780.222 (23W) Practical Game Criticism

Wintersemester 2023/24

Registration deadline has expired.

First course session
10.11.2023 08:00 - 12:00 N.0.27 On Campus
... no further dates known

Overview

Lecturer
Course title german Practical Game Criticism
Type Course (continuous assessment course )
Course model Blended learning course
Online proportion 20%
Hours per Week 2.0
ECTS credits 2.0
Registrations 23 (20 max.)
Organisational unit
Language of instruction Englisch
Course begins on 10.11.2023
eLearning Go to Moodle course

Time and place

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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.

This class is linked to the AAU Game Jam and participation will be mandatory. The Winter Game Jam will take place on campus (Dec. 15-17, 2023). This information is subject to change. Please check course description regularly for updates. 

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

Videogames 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 course introduces students to the craft of designing  videogames, 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. 

Prior knowledge expected

no prior knowledge necessary

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 (date tba)
Active participation in class and at home
Written assignments (game review) 

The use of AI support or AI-generated text is prohibited in all of my courses!

In order to check whether this ban is respected, there is the possibility of a compulsory, individual, and oral follow-up defence of submitted or presented work. Should the use of AI be detected in any assignment, or a follow-up defence not be sufficient, the task concerned will automatically receive a fail-grade and your violation will be reported to university leadership, just as is the case with any other form of academic dishonesty or cheating.

Examination topic(s)

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


Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations

The game review complies with criteria explained in class. 

30% active participation (assignments, discussions, etc.)

70% game review


Grading scheme

Grade / Grade grading scheme

Position in the curriculum

  • Master's degree programme Game Studies and Engineering (SKZ: 992, Version: 23W.1)
    • Subject: Game Studies (Compulsory subject)
      • 3.2 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
  • 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)
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)
Sommersemester 2021
  • 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)