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'''COSC 320.101 Game Concept and Design''' 
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{{education-course}}

= Teachers =

=== Instructors  ===

* Stuart Moulthrop

= Course Background Information =

== Location ==

The University of Baltimore, School of Information Arts and Technologies

== Classification ==

''See: [[Areas]] for classifing for your course.''

'''Primary classification: Game Design'''

== Time periods ==

Meet once a week for 11 weeks.

= Course Structure =


== Course description ==

This course introduces the critical study of computer games and the professional
practice of game design. Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the
current market for games and simulations, and of the cultural roots from which that
market has emerged. They will learn the conceptual basis of games by producing
interactive fictions, games that emphasize the design of a coherent, virtual world.
By testing one another's productions, they will learn about the continuum of design
and play. Readings in commentary and speculation frame this applied work in a
network of issues and ideas.

== Week by week topics ==


October 3
* SZ chaps. 13-14
* IBG chaps. 8-9 Reading quiz in class
* October 10
* SZ chap. 21
* IBG chaps. 10-13
* Reading quiz in class
* Final due date for I.F. Proposal

October 17
* SZ chaps. 24-25
* IBG chaps. 14-17
* Reading quiz in class

October 24 
* SZ chap. 26 
* Reading quiz in class

October 31
* Class Does Not Meet
* SZ chap. 27
* No work due

November 7
* SZ chaps. 30-32 
* Reading quiz in class

November 14
* Everything Bad is Good for You, pp. 1-15 
* Reading quiz in class

November 21
* Class Does Not Meet: Happy Thanksgiving
* Final due date for complete I.F. and walk-through

November 28
* Everything Bad is Good for You, pp. 17-62
* Reading quiz in class

December 5
* Everything Bad is Good for You, pp. 62-124; 184-199
* Reading quiz in class

December 19
* Final due date for preliminary game concept


= Course Materials & Facilities Used =

''' Books '''

* K. Salen and E. Zimmerman, [[Rules of Play]]. MIT Press, 2003.
* N. Stephenson, The Diamond Age. Bantam, 1994.
* R. Firth and S. Kesserich, [[The Inform Beginner's Guide]]. 3rd ed. Self-published, 2004.
* S. Johnson, [[Everything Bad is Good for You]]. Riverhead Books, 2005.

''' Software (engines, tools) '''

* Inform Interactive Fiction System, available free from www.inform-fiction.org.


''' Assessment materials '''

20% Research assignment

20% Proposal for I.F., completed I.F., and walk-through

20% I.F. play test report

20% Game concept documents, preliminary and final

20% Weekly quizzes (10 highest grades of 12)




= Analysis of learning methods =


== What worked ==

Please discuss what techniques worked well


== What didn't work ==

Please discuss what techniques didn’t work as well as you had hoped



[[Category:Courses]]


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