Official course description, subject to change:

Basic info last published 15/03-24
Course info
Language:
English
ECTS points:
15
Course code:
KGMAGAM1KU
Participants max:
60
Offered to guest students:
yes
Offered to exchange students:
yes
Offered as a single subject:
yes
Price for EU/EEA citizens (Single Subject):
21250 DKK
Programme
Level:
MSc. Master
Programme:
MSc in Games
Staff
Course manager
Martin Pichlmair
Associate Professor
Teacher
Hanna Elina Wirman
Associate Professor, Head of study programme
Teacher
Regö Porkolab
Part-time Lecturer
Course semester
Semester
Efterår 2024
Start
26 August 2024
End
24 January 2025
Exam
Abstract
This course teaches the design and development of video games from prototyping to effective teamwork across disciplinary boundaries. It also covers the most important technical and theoretical foundations of game development.
Description

Video game development is a design-driven process. This course teaches the technical, theoretical, and practical basis of game development. At the same time this course is an exercise in interdisciplinary teamwork that prepares students for working in diverse teams.

Students will learn how to create video games alone and in groups. They will be able to apply established industry methods in the areas design, production, project management, and programming.

In this course students will first learn to explore the design space of games by making a number of focused prototypes. Students will learn the basics of prototyping in theory and practice, the basics of game design, game programming and interaction design, and essential user experience and evaluation techniques. The production process of the game they will create is based on established industry practices.

Students will additionally learn to identify what makes their game unique, what is its technical and design essence, and how to best communicate it. They will learn the basics of marketing and the games business.

Formal prerequisites
This is an introductory course without mandatory requirements. However, students will benefit from a certain familiarity with game development technologies and practices. Openness to group work and readiness to take responsibility in a production role is required too.
Intended learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

  • Conceptualize, prototype, design, develop, and test a digital game individually and in teams.
  • Reflect on and act in their role as a team member of a joint game production.
  • Reflect on the relation between design and technical implementation in innovation-driven projects.
  • Apply different play testing and usability methods.
  • Structure an innovation-driven development process using industry-relevant project management methods.
  • Practice different concept development, sketching, prototyping, and game design methods.
  • Evaluate established technologies, methods, and processes for their usefulness in their games project.
  • Perform basic programming, art, and/or design activities, applied to computer game development.
Ordinary exam
Exam type:
C: Submission of written work, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
C1G: Submission of written work for groups