Course Game Design – Modding and Prototyping Faculty Name Mr. Ken Macek
Term 2015-2016
Meetings IHS Library Gaming Room (semester course – two 42 minute periods combined with online instruction)
Faculty’s Contact Information
Phone 724-452-6041 ext. 1026 Email Address [email protected]
Other Information Seneca Valley Senior High School Cyber Teacher Center
(across from the SHS Library on the 2nd floor) General Course Information
Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, & other restrictions
PREREQUISITE(S): Evolution of Games
COREQUISITE(S): Two traditional teaching periods – Blended Learning Environment
Course Description from Program of Studies
“Gaming” doesn’t only mean video games. Gamers also play board games, card games, simulations, and participate in interactive stories. This course breaks down the design process step by step. Students will learn the fundamentals through hands-on modding, prototyping, and iteration of a variety of games. Their final project includes building, playtesting, and revising an original game that can be played with friends and added to the student’s game portfolio. This interactive gaming course will model a blended learning environment, combining traditional classroom instruction and interactions with online learning. Traditional classroom instruction will occur two days per week with the remaining days per week incorporating cyber instruction.
Standards/Anchors/Objectives PA Common Core and 21st Century Standards
Required Texts & Materials Online content provided through the Zulama.com LCMS Suggested Texts, Readings, &
Materials
None
Assignments & Academic Calendar
[Topics, Assignments, Estimated Timeframe, Exam Dates] APPROXIMATE
DURATION
TOPICS THAT WILL BE COVERED (1 week) I. Module 1: Define a Game
A. Identify elements found in all games B. Compare and contrast game genres
C. Recognize game design career opportunities D. Modify an element of a well-known game
E. Playtest the modified game (1 week) II. Module 2: The Process of Game Design
A. Modify (Mod) a second game
B. Identify and apply the elements of brainstorming C. Compare and contrast the Game Production Process D. Recognize the process and importance of prototyping
E. Analyze how the desire to win becomes an element of game design (1 week) III. Module 3: Being a Game Designer
A. Determine the essential skills required of a game designer B. Identify the roles played by a game designer
C. Recognize the purpose of game design documentation D. Identify the elements found in game design documents E. Breakdown the sequence of steps for game design F. Complete a game re-design
(2 weeks) IV. Module 4: Game Designer's Tools
A. Compare and contrast games and simulations
B. Recognize the application of selected reality in game design C. Explain the elements of the Interest Curve
D. Analyze how objective reality applies to game design
E. Explore the psychology of Game-Play by listing ten reasons why people play games
F. Identify reward cycles and explain how flow is achieved in game design
(1 week) V. Module 5: Game Complexities
A. Identify the attributes of skill in game design B. Explain how skill affects the audience C. Recognize where skill and chance merge D. Calculate probability
E. Determine expected value
F. Compare and contest methods of game balance (1 week) VI. Module 6: Games and Story
A. Determine the role of "story" in game design B. Identify the elements of story
C. Identify the story sequence in a Hero's Journey
D. Compare and contrast characters in gameplay, in film, and in novels E. Explain and classify various character types
(2 weeks) VII.Module 7: Game Worlds
A. Recognize transmedia worlds
B. Identify where games have been created within the transmedia world
C. Explain the connection between the gaming revolution and transmedia worlds
D. Identify three current transmedia worlds
E. Define "fan fiction" and explain how it’s created (1 week) VIII. Module 8: Special Types of Games
A. Compare and contrast puzzles and games B. Analyze the components of puzzle games
C. Identify the elements of Role Playing Games (RPGs) D. Analyze the core rules of RPGs
E. Develop the core rules for an RPG project (2 weeks) IX. Module 9: The Player's Mind
A. List commonalities found among board games
B. Compare and contrast Western RPGs and Japanese RPGs C. Playtest the RPG design
D. Identify and state commonalities found throughout video games E. Recognize four effective techniques for generating emotion in the
player's mind
F. Complete the RPG project
(2 weeks) X. Module 10: Design Your First Original Game
A. Determine how to combine gameplay, story, character, and mechanics into an original game idea
B. Define words commonly used to describe game mechanics C. Present a game idea
D. Manage feedback with a positive and welcoming attitude (constructive criticism)
(2 weeks) XI. Module 11: Multiplayer Games
A. Identify the social attributes of game-playing B. Explain five social challenges of game design
C. Compare and contrast MMOs (massively multiplayer online) with single player games
D. Explain the role of the Avatar in MMO communities E. Describe seven design features that support the emotional connection of MMO communities
F. Sequence the evolution of revenue streams from MMOs G. Determine a potential revenue stream from a designed game (2 weeks) XII.Module 12: Delivering Your Original Game
A. Analyze the "fun" aspects of your game B. Playtest and evaluate the prototype C. Document and outline the playtest results D. Complete a final iteration of the prototype E. Deconstruct the design process
F. Present the prototype to the class
Exam Date(s), Time(s) Will be announced by the Instructor
Course Procedures Grading (credit) Criteria
All students will be graded on labs, projects, discussion boards, activities, tests and quizzes given through out the grading period. The Seneca Valley School District grading policy will be used with all grading and evaluation. Course
Expectations
After completion of this class the students will have a general understanding of the course content, and be able to possibly choose a future career path. Late Work
Make-up Exams Incomplete Grades
When students are legally absent from classes, it is his/her responsibility to arrange with his/her teachers to make up work missed in each class. The amount of time given to make up this work depends on the amount of time that the student was absent and the circumstances surrounding the absence. For instance, if the student is legally absent for two school days, the student shall receive two school days to make up the work, if necessary. If this work is not completed within the given time period, a student may receive an “incomplete” grade. At the end of the grading period, or at the interim report, the “incomplete” grade is changed to a failing grade for work that has not been completed. Students will not receive credit for any class work that takes place during unexcused class absences. Students are required to make up any missed assignments. If a student is missing due to a pre approved vacation/field trip they must follow district policy.
Special Assignments
None Class
Attendance
As per Seneca Valley School District Policy #204, a student shall not be granted credit for any semester course if absences from that course total more than ten (10) periods per semester or for any full year courses that total more than twenty (20) periods for the year. Class period absences may include but not be limited to illness, truancy, vacations, parent sponsored educational experiences, college visitations, service related tests or physicals, and doctor appointments.
In addition, student(s) will not receive credit towards graduation for any class(es)from which the student(s) is illegally absent (confirmed truancy or class cut) more than three times during a semester class or more than 6 times during a full year course. The lack of sufficient credits in any particular school year could result in a student being denied promotion to the next grade level/building and/or graduation. If a student loses credit, he/she will remain in the class and the grade earned will impact the students GPA.
Field Trip Policies Off-Campus Instruction & Course Activities
The Seneca Valley School District recognizes the value and encourages the opportunities for students to participate in pre-planned trips and educational experiences during the regular school year. Pre-approval forms are available from the building principal, to be completed by the school-approved adult supervisor of the trip.
If a proposed trip has been approved by the principal, written permission from a parent or guardian must be obtained. This permission must indicate understanding of the date, time, cost (if applicable), method of travel, and purpose of this trip. Pupil participants are subject to the supervision of the school-approved adults, who may require a dress code for the occasion. At all times the school code of conduct will be enforced.
Each month throughout the school year a list of those students who have been absent or tardy 15% of the days is generated. The principal or designee will determine individual student participation on the basis of prior attendance records, previous requests, frequency of such requests, academic progress to date, and the educational value of the requested experience.
Technical Support
If you experience any problems with your SV account, let your instructor know so that they can contact the proper individual(s).
Student Conduct, Discipline, and Behavior Management
Netiquette: Netiquette is a set of guidelines that govern good manners on the internet. All rules and procedures for appropriate conduct in school
cyber/classroom areas will at all times be followed. Disregard for rules and procedures may result in removal from class with a failing grade and loss of credit.
Respect: All students are expected to respect their classmates, teacher, and classroom rules/ regulations. (Use of profanity will not be tolerated) This is an applications class where we will work in various groups, both in class and online, to solve open ended problems - respect for other peoples idea’s and talents will be a necessity for successful completion of course work.
Attendance: Seneca Valley school district policy on attendance shall be followed. Students who are late to class will be verbally warned. Once a student has accumulated 3 unexcused tardies, a loss in that day’s lab participation grade will be deducted. (5pts)
Participation: Due to the nature of this course and the hands-on activities the student is responsible to do and turn in all work on time and make up any activities that are missed because of an absence. (Class participation is worth 10 points a week, that’s 5 points a day for working on projects and doing assigned tasks at the end of each period).
Tests/ Quizzes and Assignments: All tests and quizzes will be announced in advance and the student will be graded in accordance with district policy. All assignments are to be completed, and submitted on the date they are due. Academic
Dishonesty
Plagiarism is defined as taking or imitating the ideas, thoughts or language of another to represent them as one’s original work. It is imperative that all work submitted by a student be representative of his/her own ideas, thoughts and especially language capability. Therefore, plagiarism is strictly prohibited in all work pertaining to school. A grade of “F” or zero will be awarded for any submitted work which is found to be the work of another (student, author, encyclopedia, internet, etc.) and subsequent offenses will be dealt with accordingly.
If the ideas, thoughts or language from another source must be used in the work being done, it is the student’s responsibility to footnote or annotate the information appropriately. Plagiarism software will be used in various classes.
Technology Usage
There are computer labs in the building for student use. Students whose teachers use the lab in their curriculum use courseware specifically designed for that curriculum during scheduled class times. Students are also permitted to use the labs for class or research during study halls as space is available. In addition, there are computers in the library for research purposes plus a workstation in every classroom for teacher and/or student use. The labs are monitored at all times.
All enrolled students have an account on the networked system for file storage and software access. All student accounts are password protected. These passwords are to be kept confidential to protect unauthorized use. The labs are a privilege provided for the students to enhance the academic curriculum. Games that are not specifically used in the curriculum are not allowed on the system. Individual files are not considered to be personal property. These files may be accessed at any time by teachers, administrators or the system manager. Students are not permitted access to other students’ files. Tampering with files, copying of copyrighted software, downloading or installing games, password tampering, accessing unauthorized directories or removing equipment or software will be considered theft. Tampering with any hardware or equipment or violating policies and/or guidelines governing the use of networks, Internet or software programs are also considered offenses and will be dealt with Per
Seneca Valley policy #218. Violators may also be prosecuted under applicable local, state or federal civil or criminal law. Students must show their ID card to gain access to the computer lab.
Email Use Always try to email me through the Zulama Messaging system first. If you cannot utilize Zulama Messaging, you can email me at [email protected]. Prepared by
and Date prepared
Mr. Ken Macek 01/18/2015 Contact Information
SHS Cyber Teachers Center 724.452.6040 ext. 1026 [email protected]
