ahandrewh teaches IAT-165game design and development

January 7 (01)

Is fun?

An introduction to game design and thinking critically about games.

• Setting up our development environment
• Code tutorial on drawing using P5.js
• Thomas Was Alone critical play intro
• Introduction to P1: Pitching
• E1: Development setup
• Introduction to Critical play #1

January 14 (02)

Bits and bobs

Models of game design and the components that make a game.

• Code tutorial on variables
• Stanley Parable critical play
• E2: Mapping variables

• E1: Development setup

January 21 (03)

Mechanicals

An introduction to game mechanics.

• Code tutorial on functions
• Fluxx or Baba is You critical play
• Introduction to P2: A Tiny Game
• E3: Functioning

• P1: Pitching
• E2: Mapping variables

January 28 (04)

How to act

Working with user input and accessibility considerations.

• Code tutorial on user input and triggering events
• Spaceteam critical play
• E4: Acting on command

• E3: Functioning

February 4 (05)

Going with the flow

Planning out your game and prototyping.

• Coding tutorial on creating game states (eg. menu/play/pause)
• E5: Pause and play

• E4: Acting on command
• Critical play #1

February 11 (06)

Aligning bits

Translating a concept into gameplay and organizing your game development.

• Code tutorial on working with lists and arrays
• Kingdom: Classic or This War of Mine critical play
• Introduction to P3: Playtesting
• E6: Listing
• Introduction to Critical play #2

• P2: A Tiny Game
• E5: Pause and play

February 25 (07)

Play play play!

Planning and running playtesting of a game.

• Code tutorial on loops and iteration
• E7: Repetition

• E6: Listing

March 4 (08)

The core

Debugging, feedback and iteration in game design and development.

• In-class playtesting session for project
• Code tutorial on working with objects
• Introduction to P4: A Mini Game
• E8: Building an object

• P3: Playtesting
• E7: Repetition

March 11 (09)

The grid

User interface fundamentals for game design.

• Code tutorial on working with objects
• Dorfromantik or Stardew Valley critical play
• E9: Using an object

• E8: Building an object

March 18 (10)

It's complicated

An overview of different disciplines involved in game design.

• Work and support time for the final project
• E10: Survey

• E9: Using an object
• Critical play #2

March 25 (11)

From the 'real world'

Guest lecture on topics about game design and development.

• Work and support time for the final project

April 1 (12)

Gameday

Final debugging, playtesting and critique of projects.

• Work and support time for the final project

April 8 (13)

The game cabinet

Final presentation of games in the course game cabinet.

• P4: A Mini Game
• E10: Survey