Welcome! This course is an introduction to the primary concepts of gaming, and an exploration of how these basic concepts affect the way gamers interact with our games. In this course you will understand what defines a “game” and the mechanics and rules behind different types of games. Through four linked assignments you'll learn ways to create and describe a game concept, and specifically what makes a compelling game. This course focuses on the conceptual underpinnings of games, and all assignments can be completed with a pencil and paper – no previous programming knowledge is required.
This course is part of the Game Design: Art and Concepts Specialization
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Game Design: Art and Concepts SpecializationCalifornia Institute of the ArtsAbout this Course
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Flexible deadlines
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Shareable Certificate
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Course 1 of 5 in the
Beginner Level
Approx. 6 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), Arabic, French, Ukrainian, Portuguese (European), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish, Hungarian
Skills you will gain
- Video Game Development
- Gameplay
- Video Game Design
- Game Design
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 5 in the
Beginner Level
Approx. 6 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), Arabic, French, Ukrainian, Portuguese (European), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish, Hungarian
Offered by
California Institute of the Arts
CalArts has earned an international reputation as the leading college of the visual and performing arts in the United States. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Week 1: The Simplest Games
This week we start at the beginning: what are the principles of very simple games, like Hangman and tic-tac-toe? How do these games work? Why do people play them? What are the elements that define games and the gaming experience? And finally, what do games have in common with each other, and what sets them apart? In addition to covering the basics and ground rules for this course, we'll conclude this week with a very simple, low-tech assignment: create a game on a single sheet of paper.
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 17 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
1 hour to complete
Week 2: Rules and Discovery
How does a player learn the mechanics of your game? How do they learn anything about your game? This week we will talk about the rules that define gameplay, and how those rules are communicated to your players. We also discuss the way rules are bent and broken by players.
1 hour to complete
6 videos (Total 19 min)
2 hours to complete
Week 3: Tell a Story
How does narrative drive a player to start playing your game? Or to finish it? This week we'll look at some of the ways you can make your game more compelling with story, and discuss some of the ways story can drive gameplay forward, or enable a player to make their own way through it.
2 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 32 min)
2 hours to complete
Week 4: The Friend and the Enemy
What purpose does an enemy serve in a game? What effect does a second player have on two-player games? Can a game work without an adversary or a final goal? We'll address all of those questions in this last week of the class, and work towards finalizing your board game project with characters.
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 27 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
Reviews
- 5 stars79.46%
- 4 stars16.34%
- 3 stars2.81%
- 2 stars0.81%
- 1 star0.57%
TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO GAME DESIGN
by JLJan 6, 2016
Simple, clean course that focuses beautifully on the core of what is being taught. Also very enjoyable vibe to the instructor and the assignments; there's a puppet as a TA... enough said. :)
by AOJun 29, 2019
This course is excellently presented, with a nice splash of humour. Great core concepts covered and the assignments really impart the importance of play testing and prototyping.
by JSOct 14, 2015
Fran Krause is the best teacher. He really knows what are games, what we use them for and How make them fun! In simply steps he tought me that game designing is what i want to do in my life
by YXDec 5, 2015
This course inspire me a lot. It is not easy, but with tons of fun. I spent a long time to think out the idea and make it and improve it. I did progress in gaming making as a fresh man. Thank you!
About the Game Design: Art and Concepts Specialization
Stemming from the principles of storytelling and design established in CalArts’ renowned Animation programs, this Specialization lays a primary foundation for experimentation and exploration of video game design, story, character development, and winning gameplay before programming begins. These four courses emphasize the self-reliance and personal expression of the gaming artist, and encourage you to take conceptual risks and develop new modes of expression and form through gaming. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll put your creative skills to work by generating an engaging game design document for a personal game project, outlining the conceptual, narrative and aesthetic elements of your game.
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