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Module UXS-1800:
Game Studies

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Eben Muse

Overall aims and purpose

Good game design requires knowing what makes games fun. In this module you will learn core principles and theory of play and games and look at the varieties of play that can be designed in a game. Each week we will play and critially debate influential and successful games, working to understand how rules and mechanics create an immersive, fun experience. We will also consider the aesthetics of the game and the game world, the impact that narrative, character, players, visuals, plot and music all contribute to the game experience. Games are produced to entertain, and they are part of an entertainment industry and a modern gaming society. We will consider the designers role in and responsibility to that industry and society and the ethical issues it raises.

Course content

  • Principles and theory of games and of play
  • Immersion, presence, flow
  • History of video games and video game industry
  • Relationship between games, culture and society
  • Elements of games (narrative, aesthetics, dynamics, mechanics, players and audience)
  • Video game genres

Assessment Criteria

good

Good (C- to B+)

  • Strong knowledge of key areas/principles
  • Understanding of theoretical underpinnings
  • Evidence of background study
  • Limited original interpretation
  • Well known links between topics are described
  • Problems addressed by existing methods/approaches
  • Good presentation with accurate communication

excellent

Excellent (A- to A**)

  • Comprehensive knowledge
  • Detailed understanding
  • Extensive background study
  • Original interpretation
  • New links between topics are developed
  • New approach to a problem
  • Excellent presentation with very accurate communication

threshold

Threshold (D- to D+)

  • Knowledge of key areas/principles only
  • Weaknesses in understanding of main areas
  • Limited evidence of background study
  • No original interpretation
  • Only major links between topics are described
  • Limited problem solving
  • Many weaknesses in presentation and accuracy

Learning outcomes

  1. Critically analyse a game in terms of narrative, aesthetics, game play mechanics and audience

  2. Analyse and present a game not studied in class

  3. Recognize the relationship between games, culture and society

  4. Understand and apply basic game principles and theory

  5. Evaluate relation of games to modern history of video games and video game industry

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
LOGBOOK OR PORTFOLIO Journal 1 60.00
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION Poster & Presentation 40.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

1 hour lecture / seminar discussion every week

11
Laboratory

Weekly game sessions to play and analyse video gameplay and design, applying theory from lectures and seminars to published games

11
Private study

Researching weekly topics and team preparation for seminar leading

156
Workshop

2 hour weekly workshop playing and analyzing group games

22

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Resources

Resource implications for students

There are no special costs for students on this module, but students are encouraged to buy the core texts.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/uxs-1800.html

Reading list

Core texts

Fullerton, T. (2014) Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games. Boca Rotan, FL: CRC Press.

Salen, K & Zimmerman, E. (2003) Rules of Play. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Pre-requisite of:

  • UXS-1801: Game Design 1

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

  • W622: BA Film Studies with Game Design year 1 (BA/FSGD)
  • P310: BA Media Studies with Game Design year 1 (BA/MSGD)
  • W305: BA Music with Game Design year 1 (BA/MUSGD)
  • W839: BA Professional Writing with Game Design year 1 (BA/PWGD)

Optional in courses:

  • T103: BA Chinese and Creative Studies year 1 (BA/CHCS)
  • W890: BA Creative&Professional Writing year 1 (BA/CPW)
  • WPQ0: BA Creative Studies year 1 (BA/CST)
  • WPQB: BA Creative Studies (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/CST1)
  • WQ93: BA Creative Stds & English Lang. year 1 (BA/CSTEL)
  • WR91: BA French and Creative Studies year 1 (BA/CSTFR)
  • WR92: BA German and Creative Studies year 1 (BA/CSTG)
  • WR93: BA Italian and Creative Studies year 1 (BA/CSTITAL)
  • WW93: BA Creative Studies and Music year 1 (BA/CSTMUS)
  • WR94: BA Spanish & Creative Studies year 1 (BA/CSTSP)
  • W620: BA Film Studies year 1 (BA/FLM)
  • W62B: BA Film Studies (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/FLM1)
  • 2W89: BA Film Studies (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/FSIE)
  • PP53: BA Journalism and Media Studies year 1 (BA/JMS)
  • PP5B: BA Journalism & Media Studies (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 1 (BA/JMS1)
  • P306: BA Media Studies year 1 (BA/MS)
  • P31B: BA Media Studies (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/MS1)
  • P3R1: BA Media Studies with French year 1 (BA/MSFR)
  • P3R2: BA Media Studies with German year 1 (BA/MSG)
  • 8U76: BA Media Studies (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/MSIE)
  • P3R3: BA Media Studies with Italian year 1 (BA/MSIT)
  • P3R4: BA Media Studies with Spanish year 1 (BA/MSSP)
  • P3R5: BA Media Stud with Spanish (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/MSSPIE)
  • P3WL: BA Media Studies with Theatre and Performance year 1 (BA/MSTP)
  • P3WB: BA Media Stud with Theatre & Perform (4yr with Incorp Found) year 1 (BA/MSTP1)
  • W6W8: BA Professional Writing & Film year 1 (BA/PWF)
  • GW49: BSC Creative Technologies year 1 (BSC/CT)

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