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Kursusbeskrivelse
Kursusnavn (dansk):Computerspilteori 
Kursusnavn (engelsk):Computer Game Theory 
Semester:Efterår 2005 
Udbydes under:cand.it., medieteknologi og spil (mtg) 
Omfang i ECTS:7,50 
Kursussprog:Engelsk 
Kursushjemmeside:https://learnit.itu.dk 
Min. antal deltagere:0 
Forventet antal deltagere:25 
Maks. antal deltagere:50 
Formelle forudsætninger:The course approaches games from several theoretical and critical
perspectives; however, no special theoretical background or prior training
is needed to take the course. To have had a broad practical experience with
and basic knowledge of games is a distinct advantage.

Also, an interest in theoretical and analytical issues will help. You are
expected to activiely participate in the lectures, which are dialogic in
form, with ample room for discussion.
 
Læringsmål:The Course will prepare the student to

- Understand and discuss games from a theoretical perspective - what are the
components of a game?
- Apply new theories and evaluate them critically
- Assess and discuss game concepts and the use of games in various contexts
- Analyse games, and understand and apply a range of analysis methods.
 
Fagligt indhold:Computer games are the most popular genre of digital entertainment by far.
They drive the evolution of new hardware, and form the locus where
simulation, graphical art, interface design and programming merge par
excellence.

The course contain two main perspectives:

- One theoretical, with a focus on what games are, what they can and can't
do, how they relate to other genres such as novels and movies, etc.

- One practical, with a focus on game analysis and knowledge of concrete
games and game genres.

The course is aimed at integrating theory and practice, in such a way that
the theories can aid the development of ideas and designs, and the practical
element inspire to further and better theorizing.


The main topics of the course are as follows:

Introduction ­ game culture and game definitions
Computergames as medium, games vs computer games
Game genres and game typologies
Game analysis
Games and space
Games vs stories
Games as stories ?
Games and fiction
Games, ethics og ideology
Games as art form
Games as research field  
Læringsaktiviteter:12 forelæsninger og 12 øvelsesgange

The format of the course will be lectures, presentations & discussions and exercises

NB! In the introductory week, meaning from 29 August to 2 September exercises are cancelled. This means that there will be only lectures from 9:00 - 12:00.
 

Eksamensform og -beskrivelse:X. experimental examination form (7-scale; external exam), 13-skala, Ekstern censur

 

Litteratur udover forskningsartikler:Relevant games:


Counter-strike & HalfLife, GTA3:VC, NeverWinterNights, EverQuest,
Return To Castle Wolfenstein, samt web-spil.



Theoretical curriculum (some changes might occur):


Aarseth, Espen, ?Quest Games as Post-Narrative
Discourse? in Marie-Laure Ryan (ed.) Narrative Across
Media. University of Nebraska Press (in Press).

Aarseth, Espen
?Allegories of Space: The question of Spatiality in Computer Games?

Aarseth, Espen ?Playing Research: Methodological approaches to game analysis?

Bartle, Richard (1996): "HEARTS, CLUBS, DIAMONDS,
SPADES: PLAYERS WHO SUIT MUDS.

Bringsjord, Selmer: Is It Possible to Build Dramatically Compelling Interactive Digital Entertainment?

Castronova, Edward (2002): "Virtual Worlds: A First-Hand Account of Market and Society on the Cyberian Frontier"

Eskelinen, Markku: The Gaming Situation

Falstein, Noah (1999): The Five Stages of Writing for Interactive.

Frasca, Gonzalo: ?Ephemeral games: Is it barbaric to design videogames after Auschwitz??

Frasca, Gonzalo: ?SIMULATION 101: Simulation versus Representation?

Friedman, Ted: "Making Sense of Software: Computer Games and Interactive Textuality"

Henry Jenkins on Donahue


Jenkins, Henry: Voices from the combat zone: Game Girlz Talk Back

Juul , Jesper: ?Time to Play?

Juul, Jesper (2001): ?Games Telling stories? A brief note on games and narratives?

Reynolds, Ren: ?Playing a
\"Good\" Game: A Philosophical Approach to Understanding the Morality of Games?

Smith, Harvey: ?The Future of Game Design?

Southern, Matthew: ?The
Cultural Study of Games: More Than Just Games?

Tronstad, Ragnhild (2001): "Semiotic and Non-Semiotic MUD Performance"
 
 
Afholdelse (tid og sted)
Kurset afholdes på følgende tid og sted:
UgedagTidspunktForelæsning/ØvelserStedLokale
Tirsdag 09.00-12.00 Forelæsning ITU 3A14
Tirsdag 13.00-16.00 Øvelser ITU Gamelab

Eksamen afholdes på følgende tid og sted:
EksamensdatoTidspunktEksamenstypeStedLokale
2005-11-25 inden kl. 15.00 Skriftlige arbejder ITU Eksamenskontoret
2006-01-03 se eksamenstidsplan på kursets hjemmeside Mundtlig eksamen ITU Se eksamensplan i Studiehåndbogen på intranettet
2006-01-04 do Mundtlig eksamen ITU do
2006-01-05 do Mundtlig eksamen ITU do