Overview

This unit introduces key concepts in game design. It aims to develop a practical understanding of the design process particular to games building on interactive game structures established earlier in the course. It introduces key aspects of the games industry production methodology and creative industries working towards the production of a simple working game prototype.

Requisites

Prerequisites
GAM10001 Introduction to Game Studies

Rule
GAM10001 Introduction to Game Studies
OR
ART10004 Introduction to Game Studies

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Recognise and reflect on the relationship between game design and its place in culture and society
  • Apply knowledge in the design, development and playtesting of board games using principles of game design
  • Formulate strategies for game design and marketing for specific audiences
  • Integrate and apply knowledge of the game industry to creative practice
  • Apply aspects of narrative, mechanics, aesthetics and technology to the design, development, playtesting and production
  • Communicate effectively in meetings as an individual and via use of a game design document in project teams

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture		 2.0 12 weeks  24
On-campus
Class		 2.0 12 weeks  24
Specified Activities
Various		 3.0 5 weeks  15
Specified Activities
Various		 2.5 10 weeks  25
Unspecified Activities
Independing Learning		 4.5 12 weeks  54
TOTAL     142

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Analysis Individual 10%  1,2,3
Assessment Group  40%  1,2,3,4,5,6 
Assessment Group  30%  1,2,3,4,5,6 
Report Individual  20%  1,2,4,5 

Content

  • Project management methodologies
  • Game design heuristics
  • Practical application of game design theory
  • Team based communication methods
  • Analysis of game design across platforms
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literac

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.