Overview

This unit introduces key concepts in game design. It aims to develop a practical understanding of the design process particular to games building on interactive game structures established earlier in the course. It introduces key aspects of the games industry production methodology and creative industries working towards the production of a simple working game prototype.

Requisites

Prerequisites
GAM10001 Introduction to Game Studies

Rule
GAM10001 Introduction to Game Studies
OR
ART10004 Introduction to Game Studies

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Recognise and reflect on the relationship between game design and its place in culture and society
  • Demonstrate knowledge in the design, development and playtesting of board games using principles of game design
  • Formulate strategies for game design and marketing for specific audiences
  • Integrate and apply knowledge of the art and knowledge of the game industry
  • Apply aspects of narrative, mechanics, aesthetics and technology to the design, development, playtesting and production
  • Demonstrate the capacity to function and communicate effectively in meetings and using a game design document as an individual and in project teams

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture		2.00 12 weeks 24
On-campus
Class		2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		8.50 12 weeks 102
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentGroup 50% 1,2,3,4,5,6 
AssessmentGroup 30% 1,3,4 
ReportIndividual 20% 2,5 

Content

  • To introduce students to both the theory and practice of developing games
  • To explore concepts of gameplay via critical examination of past, current and future trends in the definition of play
  • To understand the game design process in practice
  • To build a game project prototype

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.