GAME 210: Basic Game Design
Instructor: Professor Mike Breault
Office: Art and Design, Room 2020
Office Hours: Tu 2:30-4:00
Email: mbreault@gmu.edu
(Email is best way to reach me!)
Credit Hours: 3
Lectures: Tu 4:30-7:10 / 7:30-10:00
Room: Art and Design, Room 1018
Term: Spring Semester 2015
Phone: (703) 993-5734
Save Early, Save Often, Save Versions!
NOTE: This class is in closed Beta and is subject to change.
Course description:
Through the detailed study of published games, students will learn many aspects of game
development and how different members of a development team contribute to a game. A
strong focus on the elements of game design and process will support class projects.
Objectives:
Students who complete this course will:
A) Gain a solid grasp of elements and processes of game design
B) Know the basics of the video game industry and market
C) Understand game strategy, theory, and gameplay
D) Learn the roles within a game development team
E) Analyze and develop game concepts and proposals
F) Build a video game of their own design
Requirements and Evaluation:
1. Students should arrive at class prepared to discuss the assigned readings, work, and
game examples. Students should also be prepared to discuss with their groups the status
of their project(s).
2. Students will use the concepts and terminology of game development to write and
speak about games, in class and in papers. Students should understand games as a form of
art and also as a form of persuasive play.
3. The mid-term project will consist of an original game concept developed by students, a
prototype of the game, and sufficient supporting material to define the concept, core
mechanics, visual look and feel, and the intended market for the game. This project will
begin early in the semester.
4. For the final project, student teams will submit and present to the class a game design
document and a working prototype of a game built with an established game engine.
Students will evaluate their fellow team members for contributions to the project.
5. Projects and readings will be assigned to complement most lectures.
6. Some assignments cannot be made up after the due date. Please follow the course
outline, Blackboard, and email to know when assignments are due.
2
7. Frequently save multiple versions of your assignments. Save As to online file sharing
sites and to your portable drives so you always have more than one copy. Use version
numbers when saving -- older versions of your files may be useful when the latest version
gets corrupted or when you want to revert to an earlier version. Software or hardware
crashes are not acceptable excuses for late or missing work.
8. We will use online forums for part of our discussions of the books. You will be
expected to write and comment in a thoughtful, respectful, and scholarly manner.
Required Materials:
1. The Art of Game Design (AGD), 2nd Edition, Schell, 2014, A K Peters/CRC Press
2. Level Up! (LU), 2nd Edition, Rogers, 2014, Wiley
Recommended Materials:
PC Desktop/Laptop (for working on projects outside of class)
USB Flash Drive or online file sharing account (for project data)
Game development app (Construct 2, Unity, etc.)
Grading:
Level
12
11
10
09
08
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
Name
Ultimate Boss
Zone Boss
Mini-Boss
Servant
Minion
Mob
Lackey
Drudge
Toady
Griefer
Troll
N00b
XP
1860-2000
1800
1740
1660
1600
1540
1460
1400
1340
1260
1200
0-1199
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
You begin at Level 1 (N00b) with 0 XP. Leveling up at the beginning is harder than at
the end, different from a typical MMO leveling curve.
Experience Point Total: 2000 XP available for the class, awarded as below:
Class Participation/Attendance = 375 XP (25 XP per class):
To get full credit you must arrive on time, participate in class discussions, answer
questions, and work only on GAME 210 class material during class.
3
Blackboard Discussions = 375 XP (25 XP per week):
Each week there will be a game design or game development topic to discuss in
Blackboard forums. All students are expected to participate, contributing in a meaningful
and always respectful way.
Note: Discussion boards close at midnight Monday every week. More points are given to
students who post earlier in the week.
Weekly Assignments = 350 XP (35 XP per assignment):
Most weeks, students will have an individual or group assignment to turn in via
Blackboard, due before the start of class.
Project 1 = 300 XP:
60XP High Concept Doc, 60XP Game Design Doc (GDD) Draft, 60XP GDD Final,
30XP Presentation Attendance, 90XP Presentation
Project 2 = 500 XP:
100XP Team GDD, 50XP Team Evaluation, 100XP Final Presentation (including
attendance), 250XP Final Game (Note: Your final game grade is based in part on your
self and teammate evaluations.)
Expansion Pack = 100 XP:
Extra credit for extra work, going above and beyond what’s asked. Instructor’s
discretionary fund.
GMU Add/Drop Policy: The last day to drop this class with no tuition liability is Jan
27th. Last day to drop is Feb 20th. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that he/she is
properly enrolled as no credit will be awarded to students who are not.
Academic Integrity:
Mason is an Honor Code university; please see the University Catalog for a full
description of the code and the honor committee process. The principle of academic
integrity is taken very seriously and violations are treated gravely. What does academic
integrity mean in this course? Essentially this: when you are responsible for a task, you
will perform that task. When you rely on someone else’s work to perform that task, you
will give full credit in the proper, accepted form. Another aspect of academic integrity is
the free play of ideas. Vigorous discussion and debate are encouraged in this course, with
the firm expectation that all aspects of the class will be conducted with civility and
respect for differing ideas, perspectives, and traditions. When in doubt, please ask for
guidance and clarification.
GMU Honor Code:
http://oai.gmu.edu/honor-code/ Honor Code: To promote a stronger sense of mutual
responsibility, respect, trust, and fairness among all members of the George Mason
University community and with the desire for greater academic and personal
4
achievement, we, the student members of the university community, have set forth this
honor code: Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to
cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work.
Mason Email Accounts:
Students must use their MasonLIVE email account to receive important University
information, including messages related to this class. See http://masonlive.gmu.edu for
more information. All digital communication with the professor must be via your
MasonLIVE email account.
Office of Disability Services:
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see
me and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 993-2474. Students must
inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester, and the specific accommodation
will be arranged through the Disability Resource Center. http://ods.gmu.edu
Writing Center:
A114 Robinson Hall; (703) 993-1200 http://writingcenter.gmu.edu
University Libraries:
“Ask a Librarian” http://library.gmu.edu/mudge/IM/IMRef.html
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS):
(703) 993-2380; http://caps.gmu.edu
University Policies:
The University Catalog, http://catalog.gmu.edu, is the central resource for university
policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in university academic affairs. Other
policies are available at http://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/. All members of the university
community are responsible for knowing and following established policies.
Sign up for the Mason Alert System by visiting the website https://alert.gmu.edu, and
an emergency poster exists in each classroom explaining what to do in the event of crises;
emergency procedures exists on http://www.gmu.edu/service/cert.
Class Schedule (subject to change)
Jan 20
Introductions. Class expectations and projects.
Discussion Topic: Game Design -- Crafting the player experience
Jan 27
Discussion Topic: What is a game?
Discussion Topic: Project 1 teams assigned
Reading Assignment: Art of Game Design (AGD): Ch. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Reading Assignment: Level up! (LU): Ch. 2
Assignment Due: High concept doc - Post to Blackboard by Sunday night
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
5
Feb 3
Discussion Topic: Games and Developers
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 1, 7, 25, 33, 34
Reading Assignment: LU: Ch. 2
Assignment Due: Team Project 1: High concept doc -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
Feb 10
Discussion Topic: Game Players
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 9, 10, 11, 16, 32
Assignment Due: Player Archetypes -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
Feb 17
Discussion Topic: Story in Games
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 17 - 20
Reading Assignment: LU: Ch. 3, 5, 16, 17, BonusLvl 4
Assignment Due: Arcade game story -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Team Project 1: GDD (first draft) -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
Feb 24
Discussion Topic: Game Worlds
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 21, 22
Reading Assignment: LU: Ch. 9, BonusLvl 6
Assignment Due: Team Project 1: GDD (final) -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
March 3
Discussion Topic: Game Mechanics
Discussion Topic: Project 2 teams assigned
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 12, 13, 14
Reading Assignment: LU: Ch. 12, 13, BonusLvls 5, 7, 8, 9
Assignment Due: 1st Team Project Presentations!
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
March 10
SPRING BREAK
March 17
Discussion Topic: Gameplay & Multiplayer Considerations
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 23, 24
Reading Assignment: LU: Ch. 10, 11, 14
Assignment Due: Team Project 2: High Concept doc -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
March 24
Discussion Topic: User Interface
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 15
Reading Assignment: LU: Ch. 5, 6, 7,
Assignment Due: Team Project 2: GDD (rough draft) -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
6
March 31
Discussion Topic: Game Documentation
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 26
Reading Assignment: LU: Ch. 4, BonusLvls 1, 2, 3, 10
Assignment Due: Team Project 2: GDD (final) -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
April 7
Discussion Topic: Testing, Feedback, and Iteration
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 8, 27
Assignment Due: Feedback on other teams’ GDDs -- post to BB
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
April 14
Discussion Topic: Real World Considerations
In-Class Team Project 2 Work
Reading Assignment: AGD: Ch. 29, 30, 31
Reading Assignment: LU: Ch. 15, 18
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
April 21
Team Project Focus Groups
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
April 28
FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS (Attendance Mandatory)
Assignment Due: Blackboard discussion
May 5
FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS (Attendance Mandatory
*Last Day of Class*