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The subject is taught in Catalan, but both class contributions and assignments can be done in Catalan, Spanish or English.
The materials can be provided in Catalan as well as in Spanish or English.
E1. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of video games and analyze the reference video games with arguments based on evaluation criteria contextualized in the historical and cultural framework.
E2. Design the mechanics, rules, structure and narrative of video games following the criteria of gameplay and balance to provide the best possible gaming experience.
E3. Identify the type of player and design the game experience according to its psychological characteristics.
E5. Write the specifications of a game and communicate them effectively to the team of artists and developers and other members involved in the creation and development of the game.
G1. Demonstrate having and understanding advanced knowledge of their area of study that includes the theoretical, practical and methodological aspects, with a level of depth that reaches the forefront of knowledge.
G3. Gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues.
G4. Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to a specialized and non-specialized audience.
T2. Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team either as an additional member or performing management tasks in order to contribute to developing projects with pragmatism and a sense of responsibility, making commitments and taking into account available resources.
The subject Game Design I is the student's entry way into the role of digital game designer. The contents are aimed at broadening the student's creative horizon to be able to start documenting correctly and professionally the ideas that will later become a game. To acquire knowledge, the subject is assessed with individual and group work and a written exam.
Topic 1. Video game genres
1.1. Genres: concepts and central elements
1.2. Proposed taxonomies
1.3. Genres and types of players
Topic 2. Design and documentation of video games
1.1. The video game design process
1.2. The Game Concept and the Game Proposal
1.3. The Game Design Document
1.4. Other relevant design documents
1.5. Oral presentation of documentation
Topic 3. Game mechanics according to genres (I): Platforms
3.1. Historical evolution of the genre from the perspective of design
3.2. Central mechanics of the genre
3.3. Case study
Topic 4. Game mechanics according to genres (II): Role
4.1. Historical evolution of the genre from the perspective of design
4.2. Central mechanics of the genre
4.3. Case study
Topic 5. Game mechanics according to genres (III): Strategy and Simulation
5.1. Historical evolution of the genre from the perspective of design
5.2. Central mechanics of the genre
5.3. Case study
Each student's grade will be calculated based on the following percentages:
Final grade = A1 0,15 + A2 0,15 + A3 0,4 + A4 0,3
Considerations:
Recovery:
Ernest Adams & Joris Dormans (2012), Game Mechanics, Advanced game design.
Berkeley: New Riders Games.
Jesse Schell (2011), The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses. Amsterdam:
Elsevier / Morgan Kaufmann.
Katie Salen (2003), Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals. Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
Anna Anthropy & Naome Clark (2014), A Game Design vocabulary. Boston:
Addison-Wesley.
Caillois, R. (2001). Men play and games. University of Illinois Press.
Planells, AJ (2015). Video games and fictional worlds: From "Super Mario" to "Portal". Editions Cátedra
Scott Rogers, Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design, Wiley; 2 edition (April 28, 2014).
Tracy Fullerton, Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, Third Edition, AK Peters / CRC Press; 3rd edition (March 5, 2014).
Brenda Brathwaite and Ian Schreiber, Challenges for Game Designers, Cengage Learning; 1 edition (August 21, 2008)