Game Dev Design Studio
Description
This project challenges students to collaboratively design, prototype, and develop a playable video game experience. Over the course of the semester, your team will engage in all stages of the game development process, from initial concept and analysis through game design and prototyping to testing and polishing the final product. The focus is on exploring creative gameplay mechanics, designing engaging player experiences, and delivering a cohesive and technically functional game segment that integrates into a larger collaborative project.
Learning Goals
By completing this course, you will:
- Apply game design principles
Develop an understanding of core game design concepts and apply them throughout the development process. - Engage in the full game development lifecycle
Practice structured development from ideation and documentation to implementation, playtesting, and iteration using agile methodologies. - Implement interactive systems
Translate design ideas into working gameplay features using suitable tools and technologies. - Refine user experience through playtesting
Design and conduct playtests, analyze player feedback, and iterate on game mechanics and balance to enhance engagement and usability.
Deliverables
- Game Design Document (GDD)
A detailed description of the concept, gameplay mechanics, visual style, narrative, and technical requirements. - Prototype Builds
Progressive prototypes demonstrating the implementation of core mechanics and player interactions. - Playtesting Reports
Documentation of test sessions, feedback analysis, and iteration summaries. - Final Playable Game Segment
A polished, playable portion of the larger game demonstrating complete functionality, visual coherence, and player engagement. - Final Presentation
A team presentation and live demonstration of the project, explaining design choices, development challenges, and lessons learned.