically driven course in game design using the Game Maker development tool. This will include an element of 'visual' programming, but Game Maker is designed to allow game design skills to be taught without the need for in-depth programming knowledge (see screenshot).  There will also be a strong focus on using games for teaching and learning within the context of the growing 'serious games' community. Students will be expected to use the evaluation strategies they have studied in the course to design and create a prototype gaming episode intended for learning. Students will be assessed on their application of research and theory in their prototypes and not their programming skills.

Game Maker's drag and drop programming system

Course Content:

Assessment:

Session Times:

Always, subject to change ;)

Date	Time	Room	Topic	Lecturer
Mon 6th Feb	11-12	C1	1a. Background, history and state of the art	Jake
Wed 8th Feb	10-12	B46	7a. Game Maker practical (Evil Clutches / Gal Mail)	Jake
Mon 13th Feb	11-12	C1	1b.The game development industry	Jake
Wed 15th Feb	10-12	B46	4a. Practical game design: game mechanics	Jake
Wed 15th Feb	4:30+	A23	Guest lecture : Judy Robertson	Jake
Mon 20th Feb	11-12	C1	2a. Serious games	Jake
Wed 22nd Feb	10-12	B46	7b. Game Maker practical (Koalabr8)	Jake
Mon 27th Feb	11-12	C1	2b. Intrinsic Integration	Jake
Wed 1st Mar	10-12	B46	4b. Practical game design: level design	Jake
Mon 6th Mar	11-12	C1	2c. Games and Learning: Research Themes	Jake
Wed 8th Mar	10-12	B46	7c. Game Maker practical (Koalabr8 Level)	Jake
Mon 13th Mar	11-12	C1	3. Research methods for games (students)	Jake
Wed 15th Mar	10-12	B46	4c. Practical game design: balance	Jake
Mon 20th Mar	11-12	MRL	5a. Mobile games and performance	Steve
Wed 22nd Mar	10-12	MRL	5b. Mobile games and performance	Steve
Easter
Wed 26th Apr	10-12	B46	7d. Practical support labs	Jake
Mon 1st May	Bank Holiday
Wed 3rd May	10-12	B46	7d. Practical support labs	Jake
Mon 8th May	11-12	MRL	5c. Mobile games and performance	Steve
Wed 10th May	10-12	B46	6. Ethical debates in gaming (students)	Jake

Lecture Slides:

• Lecture 1: Background, history and state of the art.

• Lecture 2: The game development industry.

• Lecture 3: Serious games.

• Lecture 4: Intrinsic integration.

• Lecture 5: Research themes.

• Game Design Notes 1: Motivation and mechanics

• Game Design Notes 2: Progression (levels and features)

• Game Design Notes 3: Balance (multiplayer games)

• Pervasive Gaming: Resources Page
  

• Guest Lecture: Judy Robertson

Recommended Reading:

I wouldn't buy any of these unless you're seriously interested. There's not much chance of physically finding them in the library, but many are available electronically.

Game Design/Development:

• The Art of Computer Game Design, Chris Crawford, 1982 (available online!)

• Rules of Play, Salen and Zimmermann, 2004 (seriously academic)

• Game Architecture and Design, Andrew Rollings, 2003 (a classic IMHO)

• A Theory of Fun for Game Design, Raph Koster, 2005 (e-library resource)

• Mind at Play, Loftus and Loftus, 1984 (psychology of video games - online?)

• The Game Maker's Apprentice, Me and Mark Overmars (hobbyist audience)

• Gender Inclusive Game Design, Sheri Graner Ray, 2002 (e-library resource)

• Killing Monsters, Gerard Jones, 2002 (children, fantasy and violence)

Serious Games / Games and Learning:

• What Video Games Have to Teach us about Learning and Literacy, James Paul Gee, 2003 (e-library resource)

• Digital Game Based Learning, Mark Prensky, 2001 (e-library resource)

Other E-library Resources:

I can't recommend them, as I haven't read them, but they could be good... Also try searching here for more e-books: 

Game Design/Development:

• Game Design Second Edition, Bob Bates, 2004 (e-library resource)

• Game Level Design, Ed Byrne, 2004 (e-library resource)

• Patterns in Game Design, Bjork and Holopainen, 2004 (e-library resource)

• Game Interface Design, Fox Brent, 2004 (e-library resource)

Serious Games / Games and Learning:

• Serious Games: Games that Educate, Train and Inform, Michael and Chen, 2005 (e-library resource)

• Second Generation E-Learning: Serious Games, Drew Davidson, 2004 (e-library resource)

Professional Resources:

• Gamasutra - industry website containing interesting articles on design and development

• Gamesindustry.biz - industry news website

• Develop - UK development industry website/magazine (free subscription)

• MCV - UK retail industry website/magazine

• International Game Developers Association (IGDA) - website

Getting into the Games Industry:

• Blitz Games - advice on getting into the games industry.

• Bitmap Brothers - advice on getting into the games industry.

Other Resources:

• Goldsmith and Mann's patent application for the first ever video game.

• An interactive history of computer and video games.

Pong
(Atari,1972)

Breakout
(Atari, 1976)

Space Invaders
(Taito, 1978)

Asteroids
(Atari,1979)

Pacman
(Namco,1980)

Donkey Kong
(Nintendo,1981)

Tetris
(USSR,1985)

Gauntlet
(Atari,1985)

Outrun
(SEGA,1986)

Populous
(Bullfrog, 1989)

Lemmings
(DMA Design,1991)

Sonic The Hedgehog
(SEGA,1991)