DIGITAL GAME DESIGN
Bachelor	TR-NQF-HE: Level 6	QF-EHEA: First Cycle	EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code	Course Name	Semester	Theoretical	Practical	Credit	ECTS
GAD5204	Playful Experience Design	Spring	3	0	3	8

This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction:	English
Type of course:	Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level:	Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery:	Face to face
Course Coordinator :	Assoc. Prof. GÜVEN ÇATAK
Recommended Optional Program Components:	None
Course Objectives:	In order to understand how game works and how the concept of play is and can be integrated to our lives, students must understand the fundamentals of gamification and business applications of gamification and game design. The course will give a hands-on approach to play theory, and an academic understanding of the practice of playful design.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1) Understand the fundementals of game and play
2) Define, measure and evaluate the different metrics and key performance indicators for applications that provide playful experience across a range of dimensions
3) Design, develop, and evaluate a playful interaction concept project for a real-world case
4) Percieve fundemental methods and theory related to player experience
5) Understand game design and game studies, as well as user experience perspectives for interaction design, and human computer interaction
6) Apply behaviour analysis via playful interaction
7) Form relation between game elements and personal motivations for gamification projects

Course Content

In order to understand how game works and how the concept of play is and can be integrated to our lives, students must understand the fundementals of game experience approaches, business reflections and applications of game design. The course will give a hands-on approach to play theory, and an academic understanding of the practice of playful experience design.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Introduction
2)	Game and Play
3)	Sociology of Games
4)	Meaningful Game Mechanics
5)	Draft Project Assignment	Preliminary Gamification Idea Generation Assignment
6)	New Approaches in Playful Interactions and Player Experience I
7)	New Approaches in Playful Interactions and Player Experience II	Preparing the Hero’s Journey of a Game
8)	Midterm Project
9)	Case Studies and Motivation
10)	Persona & Activity Cycles
11)	Gamification Frameworks	Persona Assignment
12)	Flaneur & Gameur
13)	The End game of Gamification
14)	The Final Project	The final projects are discussed and presented

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:

References:

Too much fun: Toys as social problems and the interpretation of culture. Best, Joel. 1998 The Practice of Everyday Life, Michel de Certeau (1974)
Csikszentmihalyi, M., Beyond Boredom and Anxiety. The Experience of Play in Work and Games,1975 (Jossey-Bass Publishers).
Why We Play Games: Four Keys to More Emotion Without Story. Lazzaro, N. 2004
Hodent, C. (2017). The Gamer’s Brain: How Neuroscience and UX Can Impact Video Game Design. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	1	% 10
Homework Assignments	2	% 30
Midterms	1	% 20
Final	1	% 40
Total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 40
Total		% 100

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect	1 Lowest	2 Low	3 Average	4 High	5 Highest

	Program Outcomes	Level of Contribution
1)	Comprehend the conceptual importance of the game in the field of communication, ability to implement the player centered application to provide design.
2)	Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and ideas from various perspectives.
3)	Analyze the key elements that make up specific game genres, forms of interactions, mode of narratives and understand how they are employed effectively to create a successful game.
4)	Understand game design theories and methods as well as implement them during game development; to make enjoyable, attractive, instructional and immersive according to the target audience.
5)	Understand the technology and computational principles involved in developing games and master the use of game engines.
6)	Understand the process of creation and use of 2D and 3D assets and animation for video games.
7)	Understand and master the theories and methodologies of understanding and measuring player experience and utilize them during game development process.
8)	Comprehend and master how ideas, concepts and topics are conveyed via games followed by the utilization of these aspects during the development process.
9)	Manage the game design and development process employing complete documentation; following the full game production pipeline via documentation.
10)	Understand and employ the structure and work modes of game development teams; comprehend the responsibilities of team members and collaborations between them while utilizing this knowledge in practice.
11)	Understand the process of game publishing within industry standards besides development and utilize this knowledge practice.
12)	Pitching a video game to developers, publishers, and players; mastering the art of effectively communicating and marketing the features and commercial potential of new ideas, concepts or games.