Critical Games, Play and Design

• • 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.

Others

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.

Special requirements

No special requirements

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.

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.

• 1000-1500 words (20%)
• Participation (20%)
• Major essay or project (40%)
• Short answer test (20%)