Welcome to CISC 3667 - Game Design and Development!

This web-site will provide a basic course outline, syllabus, and anything else that is important for the class. Feel free to email any questions, suggestions, thoughts, etc.

• Eric Zimmerman, Play as Research: The Iterative Design Process


• What is a Game?
• Kevin Maroney, What is a Game?
• Jane McGonigal, Reality is Broken
• Jesse Schell, The Art of Game Design, Chapter 4
• Chris Crawford, My Definition of 'Game'


• Game Mechanics and Rules
• Rules of Play, by Salen & Zimmerman, Chapter 11-12
• Jesse Schell, The Art of Game Design, Chapter 5


• Players' Relationship to Rules
• Rules of Play, by Salen & Zimmerman, Chapter 21


• Objects/Attributes/States/Actions, Feedback Loops
• Jesse Schell, The Art of Game Design, Chapter 12
• Rules of Play, by Salen & Zimmerman, Chapter 18


• Serious Games
• James Paul Gee, Learning by Design: Good Video Games as Learning Machines


• Randomness and Probability
• Jesse Schell, The Art of Game Design, Chapter 12: Chance

In addition, you are more than welcome to read any other game design or development books you find interesting. Here are a few suggestions:

• The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell
• Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals by Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman
• Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games by Tracy Fullerton

If you have any suggestions for additional readings, please let me know!

Homework will be listed both here and on Brightspace and MUST be submitted via Brightspace unless instructed otherwise.

Homework:

• Homework 0: If I do not have it already, please email me your preferred email address to ensure that you receive any class messages that will be sent out.

• Homework 1: DUE 09/01 EOD - The purpose of this assignment is to critically examine what counts as a "game" through the lens of different game design theorists. Submit your 1-2 page response on Brightspace.


• In-Class Case Study: Players and Rules: DUE 09/29 EOD - The purpose of this assignment is to gain a better understanding of how different kinds of players interact with game rules and what that means for game design and fairness. Submit your response on Brightspace.

Group projects will be listed both here and on Brightspace and MUST be submitted via Brightspace unless instructed otherwise.

• Group Project 1: DUE 09/15 EOD
  • List of Group Project 1 Groups
  • Playtest Feedback Form

All Unity Labs will be listed both here and on Brightspace.

Each Lab builds upon the previous and will eventually grow into a project that MUST be submitted via Brightspace unless instructed otherwise.

• Unity Lab 1: Getting Started - Instructions