Course detail

Game Design - Digital Games

FaVU-1HERDESAcad. year: 2024/2025

The course focuses on the basic methods of designing and then rapid prototyping digital games. The core of the approach to prototyping here is iterative development, which is applied to arbitrary situations the project goes through during the semester. The initial state focuses on the preparation of the design document and the role of project documentation over time. The final state presents a playable prototype in a version that is implemented during the course at the individual or team development level.

The course allows for situations where the goal is to apply game mechanics and principles to projects that do not purely function as stand-alone games or toys. These may be authoring projects already in progress that work with digital environments. The course can be taken alone or in a team.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

Keen interest in digital games. No previous experience with digital games development is required.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Credit is awarded based on attendance (max. 3 unexcused absences) and submission of partial semester assignments.  

Aims

The aim of the course is to gain experience in developing and completing a playable prototype of a digital game of any typology and form. Where appropriate, apply game mechanics and principles to an individual project type.

 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Jesper Jull, The Art of Failure: An Essay on the Pain of Playing Video Games, The MIT Press, 2013 (2. vyd. 2016). (CS) (EN)
Jesse Schnell, The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, CRC Press, 2008 (2. vyd. 2014). (CS) (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme DES_B Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 1 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Practical class

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

The following topics will be discussed during the semester (with varying time allotments depending on the complexity of the topic).

Solo development vs team - strategy, planning and game development

Design document + MDA model - preparation of project documentation, introduction to the MDA model

Rapid prototyping + tools - development and implementation of digital prototype, introduction to tools

Focus test alpha version - targeted testing of game mechanics

Play test - collective testing of final prototypes