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
GAD1001	Fundamentals of Game Design I	Fall	2	2	3	6

Basic information

Language of instruction:	English
Type of course:	Must Course
Course Level:	Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery:	Face to face
Course Coordinator :	Instructor ERTUĞRUL SÜNGÜ
Course Lecturer(s):	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi GÜVEN ÇATAK
Course Objectives:	This course is a practical study of board and card game design and development processes from the perspective of a game designer.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Students taking the course;
1) Introducing the vocabulary and practices of board and card game design.
2) Presenting the stages of board and card game development from a game designer’s perspective.
3) Bringing an awareness on the game designer’s roles and functions at every level of the game development process, from pre-production to published product.
4) Students will have a general idea of the various roles, tasks, and practices of a game designer along the board and card game development process.
5) Students will be in possess of the vocabulary and the practices of game design and have the capacity to apply them along board and card game development.

Course Content

Fundamentals of Game Design I is a one-semester course that explores the fundamentals of game design. The focus of the class is the actual creation of several non-digital (off the computer) games. Just as art students might take “fundamentals” classes in figure drawing or color theory as part of their education to become visual artists, this class remains rooted squarely in the basics. It focuses on the elementals common to all games that are fundamental for a game designer working in any format, from sports to board games to computer and videogames. Although the focus of the course is on the creation of non-digital games, digital games will also be discussed and one of the assignments is the creation of a digital game concept pitch.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Orientation
2)	What is Game Design? What is a Game Designer? The Game Development Process
3)	Formal Elements/Basic Building Blocks of Games
4)	Games as Systems
5)	Games as Dramatic Structures
6)	Controlling Game Dynamics: Dominant Strategy, Game Balance, Reward Structure
7)	Prototyping and Testing Fundamentals
8)	Game Jam Guide: Designing the Path to Overcome an Extremely Tight Game Development Schedule
9)	Game Jam: First Step in the Term Project
10)	Term Project Development continued – Testing for Fun & Functionality
11)	Term Project Development continued – Testing for Functionality & Balance + Box Design
12)	Term Project Development continued – Testing for Balance + Box Design
13)	Term Project Development continued – Testing for Balance & Accessibility + Box Design
14)	Term Project Delivery and Presentations

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:	• Game Design Workshop by Tracey Fullerton • Rules of Play • Various articles & Visual materials
References:	- Game Design Workshop – Tracy Fullerton - Fundamentals of Game Design – Ernest Adams & Adam Rolling - Challenges for Game Designers – Brenda Brathwaite & Ian Schreiber

Evaluation System

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

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities	Number of Activities	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Course Hours	14	3	42
Application	10	3	30
Study Hours Out of Class	8	6	48
Midterms	1	3	3
Final	1	3	3
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)	Comprehend the conceptual importance of the game in the field of communication, ability to implement the player centered application to provide design.	5
2)	Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and ideas from various perspectives.	4
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.	3
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.	4
5)	Understand the technology and computational principles involved in developing games and master the use of game engines.	4
6)	Understand the process of creation and use of 2D and 3D assets and animation for video games.	1
7)	Understand and master the theories and methodologies of understanding and measuring player experience and utilize them during game development process.	1
8)	Comprehend and master how ideas, concepts and topics are conveyed via games followed by the utilization of these aspects during the development process.	3
9)	Manage the game design and development process employing complete documentation; following the full game production pipeline via documentation.	4
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.	1
11)	Understand the process of game publishing within industry standards besides development and utilize this knowledge practice.	1
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.	1