ADK1003 Game Design
- Course codeADK1003
- Number of credits10
- Teaching semester2025 Spring
- Language of instructionEnglish
- CampusHamar
- Required prerequisite knowledge
No special requirements
- Game design
- Dramaturgical structures in video games
- Level design
- Synergies between gameplay and story development
- Analysis of video games
- Developing game design documents and finding sources of inspiration
- Game testing
- Project management
- Historical development within the gaming industry
- Interdisciplinary development of a product
- Systems thinking in game design
Learning Outcome
Upon completing the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes:
The student:
- has fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding in game design
- is familiar with the tasks and working methods of a game designer in various game productions
- has knowledge of simple analysis tools and techniques for games
- understands the basic similarities and differences between different types of games
- is familiar with historical developments in the gaming industry
- knows how to find sources of inspiration and apply them to their own work
- is familiar with developing a cohesive design that culminates in a video game
- understands the use of systems thinking in game design
- understands the use of project management tools in video game production
The student:
- can analyze simple games in terms of the relationship between mechanics and experience
- can use various techniques to balance existing and new game designs
- can specify and operationalize a game design to create a specific gaming experience
- can develop an interactive project from idea to final implementation through an iterative process
- can discuss and explain core concepts such as games, game design mechanics, and balancing
- can identify mechanics and gameplay patterns in different types of games
- can create new game design ideas and document them effectively
- can work in interdisciplinary teams
- can write an analytical academic text
- understands various project management methods and processes
- can adhere to minimum requirements for developing a viable video game
- can carry out First Playable, Alpha, Beta, and Gold Master according to the schedule
- understands historical developments within the gaming industry
The student:
- can explain and justify design choices with reference to the curriculum
- has a theoretical and cognitive basis for further analytical and creative work with interactive productions
- has theoretical and practical experience through analysis and game testing of games and the design and redesign of new and existing games
- can conduct an iterative game design process from start to finish, with a focus on prototyping, testing, and documentation
- can develop various game design documents
- can find, assess, and refer to sources of inspiration from the gaming and film industries
- can actively use source references in their own work
- can plan a video game project in an interdisciplinary working group
- can justify professional choices in the development process
- can use simplified system analysis in game design
The course is designed as a combination of lectures, practical exercises, self-study, and supervision.
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2-4 individual assignments
In this course, the required coursework is only valid for 12 months from the end of the semester it was last approved. Students who wish to do the exam after the 12 months have passed have to redo the coursework and get it approved again.
| Form of assessment | Grading scale | Grouping | Duration of assessment | Support materials | Proportion | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portfolio Assessment | ECTS - A-F | Individual | 50 | |||
Written assignment | ECTS - A-F | Group (2 - 4) | 50 |
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1 group assignment, 2–4 students per group, counts for 50% of the final grade
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2 individual assignments, counts for 50% of the final grade
To pass the course, both examinations must be passed.
In the case of group examinations, all group members share responsibility for the full content of the assignment/product/performance.