Game Sys & Mechanics Design

Catalog description

This course focuses on building a solid understanding of play mechanics: the formal elements of play, the dramatic elements that make a game meaningful to its players, and the system dynamics that shape the overall experience. Lectures will use historical and current games and genres to illustrate key concepts. Topics include strategy and tactics, resource management, emergent complexity, puzzles and puzzle integration, interconnected systems, and game balance. Students will also learn the process of systems design through prototyping and playtesting based on established practices and industry trends.