Fundamentals of Game Design
Course code
IFI7376.DT
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Mängude kavandamise alused
Course title in English
Fundamentals of Game Design
ECTS credits
6.0
Assessment form
assessment
lecturer of 2024/2025 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
lecturer of 2025/2026 Autumn semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
To familiarise students with the primary mechanics used in the design and development of games.
Brief description of the course
The course is a hands-on practical course. Every class will involve the examination of a game mechanic. After this, the student will conceptualise and prototype a game based on the mechanics introduced in class.
This game will be playtested in the class and added to the students’ game design journal.
Some mechanics covered in the course are:
- chip taking;
- rock paper scissors and balancing mechanics;
- mechanics that add randomness and uncertainty;
- mechanics to represent space;
- mechanics to represent time;
- conflict and combat mechanics;
- symmetric and asymmetric mechanics;
- bidding mechanics.
The final assessment will be based on the game design journal and the production of a polished game prototype tested during the final class.
This game will be playtested in the class and added to the students’ game design journal.
Some mechanics covered in the course are:
- chip taking;
- rock paper scissors and balancing mechanics;
- mechanics that add randomness and uncertainty;
- mechanics to represent space;
- mechanics to represent time;
- conflict and combat mechanics;
- symmetric and asymmetric mechanics;
- bidding mechanics.
The final assessment will be based on the game design journal and the production of a polished game prototype tested during the final class.
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- understands the basic mechanics used in game design;
- adapts existing games by changing key mechanics;
- writes a set of first-order rules for a game;
- produces and tests a game prototype.
- understands the basic mechanics used in game design;
- adapts existing games by changing key mechanics;
- writes a set of first-order rules for a game;
- produces and tests a game prototype.
Teacher
Peadar Charles Callaghan
The course is a prerequisite
Study programmes containing that course