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GAME 3700: RAPID IDEA PROTOTYPING

SPRING 2024 SYLLABUS

○   Analyze current digital games to identify and prototype different components

●    Practical Experience

○    Implement an iterative design process resulting in a fully functional game

○   Quickly build simple, non-digital and digital prototypes using off-the-shelf tools

○    Rapidly design prototype games within the constraints of a theme and/or mechanic

○    Record and integrate feedback from play test sessions into a prototype design

○   Create gameplay documentation and elevator pitch for a unique game design

●   General Skills

○   This course also aims to build confidence in both providing and accepting critique on design work

COURSE MATERIALS

●   Texts:

○   Game Design Workshop: A playcentric approach to creating innovative Games by Tracy Fullerton. (Available through Northeastern’s library:

https://onesearch.library.northeastern.edu/permalink/f/365rt0/NEU_ALMA512831 62090001401

○   Challenges for Game Designers: Non-Digital Exercises for Video Game

Designers by Brenda Brathwaite, Ian Schreiber (Sections from this book will be provided as PDFs)

○   The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell (Available through Northeastern’s Library):

https://onesearch.library.northeastern.edu/permalink/01NEU_INST/i2gqis/alma99 52082373001401

●   Supplemental Readings:

○    Posted as PDFs on Canvas.

●   Other Materials: For this course, you may need:

○   A space to work (preferably a semi-large table)

○   Game pieces (dice, deck of cards, chips, miscellaneous game pieces)

○   An unlined sketchpad or journal to sketch out and work through ideas.

○   Office supplies (mechanical pencil with eraser, assorted pens, markers, colored pencils or colored markers, index cards (plain, assorted), Post-Its in multiple

colors, scissors or X-Acto knife

○   Access to a printer

○   Additional materials to be determined, as needed for a given project

○    Laptop computer

○   Camera / camcorder (a cell phone camera is fine)

Hardware loans from Northeastern: https://its.northeastern.edu/resources/hardware/

IN-CLASS PROTOTYPING ACTIVITIES

This course is centered on student discussions and in-class, group activities in which we quickly prototype new game ideas. These prototypes will be primarily non-digital. Prototyping materials may be supplied for the in-class exercises, or you may be asked to bring your own. You will need your own materials for homework assignments. You are encouraged to build your own prototyping kits over the course of the semester.

HOMEWORK

There are two kinds of homework assignments for this class:

● Reflection assignments, in which you will be asked to submit a written reflection upon a topic we have read about and discussed in class, and

● Prototyping assignments, in which you will be asked to create a design sketch and/or prototype for use and discussion during class.

Unless otherwise noted, reflection assignments should be turned in on Canvas at 11:59pm the day they are due. Reflection assignments that are turned in late will incur a 50% penalty and are not accepted after the class discussion on the topic has taken place. (See professor for extreme circumstances).

Unless otherwise noted, prototyping assignments must be brought to class on the day that they are due. Prototyping assignments may not be turned in late.

SEMESTER-LONG PROTOTYPING PROJECT

There will be a semester-long project where students will develop a game based on a novel game mechanic. Students are expected to work individually but may work in groups of 2 or 3 if they can demonstrate that the project requires it. However, the ideation phase of the project must be done individually. There are four checkpoints spread evenly across the semester, where you will play each other’s prototypes and provide design feedback. Students will keep track of their game’s development using a game design log that will be submitted at each checkpoint. Each stage of the prototyping process should build on the last, iterating on the game design by incorporating player feedback—changes to the game and player feedback should be recorded in the game design log. An in-class game testing day is associated with each checkpoint due date— but students should ideally be testing their game after each change is made.

EVALUATION / GRADING:

The following weights will be applied to each category of work in the course when determining the final grade. However, a zero average in any one of these categories will result in earning a failing grade for the entire course.

The course grading scale is one where 90-100 is in the A-/A range, 80-89 is the B-/B/B+ range, 70-79 is in the C-/C/C+ range, etc. You should not expect a curve to be applied.

LATE WORK

Late responses to reading assignments are not accepted. The purpose of these assignments is to help facilitate the in-class discussion, completing them after the discussion is both easier and not helpful to the class discussion. All other deliverables will receive a 10% deduction for every day late. In the case of circumstances such as illness, family emergency, etc. that would impact on-time submission, please contact me, ideally ahead of the deadline.

ZOOM ETIQUETTE

This is an in-person class, however, in the case that zoom meetings occur (which may be the case for office hours), please:

● Have your video on so that the instructors and other students know you are present. This is important for connecting with your peers and the professor. If you have technology limitations preventing video conferencing, please let me know so we can find a solution.

● Keep your microphone muted unless you are speaking. This is to reduce background noise.

COLLABORATION POLICY

We often learn best through collaboration with others. Students are strongly encouraged to collaborate through discussing strategies for completing assignments, talking about the readings before class, and studying for the midterm. However, all work that you turn in to me with your name on it must be in your own words and produced entirely by you. Directly copied text, code, or art from any other source is not allowed without citation. If you have collaborated on ideas leading up to the final solution, give each other credit on what you turn in, clearly labeling who contributed what ideas. Individuals should be able to explain every aspect of any group-produced work.

Not understanding what plagiarism or cheating is does not constitute an excuse for committing it. You should re-familiarize yourself with the University’s policies on academic dishonesty at the beginning of the semester, especially if you came to Northeastern University from a different institution that may have different rules. If you have any doubts whatsoever about whether you are breaking the rules – ask before acting!

To reiterate: plagiarism and cheating are strictly forbidden. No excuses, no exceptions. All incidents of plagiarism and cheating will be sent to OSCCR for disciplinary review.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Students who have documented disabilities of any kind should contact the instructor privately to discuss any specific needs and to agree upon reasonable accommodations. Please see the campus Disability Resource Center for information on the kinds of accommodations available through the University.

CONTACT INFORMATION AND POLICIES

You can contact me via email at [email protected]. I will generally be able to respond to emails within 24 hours, but I will respond faster to emails sent during working hours (9am to 5pm) on weekdays. Emails sent after 5pm on weekdays may not be responded to until the following morning and emails received on Saturday or Sunday will most likely not be responded to until the following Monday.

Office hours will be held on campus or over Zoom and can be scheduled via email.

OFF CAMPUS WORK

For some assignments, students may choose to work off campus in a public space. If you choose to do this, please follow the current health guidelines.