780.222 (21S) Practical Game Criticism

Sommersemester 2021

Registration deadline has expired.

First course session
09.03.2021 10:00 - 12:00 online Off Campus
... no further dates known

Overview

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be necessary to make changes to courses and examinations at short notice (e.g. cancellation of attendance-based courses and switching to online examinations).

For further information regarding teaching on campus, please visit: https://www.aau.at/en/corona.
Lecturer
Tutor/Tutors
Course title german Practical Game Criticism
Type Course (continuous assessment course )
Course model Online course
Hours per Week 2.0
ECTS credits 2.0
Registrations 13 (20 max.)
Organisational unit
Language of instruction Englisch
Course begins on 09.03.2021
eLearning Go to Moodle course

Time and place

Please note that the currently displayed dates may be subject to change due to COVID-19 measures.
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Course Information

Intended learning outcomes

Students completing this class will be familiar with the most important terminology in video game criticism, and will be able to apply this knowledge to in-depth analyses of the medium.

Important notice:

This class will take place fully (100%) online! Detailed instructions about the schedule and procedure will be provided via e-mail and Moodle. Please, check your AAU inboxes regularly!

This class is linked to the AAU Game Jam and participation will be mandatory. The preliminary date will be announced soon. This information is subject to change. Please check course description regularly for updates. The AAU Game Jam is going to be an online event as well!

Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools

Short lecture inputs; hands-on analyses of selected games; participation in a Game Jam; discussions

Course content

Game ideas are cheap and plentiful. Advancing those ideas into games that people want to play is one of the hardest, and most under-appreciated, tasks in the game development cycle. This course introduces students to the craft of designing computer and video games, including a detailed analysis of the key game design elements, such as examining game concepts and worlds, storytelling, character and user interface design, core mechanics and balance. Plus, we will discuss the major game genres and identify the design patterns and unique creative challenges that characterize them. We'll start by taking a look at various examples, then moving forward to an accessible, practical approach to analyzing games (beginner's guide). Video games and other digital experiences have become the leading medium in western, post-/late modern societies, overcoming stereotypical expectations as to the gender and age of players. In order to be able to appreciate games and their socio-cultural potential accordingly, it is necessary to use an appropriate terminology and accurate critical methods - we must learn to 'read' games. This is what this class is there to achieve, to give students access to useful theories and then have them apply this knowledge to their hands-on, shared experience of selected games.

Keywords/Topics:

Development cycle
Craft of designing (video) games
Game design elements
Major game genres
Video game marketing
Video game journalism
Practical approach - analyzing games
Socio-cultural potential
Appropriate terminology
Critical thinking
Hands-on experience

Literature

Reading packets will be provided in digital form. There is no need to buy any books.

Link to further information

https://www.itec.aau.at/gamejam/

Examination information

Im Fall von online durchgeführten Prüfungen sind die Standards zu beachten, die die technischen Geräte der Studierenden erfüllen müssen, um an diesen Prüfungen teilnehmen zu können.

Examination methodology

Active participation in an AAU Game Jam (online!)
Active participation in class and at home (online!)
Written assignments (post mortem and game review) 

Examination topic(s)

Active participation and written assignments: Documentation, analysis and critical reflection.

For further information, please join the Welcome Session!

Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations

The written post mortem and game review comply with criteria explained during lecture. The final grade is an aggregate (two pillars of assessment):

50% active participation (assignments, discussions, short presentations)

50% post mortem and game review

Grading scheme

Grade / Grade grading scheme

Position in the curriculum

  • Master's degree programme Game Studies and Engineering (SKZ: 992, Version: 17W.2)
    • Subject: Game Studies (Compulsory subject)
      • Practical Game Criticism ( 0.0h KS / 2.0 ECTS)
        • 780.222 Practical Game Criticism (2.0h KS / 2.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 1. Semester empfohlen

Equivalent courses for counting the examination attempts

Wintersemester 2024/25
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Sommersemester 2024
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2023/24
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Sommersemester 2023
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2022/23
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Sommersemester 2022
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2021/22
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2020/21
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2019/20
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2018/19
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2017/18
  • 780.222 KS Practical Game Criticism (2.0h / 2.0ECTS)