| CODE | MKS3801 | ||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Digital Games Studies | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Media and Communications | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces students to the field of digital games studies. The study-unit takes into account the multidisciplinarity of the field, by focusing on the areas of analysis and design. Analysis of digital games presents the state of the research on the medium. The students are presented with critical analysis of digital games, and approach relevant literature in the field. Topics include approaching digital games with narrative theory, media philosophy applied to notions of interactivity, formal typologies of digital game mechanics, analysis of non-ephemeral content such as audio and video. Design of digital games presents elements of interaction design, with examples from contemporary digital games, together with a critical understandings on game design concepts and terminology. The student are introduced to general topics in design and interaction design, such as the relation of affordances and constraints in common objects and the concept of natural mapping. The practice of sketching is encouraged as the common ground of every design activity. Subsequently, the students work on constructing physical prototypes to test specific mechanics of existing digital games and new, original ideas. Study-unit Aims The core aims of the unit are as follows: - identify, analyze and evaluate problematic dimension in digital games; - elaborate design ideas through sketches and prototypes. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - develop a knowledge of digital games from an academic perspective; - critically evaluate key topics in digital game studies; - formally analyze basic elements of digital games design with emphasis on the early phases of design and development. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - develop and communicate digital game ideas through sketching and prototyping; - prepare academic papers and presentations relevant to digital game studies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Main text - Fullerton, T. (2008). Game Design Workshop, Second Edition: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games. Waltham, MA: Morgan Kaufmann. Supplementary readings - Aarseth, E. (2001). Computer Game Studies, Year One. Game Studies Vol. 1 (1), http://gamestudies.org/0101/editorial.html - Buxton, B. (2007). Sketching User Experiences. Getting the Design Right and the Right Design. Waltham, Massachussets: Morgan Kaufmann. Pp 95-119. - Collins, K. (2007). An Introduction to the Participatory and Non-Linear Aspects of Video Games Audio. Eds. Stan Hawkins and John Richardson. Essays on Sound and Vision. Helsinki: Helsinki University Press. pp. 263-298. http://www.gamessound.com/texts/interactive.pdf - Eskelinen, M. (2004). Towards Computer Game Studies. Electronic Book Review, First Person. http://www.electronicbookreview.com/thread/firstperson/anticolonial - Gray, K.; Gabler, K.; Shodhan, S., Kucic, Matt (2005). How to Prototype a Game in Under 7 Days. Gamasutra.com, October 26, 2005. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2438/how_to_prototype_a_game_in_under_7_.php - Norman, Donald (2002). The Design of Everyday Things. New York, Basic Books. Pp 1-28. - Ryan, M. (2001). Beyond Myth and Metaphor: The Case of Narrative in Digital Media. Game Studies Volume 1 (1). http://www.gamestudies.org/0101/ryan/ - Sicart, M. (2008). Defining Game Mechanics. Game Studies Volume 8(2). http://gamestudies.org/0802/articles/sicart - Swink, S. (2007). Game Feel: The Secret Ingredient. Gamasutra.com, November 23, 2007. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2322/game_feel_the_secret_ingredient.php - Zimmerman, E. (2003). Play as Research: The Iterative Design Process. http://www.ericzimmerman.com/texts/Iterative_Design.html |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Daniel Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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