University of Essex

CE810-7-AU-CO:
Game Design

The details

Year: 2024/25

Department: Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 03 October 2024

End date: Friday 13 December 2024

Credits: 15

Last updated: 17 June 2022

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): CE817

Key module for

MSC G61012 Computer Games,
MSC G456N4 Computing

Module description

The module examines the nature of fun and engagement in the context of game design, including the study of how to integrate narrative into gameplay. It aims to equip students with the theoretical tools necessary to understand and analyse gameplay.

Upon completion of this module, students should be confidently able to design, specify and critique fun, non-trivial computer games.

Module aims

The module aims to equip students with the necessary theory and practical tools to reason about and analyse games.

Module learning outcomes

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Create a game specification document.

2. Explain gameplay elements in theoretic terms.

3. Investigate the relationship between computer games and story.

Module information

Syllabus

* The theory and philosophy of games and game design.
* Story structure for games.
* Game analysis and criticism.
* Core and contextual gameplay.

Learning and teaching methods

No information available.

Bibliography

Koster, R. (2014) A Theory of Fun for Game Design. 2nd edn. Sebastopol, USA: O’Reilly Media. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=662730.
Salen Tekinbas, K. and Zimmerman, E. (2003) Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals. London, UK: MIT Press. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=6246539.
Costikyan, G. (2013) Uncertainty in Games. London, UK: MIT Press. Available at: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=548159.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Assignment: Game Critique	13/12/2024	100%

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Katerina Bourazeri, email: a.bourazeri@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr Katerina Bourazeri

Contact details: School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: Yes

External examiner

Name: Dr MARJORY CRISTIANY Da COSTA ABREU

Institution: Sheffield Hallam University

Academic role: Senior Lecturer

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 34 hours, 34 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Module Directory

CE810-7-AU-CO:Game Design