Preview

Game Studies: Theory and Design

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
563 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Game Studies: Theory and Design
IAT 210 – Week 1
Summer 2014

From Plato
If you would read a man’s Disposition, see him Game:
You will then learn more of him in one hour, than in seven Years
Conversation,

and little Wagers will try him as soon as great Stakes, for then he is off his
Guard.

A Bit About Me…


In digital media since ’95



Started companies in NYC, YYZ and
YVR



Worked in mobile, online, televised, social media, casual and console games.
Everything from the N-Gage to MMA.

A Bit About Me…


Started the VFS game design program



Visiting prof in grad program at CDM



Taught at SIAT in 2006 and 2007

A Bit About Me…


I’m teaching this class because I get curious about the state of games & play



Not really an academic, so my approach might be a little bit different



TAs will keep us all in-line when it comes to SFU methodology & requirements A Bit About You…


Mainly second or third year students



WIDE range of disciplines



Even WIDER range of languages

A Bit About You…


Mainly PC users



Not especially technical, which is fine



Not many gamers, but plenty of smartphone users

A Bit About You…


Interesting blend of casual and hard-core



Broad preference of game genres: board, shooters, strategy, puzzles, arcade, etc



A lot of time wasters : only one gambler A Bit About You…


Want to learn how to make games (31%)



The future of games (19%)



Games and popular culture (17%)



The business of games (15%)

A Bit About Us…
Course topics will include:

cultural fit

traditional games

digital games

storytelling

technology

business

alternatives

A Bit About Us…
Course activities will include:

readings, old and new

in-class exercises

submitted analysis

comparative media

game-based assignments

A Bit About Us…
Course outcomes will include:

thinking critically about games

provide analysis of game designs

understand the user experience

exposure to a range of games

seeing the cultural fit

forecasting
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis: Game Studios
    • 172 Words
    • 1 Page

    Rhetorical Analysis: Game Studios

    Kurt Squire, a writer for “Game Studios”, in his article “Cultural Framing of Computer/Video Games”(2002) explores the role of video game in society that proposes that video games are the next generation of media with a variety of uses. He focuses on the history of games-media and compares the platform to other media such as film and television, in order to counter arguments critical of games, then he explores the beneficial implementation of games for learning purposes by providing evidence supporting games as learning tools. Squire develops this evidence in order to persuade the audience to favor video and computer games as a “next-generation” social tool. Squire seems to intend his audience to be either business or media leaders by presenting…

    • 172 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pan Am Games Research Paper
    • 332 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Pan Am Games Research Paper

    Pan Am games is one of the largest games in the world and rank as the third largest competition. The games are a conglomeration of the American countries surpass by the Olympic Summer Games and the Asian games in both the size and scope. The history of Pan American Games dates back to the 1932 Olympics which was held in Los Angel where it was suggested by the official representative of the renown International Olympic Committee come to a decision of starting a competition which was to include only those countries in America and this led to Pan Am games. History records that the first Pan Am games was hosted in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1951. The Pan Am Games are periodically held; after every four years you enjoy the Pan Am games. To avoid…

    • 332 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sociology Study on Kids Toys
    • 1338 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Sociology Study on Kids Toys

    developed in modern times to adapt with the ever changing mega industries of child entertainment. From Hasbro board games, to Matell’s diverse Barbie doll collections, and all the way into the virtual interactive video games of Nintendo, society has been latched to the ideas, assumptions, and norms of what boys and girls should engage interest for entertainment as they grow.…

    • 1338 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Gamemakers: Games First!
    • 1443 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Gamemakers: Games First!

    As we read the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, we might have the impression that like in real life, the power structures in the dystopian society of Panem are biased to certain sectors over others. The privileges and prerogatives allowed to some of the Districts might lead us to think that the Gamemakers try to favor some tributes. The training for the Games, the design of the arena where the Games take place, or just the disparity of the economic conditions among the Districts are just some of the elements that aim to some favoritism for certain Districts and their tributes. For example, the tributes from Districts 1,2, and 4 look like the the favorites of Capitol.These are the wealthiest Districts, and the ones that receive a lot of perks from the Capitol. On the other side, others Districts like District 11 or District 12, seem that lack the favor of the Gamemakers. But, is this really true? Are those the real intentions of the Gamemakers ? Not at all. For the Gamemakers, the priority is to make a show with a lot of action, and at the same time, as bloody as possible. In order to achieve their goal, the Gamemakers creates all the necessary conditions to make the fightings and the killings the center of the Games. They will favor any tribute if that action leads to a direct confrontation between the contestants, and therefore more action and blood to the arena. This two elements, action and blood, seem like the winning formula for the Gamemakers. On one side, it keeps the Capitol viewers completely entranced, for whom the tributes are just disposable parts of…

    • 1443 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Strategy as a Wicked Problem
    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Strategy as a Wicked Problem

    PPG first became aware of strategy’s wickedness in the late 1980s. Two missteps taught the company that diversification, be it into other industries or countries, is fraught with peril:…

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Strategy Discussion
    • 1120 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Strategy Discussion

    This section of our Project Charter includes all the documents that we have completed as part of our analysis of the systems that the ICC Board of Directors has asked us to investigate. This strategy discussion summarizes the main points from the detailed documents that follow.…

    • 1120 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Game Theory
    • 14801 Words
    • 60 Pages

    Game Theory

    We thank Yueran Ma for outstanding research assistance and Josh Coval, Jared Dourdeville, Sam Hanson, Owen Lamont, Stefan Nagel, Joshua Schwartzstein, Adi Sunderam, Annette Vissing-Jorgensen, Jessica Wachter, Fan Zhang and seminar participants at UC Berkeley and the NBER for helpful suggestions. We are grateful to the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan for providing access to their data. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research. NBER working papers are circulated for discussion and comment purposes. They have not been peerreviewed or been subject to the review by the NBER Board of Directors that accompanies official NBER publications. © 2013 by Robin Greenwood and Andrei Shleifer. All rights reserved. Short sections of text, not to exceed two paragraphs, may be quoted without explicit permission provided that full credit, including © notice, is given to the source.…

    • 14801 Words
    • 60 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Game Theories
    • 420 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Game Theories

    In “Game theories”, Clive Thomson contrasts the differences and similarities between the real world and that of the gaming world, through his depiction and analysis of the economics in both environments. To further drive Thomson’s insight, As a group we discussed two main points that are integral in understanding his perspective on the matter. One, the idea of an “economical pure model,” a scenario that is present in the gaming world as all individuals are born equal. Two, corruption- the idea that venality exists, and can exist the same way in the gaming world. The existence of both of these topics solidifies Thomson’s claims and can be explored through various examples and scenarios.…

    • 420 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    A Conceptual Game Design Document
    • 3790 Words
    • 16 Pages

    A Conceptual Game Design Document

    Overview Charged! is a racing game pitting a single human-controlled car against the AI. Each car will be miniature, akin to remote-controlled (RC) cars. The first car to navigate the obstacles of the world and complete the required number of laps wins! Charged! will be developed for the PC platform. The details in this document are a brief overview of what the game will be capable of delivering. Certain aspects may change depending on creative feel and aesthetic appearance, but largely the core of the game will follow the outline specified by this document. Game Concept Charged! is a single-player racing game, placing the human-controlled vehicle against AI-controlled vehicles of predetermined intelligence. Each car will resemble an RC car in terms of sound, appearance, size, and feel. Cars will race around an environment similar to those of real RC cars; a house. The player must avoid obstacles, look for shortcuts, perform jumps, and outdrive the AI to succeed in this game. In addition to simple racing mechanics, laying on the track in convenient places will be batteries. A car can drive over a battery in order to increase their battery meter. This mechanic allows the player to gain speed bursts in order to push past competition or fly down a straightaway. In some cases, boosts will be required to perform certain beneficial tactics, such as shortcuts. Game Goals • • • • • • • A quick, quirky racing engine that accurately depicts the physics and feel of an RC car. Level design which makes the player truly feel miniature compared to their surroundings. Easy to pick up, but hard to master gameplay mechanic of controlling the battery meter effectively. Some form of interactivity with the levels, including knocking over a few select household items upon collision. Level shortcuts which reward the player for smart use of their battery meter. AI that does not feel unfair, but provides a suitable and…

    • 3790 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Game Theory
    • 2190 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The Game Theory

    In this essay, I am going to write about international cases in which you can apply the different examples of the game theory. First of all I will explain what the game theory is and give a few demonstrations of it. Second of all, I will explain the specific case in which I decided to exemplify the game theory. Finally, I will explain or vindicate how the theory is applied to a specific case of international importance. In the next paragraph, I will explain what game theory is and give a few examples of it.…

    • 2190 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Gaming The Gamers Case Study
    • 1561 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Gaming The Gamers Case Study

    Although playing video games is especially popular among young men, a substantial number of retirees (12% of all gamers) and women (50%) play video games as well.…

    • 1561 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Video Games
    • 3538 Words
    • 15 Pages

    Video Games

    The history of video games development is a long and intricate story. Up to now, games industry has been climbing to its peak and becoming one of the biggest commercial field. Besides, video games are becoming common entertainment. Therefore, video games importance in economy and lives is undeniable. Nonetheless, the answers for the controversies whether video games impose consummate or dreadful impact on people, especially children, have not shown up yet for a long time. However, playing video games is a two-sided affair. No one can tell if it is good or bad. If played at an appropriate time and in an acceptable period, video games are such beneficial tools. Otherwise, they can become the sharpest knife shorting your time and limiting many abilities.…

    • 3538 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Note on Game Theory
    • 22821 Words
    • 92 Pages

    Note on Game Theory

    1.1 (i) Ideally, we could randomly assign students to classes of different sizes. That is, each student is assigned a different class size without regard to any student characteristics such as ability and family background. For reasons we will see in Chapter 2, we would like substantial variation in class sizes (subject, of course, to ethical considerations and resource constraints).…

    • 22821 Words
    • 92 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Notes on Introduction to Game Theory
    • 1694 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Notes on Introduction to Game Theory

    All of you are now enrolled in ECON 206 that will be graded on a…

    • 1694 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Background: Play and Online Game Players
    • 340 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Background: Play and Online Game Players

    play online game for the students is not a stranger in this day and age. not only students junior high or high school but kids kindergarte were often encountered are playing online games. Internet cafe business grows especially in Bengkulu last few years. have an impact on rising rates of online game players among students. Of this problem there are the effect either positive or negative. I try to discuss how the negative effects of online games for students?…

    • 340 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics