Course description

The "Video Game Production" course aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of the game development process, from concept to distribution. Students will explore key roles in game production, project planning, resource management, and team collaboration. They will learn about game mechanics, player psychology, gameplay balancing, and the philosophy behind game design. The course also covers industry trends, marketing strategies, and distribution channels. Students will develop the skills necessary to navigate video game production's dynamic and competitive world through theoretical insights and practical applications.

The "Video Game Production" course provides students with comprehensive knowledge about the creation of video games, from the industry's history to current trends. The course begins with an overview of key roles in game production, popular video game genres, and market trends. It then explores the game production life cycle, including project planning and resource management. Later sessions cover team building, the division of responsibilities, effective communication, and problem-solving in group work. The course introduces game mechanics, player psychology, philosophy in games, and gameplay balancing, focusing on prototyping. The course concludes with an introduction to game marketing and distribution, helping students understand how games reach audiences and how to commercialize them. The course integrates theory with practical applications, preparing students for the challenges of the dynamic video game production industry.

Topics

• Introduction to video game production: industry history, current trends, key roles;
• Game production lifecycle – production phases: pre-production, production, post-production;
• Project planning and resource management – schedules, budgets, project management tools (Jira, Trello);
• Team building and task allocation – team roles, communication, problem-solving;
• Game design: mechanics and rules (game mechanics; player psychology; player motivation and game mechanics; gameplay balancing, verbal, visual and procedural rhetoric; philosophy in games; equality of opportunity in gameplay);
• Game testing: QA and playtesting (testing process, bug documentation, iteration);
• Introduction to game marketing and distribution (business models, marketing campaigns, distribution);
• Challenges in game production and the future of the industry.

Recommended industry literature and project materials provided by the instructor.

The course is designed so it could lead to obtaining a microcredential. Learning outcomes:

• student understands the basic stages of video game production and the roles in a development team.
• student can design a basic game concept (mechanics, narrative, etc.) and document it in a simplified Game Design Document (GDD).
• student can develop a basic game production plan, including timeline, milestones, and task distribution within the team.
• student is able to collaborate effectively in a project team, performing assigned roles and contributing to shared objectives.
• student can effectively present the outcomes of team work, including the game concept and production plan, to an audience.

Verification

• Group project: assesses learning outcomes related to game concept development, GDD preparation, production planning, and teamwork skills.
• Group presentation: assesses learning outcomes related to communication skills and the ability to present collaborative work results (game concept and production plan).