| Course Type | Elective Course |
|---|
| Course Level | Bachelor's Degree |
|---|
| Year of Study | - |
|---|
| Semester | - |
|---|
| ECTS | 5 |
|---|
| Name of Lecturer(s) |
|
| Learning Outcomes |
At the end of this course, the students;
- Understand the history of games and different eras of video games,
- Learn various game analysis techniques,
- Present and discuss significant classic games in the context of game history,
- Redesign classic games,
- Play modern games and analyze them based on components of the gaming experience,
- Learn to analyze games with different player profiles.
|
| Mode of Delivery | Face to face |
|---|
| Prerequisites | No |
|---|
| Recommended Optional Programme Components | |
|---|
| Course Description | This course introduces students to the history of games, starting from the 1970s. Students will learn about important games in game history and those that pushed boundaries in each era. The course will include discussions on what was done right or wrong in the development and production processes of various games. By redesigning the mechanics of classic or retro games, students will enhance their skills. Game analysis techniques such as comparative analysis, readings, historical analysis, and case studies will be explored. Additionally, students will learn the fundamentals of player experience and psychology and will analyze modern games based on the six components that constitute the gaming experience. Analyzing games with different player profiles is also part of the course. |
|---|
| Course Contents |
| WEEK |
TOPICS |
|
1st Week |
The course begins with an overview of the syllabus. This week will provide a general introduction to classes, resources, assignments, and grading. The Game Analysis Assignment will be introduced, and the six gameplay dimensions will be discussed with relevant assignment details. |
|
2nd Week |
The class begins by defining games and exploring the relationships between uncertainty, rules, and mechanics, as well as gameplay and mechanics. Five types of game mechanics will be discussed, and a weekly assignment will be given. Concepts such as flow, interest, and the learning curve will also be explained. A theoretical exercise will be presented, and Assignment 1 will be distributed. |
|
3rd Week |
The course introduces basic terms related to player psychology: flow, engagement, usability/playability, mediation, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, Bartle?s taxonomy, self-determination theory, six engagement-competency factors, and the Player Motivation Profile. A sample Player Motivation Profile will be analyzed, and a new research assignment will be given. |
|
4th Week |
The course introduces students to the main frameworks of game analysis. Different analysis methods, such as comparative analysis, reading/interpretation, historical analysis, and case studies, will be explained. An example of a detailed game analysis will be provided by the instructor. |
|
5th Week |
This is the first session on Game History, covering Chapters I and II of The Golden Age of Video Games, with a focus on boundary-pushing games. The instructor will provide a sample interaction framework for game analysis. Assignment 2 will be given. |
|
6th Week |
Student presentations for Assignment 2. Each student will present on a retro game selected by the instructor, addressing questions such as: Why is this game historically significant? What are the unique features of the game? What are the game mechanics? What went right and wrong during its production? How does the game look (students may use game videos)? |
|
7th Week |
Continuation of student presentations for Assignment 2. Each student will present on a retro game, answering the same questions regarding historical significance, unique features, mechanics, production insights, and visual style. |
|
8th Week |
The instructor will provide an example of a one-dimensional comparison and multi-dimensional comparison framework for comparing games. Assignment 3 (Group Research Presentation) will be assigned. |
|
9th Week |
This is the second lecture on Game History, covering the book Game On!: The History of Video Games from Pong and PacMan to Mario, Minecraft, and More. |
|
10th Week |
Selected student groups will present their videos for Assignment 3, with successful students eligible for an extra 10 points through a foyer event after the presentation. |
|
11th Week |
This lecture focuses on emergence and progression in games. An exercise on hybridizing an emergent game will be given, and the processing framework will be analyzed in detail. |
|
12th Week |
The second lecture on the history of RPGs (role-playing games). |
|
13th Week |
This lecture covers published research on games in the literature. Students will read and evaluate an academic article as an exercise. |
|
14th Week |
Students will prepare a final project document focused on theme, genre, gameplay, visuals, and narrative. |
|
| Recommended or Required Reading | Adams, E. (2012) Game Mechanics: Advanced Game Design CHAPTER 1: Designing Game Mechanics, CHAPTER 1, 5.
Bostan, B., Tingoy, O. Game Design and Gamer Psychology, Gamer Psychology and Behavior, pp. 105-123, 2016, Springer, ISBN 978-3-319-29904-4.
Bostan, B., Sahin, G., Uney, M.C., Interactivity in Computer Games, in Proceedings of the GAMEON?2015 Conference, Holland, December 2015.
Dillon, Roberto. 2011. The Golden Age of Video Games. New York: Taylor and Francis. PART I.
Hansen, D. 2016. Game On!: Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More, 212-290.
|
|---|
| Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods |
- Questions/Answers
- Discussion
- Case Study
- Project
- Presentation
- Practice
|
|---|
| Assessment Methods and Criteria |
|
Quantity |
Percentage (%) |
| Mid-term |
1 |
20 |
| Assignment |
4 |
40 |
| Total(%) |
|
60 |
| Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) |
|
60 |
| Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) |
|
40 |
| Total(%) |
|
100 |
|
| ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload |
| Activities |
Quantity |
Duration (Hour) |
Total Workload (Hour) |
| Midterm exam |
1 |
2 |
2 |
| Preparation for Quiz |
|
|
|
| Individual or group work |
8 |
3 |
24 |
| Preparation for Final exam |
3 |
8 |
24 |
| Course hours |
3 |
15 |
45 |
| Preparation for Midterm exam |
3 |
4 |
12 |
| Laboratory (including preparation) |
|
|
|
| Final exam |
1 |
3 |
3 |
| Homework |
3 |
4 |
12 |
| Presentation (including preperation) |
1 |
4 |
4 |
| Project |
1 |
4 |
4 |
| Meeting with advisor |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Material Development |
4 |
3 |
12 |
| Case Study Presentation |
3 |
2 |
6 |
| Total Work Load | 150 |
| Total Work Load / 30 (h) | 5 |
| ECTS Credit of the Course | 5 |
|
| Language of Instruction | Turkish |
|---|
| Work Placement(s) | No |
|---|
