Critical Games, Play and Design
UndergraduateMUR-GAD2322024
Course information for 2024 intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP available
Critical Games, Play and Design
About this subject
On successful completion of the subject you should be able to:
- understand the influence of digital games on contemporary culture, and how games are positioned within the media environment more broadly
- apply key concepts, theoretical perspectives and core principles related to games, play and design
- think critically about the game experience, and creatively about the possibilities of game creation
- critically analyse game design, game practices and playful media produsage in terms of their cultural and creative effects
- persuasively, cogently and coherently describe and evaluate games and game-specific perspectives in both oral and written forms.
- Introduction to the field of Games Studies.
- Social effects and cultural context of games and play.
- Critical overview of 'gamification' and 'ludification'.
- Social effects and cultural context of games and play.
- Core principles of Game Design.
- Review of the critical design, speculative design and co-creative design practices.
- Research methods in Game Studies and Game Design.
- Practice-led research methods and game ethnography.
This subject will critically explore game design and playful digital content production in contemporary culture. Areas of focus will include: games (console, computer, mobile, casual and multiplayer), user-created content and playful media produsage (e.g. Indie game development, modding, web and app development). These practices will be examined from a number of perspectives, including game studies, critical design and new media theory. Students will learn key concepts emerging from these fields, and how to apply them.
Murdoch University students should also note that MCC232 Video Game Studies is considered academically equivalent and therefore you should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed MCC232.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
- Essay - 1000-1500 words (20%)
- Participation (20%)
- Major essay or project (40%)
- Short answer test (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Others
This subject is CSP only and cannot be taken as open access. The correct CSP fee will be displayed once you begin the enrolment process.
Note: Level 2 subjects normally assume an introductory level of prior knowledge in this area, e.g. from studying related Level 1 subjects or other relevant experience.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.