International Game Developers Association

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY MASTER COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE TITLE:

Concept Design and Scripting for Games

COURSE NUMBER:

GAM230

CREDIT/CONTACT HOURS:

50 Contact hours 4 Credit hours

COURSE LENGTH:

11 Weeks

UNIT OF ACADEMIC MEASUREMENT:

Quarter system

PREREQUISITES:

GAM101 Introduction to Game Design

CO-REQUISITES:

None

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course focuses on the design and development of concepts, plots, characters, levels, and documentation for

computer games. Creative and technical writing processes will be examined and refined during the construction of

narratives, character profiles, storyboards, help files, and specification sheets. Students will analyze various

game structures, genres, styles, and trends, and will discuss legal and ethical concerns related to the design of

games.

TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S)

Beginning Illustration & Storyboarding for Games Les Pardew Thomson Course Technology 1-59200-495-4

Game Writing Narrative Skills for Videogames Chris Bateman Charles River Media 1-58450-490-0

RESOURCES & SUPPLIES

Drawing/Art kit

Use of Supplies from GAM 110 Kit

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to do the following:

• Research various genres, styles, and trends in the game design industry.

• Design and develop stories, concepts, levels, and worlds that provide believable and entertaining contexts for

computer games.

• Examine and hone storytelling, concept development, and storyboarding processes during classroom presentations and

critiques.

• Refine writing skills through the development of narratives, specification sheets, help files, and other

documentation for computer games.

• Devise detailed histories and personality characteristics for game characters.

• Observe and act out physical movements, poses, and facial expressions to improve the realism of game characters.

• Examine legal and ethical concerns in game design, such as copyright infringement, commercial licensure and

ownership, contractual obligations, marketing tactics, artistic license, and ratings for age-appropriate content.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

Teacher-directed instruction, group work, homework assignments, in-class assignments, journals and term papers

GRADING:

ASSIGNMENT VALUES:

The International Academy's grading scale is as follows:

• A ....... 100-95
• A- ....... 94-90
• B+ ...... 89-87
• B ........ 86-84
• B- ....... 83-80
• C+ ...... 79-77
• C ........ 76-74
• C- ....... 73-70
• D+ ...... 69-67
• D ........ 66-60
• F ........ 59 and below

Assignments Weight:

Projects will be graded on:

Concept — How well thought out is your idea?

Execution — How well did you follow through and implement your idea? Was your idea enhanced or diminished by your

execution?

Craftsmanship — How well did you put the final presentation together?

8 Illustration Projects 50 pts. Each

5 Writing Projects 50 pts. Each

10 Weekly Exercises 25 pts. Each

1 Quiz 50 pts. Each

Total 950 pts.

LIBRARY ASSIGNMENTS:

Students will access both the IADT Detroit library resources as well as the Cybrary for materials to support their

classroom learning.

COURSE POLICIES:

• Students are responsible for arranging with a classmate to obtain missed notes, materials, and/or assignments.

• All papers and assignments will be typed in double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, have 1-inch margins, and be

stapled in the upper left-hand corner.

• The upper right-hand corner header will contain your name, Course Name— Teacher Name, and the name of the

assignment. Pages shall be numbered in the footer.

• Students are expected to meet every deadline presented within the course.

• They are also expected to involve themselves fully in class discussions and help generate a healthy group dynamic.

INTEGRITY OF STUDENT WORK:

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that will not be tolerated and may result in failure for an individual

project, failure for the course, and dismissal from the college. See your Student Handbook for further

information.

ATTENDANCE:

• Class activities and discussions are an integral part of the learning process. Therefore, students are expected to

attend each class.

• All absences must be preceded by communication to the instructor.

• Attendance is taken at every class session and becomes a part of the student’s permanent record. Excused absences

may be accepted for extenuating circumstances including death in family, personal illness (student should call in at

least 30 minutes prior to the start of class), school-related job interview or externship interview, military

obligations, or jury duty. More than six absences in any given course may result in automatic withdrawal from the

course(s) in which the absence occurs. This withdrawal will be recorded as an F on your academic transcript.

Attendance is essential for class participation. The effect of class participation varies from instructor to

instructor and is explained in the syllabus handed out at the beginning of each course. Students who will be absent

for a valid reason should notify the instructor in advance. If a class project is due during that period of

absence, the student should clear the absence with the instructor in advance and make the necessary arrangements to

submit work missed.

MAKE-UP WORK:

Make-up and late work will be allowed only if the student has made arrangements with the instructor. See instructor

for special conditions.

TOPICAL OUTLINE:

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT .................. APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE OF CLASS TIME ALLOCATED TO EACH TOPIC

Introduction to creative writing..............................................................................20%

Character Development.......................................................................................20%

Creative Storytelling............................................................................................20%

Game design documentation...............................................................................20%

Storytelling in level based design, puzzle solving, effective communication...............20%

Total.................................................................................................................100%

CLASS MEETING OUTLINE:

WEEK 1:

Reading: Game Writing: Ch 1 Intro to Game Narrative & Ch 10 The Needs of the Audience In-Class: Sketching & Perspective Illustration Project: 1) 20 Thumbnails of a Character that includes an Animal 2) 20 Thumbnails of a Character that

includes a mechanical part. Due Week 2. Writing Assignment: Create an idea for a game that’s based on a fable, myth, or legend (traditional or urban). What

is the universal theme being conveyed by the story you created? Why would your idea create a compelling game? Min: 2

pgs. Due Week 2.

WEEK 2:

Reading: Game Writing: Ch 2 Basics of Narrative In-Class: Thumbnails, Perspective & Composition Illustration Project: Create a level layout for a racing game. Make the course interesting by adding several jumps

and other terrain features. Due Week 4. Writing Assignment: Play and analyze a game for 2-4 hours. Rate the game on a scale from 1 to 10 – with 10 being

perfect. Include the following in your analysis: title, development, studio, publisher, genre, player mode, intended

audience, rating, story structure, and character development. Does the story have dramatic impact? Do you as a

player have any perceived control over the storyline? How do the story elements add or detract from the game’s “fun

factor”? What suggestions would you make for improvement? Min. 2 pgs. Due Week 4.

WEEK 3:

CLASS MUST ATTEND CONFERENCE

WEEK 4:

Reading: Game Writing: Ch 3 Writing for Games In-Class: Shading, Composition Illustration Project: Create a level layout for a side-view platform game. Make the level fun by adding several

unique game elements for the player to navigate. Due Week 5.

WEEK 5:

Reading: Game Writing: Ch 4 Nonlinear Game Narrative In-Class: Figure drawing Illustration Project: Create an environment illustration of an interior of an aircraft hanger. Give enough detail so

the development team could model it. Due Week 7. Writing Assignment: How do game storytelling devices help create immersion in the game experience? Were you truly

immersed in the last game you played? Discuss at least 3 techniques the developers used to keep you immersed in the

game. Min. 2 pgs. Due Week 6.

WEEK 6:

Reading: Game Writing: Ch 6 Game Characters In-Class: Head drawing Writing Assignment: How do the visual features of a game character reflect the character’s personality? Discuss how

you would utilize profile, facial expressions, gestures, poses, nervous ticks, costume, color schme, skin/hair/eye

color, hair style/length, character movement, and even associated objects and accessories to reflect the personality

of one of the original characters you create. Min 3 pgs. Due Week 8.

WEEK 7:

Reading: Game Writing: Ch 7 Cut Scenes and Scripted Events In-Class: Vehicle Drawing Illustration Project: Pick one of the following three options: 1) Create a simple character illustration of a young

child for a kids’ sports game. Make the child athletic yet cute. 2) Create a simple character illustration of a

character for a military game. The character should look strong and carry some kind of menacing weapon. 3) Create a

simple character illustration of a character for a skateboarding game. The character should have a modern look and

fit in an urban environment. Due Week 8.

WEEK 8:

Reading: Game Writing: Ch 8 Writing Comedy for Videogames In-Class: Environment drawing Illustration Project: Take your project from Week 6 and refine and draw a complete model sheet. Due Week 9.

WEEK 9:

Quiz Reading: Chapter 11 & 12 In-Class: Character illustration Writing Assignment: Create descriptions (or backstories) of three characters in your game. Include each of the

following elements: Name, history, physical characteristics, personality characteristics, relevance to a game’s

storyline, and relationship to other characters in the game. Make at least one character a player and one character

a non-player character. Illustration Project: Create an environment illustration for the choice from Week 6. Due Week 10.

WEEK 10:

Reading: Chapter 13 & 14 In-Class: Character interaction with environment and vehicle. Illustration Project: Create a 5 frame storyboard sequence with the character and environment that was originally

from Week 6. Due Week 11.

WEEK 11:

In-Class: Professional Presentation of Writing & Illustration projects

• subject to change