CSC-241 Fundamentals of Game Design

This course focuses on designing player-centric games and conveying these to a development team. Students will study elements of a game design document, develop sample documents to communicate their game concepts, and produce games in teams. Topics to be covered include elements of gameplay, game concepts, core mechanics, level and world design, character development and design, and storytelling and narrative. Industry games will be critiqued on how well they embody player-centric design. This course is designed for the AS Game Programming and Design student.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

CSC-141

Lecture Contact Hours

3

Lab Contact Hours

0

Other Contact Hours

0

Department

• Computer Science

Grading Scheme

• Letter

SUNY Gen Ed Credit

• No

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

• Spring

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Outline the key components of a player-centric video game including core mechanics, user interface, and the storytelling engine.
2. Construct essential elements necessary to compose a complete game design document.
3. Collaboratively produce games with a focus on adhering to a game design document.
4. Analyze the effects that design choices have on commercially published games.

View Course Outline

CSC 241: Fundamentals of Game Design

Department

Computer Science

Course Description

This course focuses on designing player-centric games and conveying these to a development team. Students will study elements of a game design document, develop sample documents to communicate their game concepts, and produce games in teams. Topics to be covered include elements of gameplay, game concepts, core mechanics, level and world design, character development and design, and storytelling and narrative. Industry games will be critiqued on how well they embody player-centric design. This course is designed for the AS Game Programming and Design student.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Spring

Prerequisites

CSC-141

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Outline the key components of a player-centric video game including core mechanics, user interface, and the storytelling engine.
2. Construct essential elements necessary to compose a complete game design document.
3. Collaboratively produce games with a focus on adhering to a game design document.
4. Analyze the effects that design choices have on commercially published games.

Topic Outline

1. The Elements of Game Design
   1. Games and Videogames
   2. The Design Process
   3. Game Concepts
   4. Game Worlds
   5. Creative and Constructive Play
   6. Character Development
   7. Storytelling and Narrative
   8. Creating the User Experience
   9. Gameplay
   10. The Internal Economy of Games
   11. Game Balancing
   12. General principles of Level Design
2. The Genres of Games
   1. Action Games
   2. Strategy Games
   3. Role-Playing Games
   4. Sports Games
   5. Vehicle Simulations
   6. Construction and Management Simulations
   7. Adventure Games
   8. Artificial Life, Puzzle Games, and Other Genres
   9. Online Games
   10. The Future of Gaming