Course Introduction and Syllabus

Mr. John Jennings

Welcome to IDM2: Ludology and Game Play

  • A comprehensive journey into game design fundamentals
  • Study of ludology—the science of games and gameplay
  • Foundation for understanding what makes games engaging
  • Preparation for creating your own game concepts

Course Focus Areas

Conceptual Foundations

  • Game design principles
  • Rules and mechanics
  • Player psychology
  • Storytelling elements

Practical Application

  • Idea generation techniques
  • Prototyping methods
  • Playtesting strategies
  • User experience design

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of game design principles and processes
  2. Evaluate and critique games based on mechanics and aesthetics
  3. Design proof of concept proposals for new games
  4. Implement prototypes to demonstrate your concepts

Course Structure: Two Main Units

Unit 1: Game Design

  • What Are Games
  • Design Process
  • Idea Generation
  • Target Audience
  • Storytelling & Characters
  • Mechanics & Rules
  • Player Experience
  • Game Environments

Unit 2: Implementation

  • Prototyping (Digital & Non-digital)
  • User Experience Design
  • Visual Design
  • Playtesting

Assessment Structure

No Final Exam - Continuous Assessment Only

40% Practical Assignments
Hands-on application of design principles

20% Case Study
In-depth analysis of existing games

40% Project
Develop and prototype your own game concept

Required Reading

Primary Textbooks

  • Tracy Fullerton - Game Design Workshop (3rd Edition)
  • Jesse Schell - The Art of Game Design (2nd Edition)

Supplementary Reading

  • Morgan McGuire - Creating Games
  • Scott Rogers - Level Up!
  • Raph Koster - Theory of Fun

Why This Course Matters

  • Games are a dominant cultural force
  • Interactive design principles apply beyond gaming
  • Critical thinking skills for digital media
  • Creative problem-solving methodologies
  • Industry-relevant portfolio development

Course Philosophy

Playcentric Approach

  • Focus on player experience first
  • Iterative design and testing
  • Understanding through making
  • Theory informed by practice

Critical Analysis

  • Evaluate existing games systematically
  • Understand design decisions and their impact
  • Develop informed design opinions

Getting Started

  • Obtain required textbooks
  • Set up reflective writing journal
  • Begin observing games critically
  • Start thinking like a designer
  • Prepare for hands-on learning

Questions?

Ready to explore the fascinating world of game design?