PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY
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
VCD4128	Game Studio	Spring Fall	2	2	3	5

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:	Hybrid
Course Coordinator :	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi İPEK TORUN
Course Lecturer(s):	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi GÜVEN ÇATAK
Recommended Optional Program Components:	VCD4113 Interactive Arts & Design
Course Objectives:	Main objective of the course is to introduce video games by focusing on their current status in new media and entertainment market; analyzing them with a sociocultural and multidiscipliner perspective; and experiencing the design process for various purposes like education, advertising, social media, etc. Discussion topics start with cultural and economic effects of games on society and follow the new trends like gamification, machinima, games for change, etc. As a midterm paper, students propose research topics relating games with non-game issues and environments. Working on game design process through the adventure genre is the other focus of the course. Adventure game mechanics and dynamics are defined to lead students for developing their own game concepts and design documents which serves as the final project.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1. Define the game culture and its current status in new media.
2. Recognize the video game history as an alternative guide for the digital evolution.
3. Recognize the relations of games with other disciplines.
4. Define the effects of games on society.
5. Recognize how games are used today in different areas.
6. Study the game design process through the adventure genre.
7. Identify game mechanics and dynamics through puzzle systems and visual interfaces.
8. Develop a game concept and its design document.
9. Recognize video games as a media for visual communication campaigns.

Course Content

Course Outline

The course is structured in two parts:

• First part focuses on how games influence everyday life and interact with other disciplines. Besides current trends like gamification and games for change, theoretical background of games is also dicussed. Regarding those topics, students propose a subject and prepare a research paper about it.
• Second part will concentrate on game development and design process through the adventure genre. Analyzing the game dynamics and mechanics of adventure games will form a basis for the students to develop their own game concepts and prepare design documents as a final project.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	1. introduction to course: review of the syllabus
2)	2. screening & discussion: push the button! Part1 history of games / social effects
3)	3. screening & discussion: push the button! Part2 history of games / current trends announcement of midterm paper
4)	4. discussing gamification / games for change
5)	5. discussing game art / machinima / art games
6)	6. discussing game genres introduction to game design focusing on adventure games
7)	7. presentation of midterms /discussion session
8)	8. screening 'existenz' reviewing adventure genre dynamics announcement of final project
9)	9. screening ‘making of another world’ focusing on adventure game interfaces discussing puzzle types & mechanics
10)	10. guest lecturer
11)	11. screening 'making of metal gear solid II' brainstorming on final project concepts
12)	12. workshop for the final project - first drafts synopsis / characters / game world / levels
13)	13. workshop for the final project - in progress gameplay / puzzles / audiovisual style
14)	14. workshop for the final project - final drafts designing the concept document

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:

- Game Work: Language, Power & Computer Game Culture
- The Computer Game Design Course: Principles, Practices & Techniques for the Aspiring Game Designer
- Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals
- Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design
- Gaming: Essays on Algorithmic Culture
- The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses
- Gamescenes: Art in the Age of Videogames
- Gamification by Design: Implementing Game Mechanics in Web and Mobile Apps
- Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World

References:

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	10	% 20
Midterms	1	% 35
Final	1	% 45
Total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 55
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 45
Total		% 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities	Number of Activities	Workload
Course Hours	14	42
Project	13	63
Final	3	21
Total Workload		126

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)	To prepare the students to become communication professionals by focusing on strategic thinking, professional writing, ethical practice and innovative use of traditional and new media
2)	To be able to create effective public relations plans using fundamental planning components that include situation analysis, public profile, objectives, strategies and tactics.
3)	To be able to apply theoretical concepts related to mass communication, consumer behavior, psychology, persuasion,sociology, marketing, and other related fields to understand how public realtions works.
4)	To be able to have the ability to explain and identify problems associated with the relationships between events and facts in the areas of public relations, persuasive communication, communication management, corporate communications.
5)	To be able to analyze primary and secondary research data in the fields of perception and reputation management and corporate communication practices.
6)	To be able to search, write, and design articles, newsletters, and fliers, brochures, and announcements, in styles and formats appropraite various audiences, mediums and settings.
7)	To be able to apply the underlying theories of communication and the necessities of work safety to different types of public relations processes and campaigns.
8)	To be able to develop creative and persuasive management skills in terms of reputation, employee relations, leadership and similar corporate practices.
9)	To be able to take responsibility in an individual capacity or as a team in generating solutions to given scenarios which can occur in public relations processes.
10)	To be able to understand how an organizational culture works and how employees and leaders create messages as a communication tool.
11)	To be able to critically discuss and interpret theories, concepts, methods, tools and ideas in the field of public relations.
12)	To be able to to use information, communication technologies and computer software with the required level of public relations, marketing communication, persuasive communication, communication management, corporate communications.
13)	To be able to explain and describe business marketing activities, economics, business law and global business practices.
14)	To be able to recognize national and international, social and cultural dimensions of public relations.