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
GAD4014	In-Game Lighting Design	Spring	3	0	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:	Departmental Elective
Course Level:	Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery:	Face to face
Course Coordinator :	Assoc. Prof. GÜVEN ÇATAK
Course Lecturer(s):	Instructor SERVER ZAFER MASALCI
Recommended Optional Program Components:	This course is a specialization course. Students taking this course are required to have basic visual design knowledge such as Unreal Engine game engine and light theory. Students who have not taken/completed the following courses should not take this course: GAD1005 - Game Design Thinking GAD2017 - Game Development I GAD2018 - Game Development II GAD2020 - Level Design
Course Objectives:	The main objective of this course to build a solid and comprehensive understanding of lighting pipeline in games by utilizing the fundamentals of lighting and color theory with Unreal Engine 5. This course contains both theoretical and practical applications on lighting design. There will be a final project which students are required to create their own lighted scene with the points taught during the classes. The most fundamental aspects of lighting, color and composition of scene will be explained, and students will be expected to complete assigned projects to demonstrate and develop their skills with the programs.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
By the end of this course, each student should:
1. Have a comprehensive understanding of the lighting pipeline for games.
2. Learn core elements of lighting, color, composition, and theories behind it.
3. Get a complete introduction to core competency with the Unreal Engine 5.
4. Learn how create well designed and composed lighted scenes.
5. Learn how to use baked and real-time rendering scenarios.
6. Learn how to use light in game for different gameplay scenarios.

Course Content

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Introduction to In-Game Lighting Design and Course Overview
2)	There's a dark side to everything: Understanding The Light	Asgmt #1: Lighting Examples
3)	Introduction to Unreal Engine 5 Light Actors, Grey boxing, Lighting with Lumen I	Practice #1: Creating Basic Scene with UE5
4)	Evoking The Feelings: Understanding Color	Practice #2: Adding Colors and Materials
5)	Lighting with Lumen II	Practice #3: Lighting Design with Lumen
6)	Beyond The Rule of Thirds: Understanding Composition	Asgmt. #2 Composition Examples
7)	Midterm Presentations	Midterm Presentations
8)	Believe in Light Through Darkness: Using Contrast in Lighting Design	Asgmt. #3: Analyze a Game’s Lighting Design
9)	Bake Lighting I	Asgmt. #3 Presentation
10)	Bake Lighting II	Practice #4: Lighting Design for Baked Scenarios
11)	Interaction with Light	Practice #5: Creating Interaction with Lights Using Blueprints
12)	May The Light Be with You: Guiding player with Light	Final Project Feedbacks
13)	Using RTX, Path Tracer and Octane Renderers in UE5	Final Project Feedbacks
14)	Lighting Optimization Techniques	Final Project Feedbacks

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:
References:	- Level Design: Concept, Theory, and Practice. R.Kremers (2009) - Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design - The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses. J.Schell (2008) - Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter. J. Gurney(2010) - Colour: A Workshop for Artists and Designers. D. Hornung(2005)

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Application	4	% 35
Midterms	1	% 25
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	4	56
Laboratory	5	2	10
Application	5	4	20
Presentations / Seminar	2	10	20
Homework Assignments	3	5	15
Midterms	1	3	3
Final	1	5	5
Total Workload			129

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.