In order to design a game with a specific aesthetic, a game designer must understand the way the gamer’s mind works. Only then can the designer hope to elicit a player interpretation of the game such that the player experiences the desired aesthetic the designer created the game for. This course is an in-depth look at cognitive principles, such as perception, attention, and motivation, and how we, as game designers, can apply these principles to create the engaging games we intend.
This course covers:
The overarching goal of this class is that you will be able to proficiently apply cognitive theory to the game design process. More specifically you will be able to:
Term: Spring 2021
Location: Online
Date and Time: M / 01:25PM-04:20PM
Instructor: Nancy N. Blackburn
Website:
TBD
Syllabus:
Prerequisites:
Undergraduate in the Entertainment Arts and Engineering Program, or permission of the instructor.
Format:
Class format is a combination of seminar and lecture, drawing from the book and supplementary readings provided by the instructor. Grading is based on class participation (via discussions and in-class presentation) as well as comprehension quizzes and term projects.
Textbook:
Celia Hodent. The Gamer's Brain: How Neuroscience and UX can Impact Video Game Design. CRC Press, 2017.