Current Concepts and Topics in Game Design

This semester we are going to look at innovative concepts and topics in game design. Among other things, we will investigate how games can model cooperation and rivalry, how pervasive games probe the limits of what a game is, and how topics such as political issues can be translated into games. Our focus will be boardgames, but we will also cover role-playing games, video games and cross-overs.

To better discuss those issues we will conduct a close reading of one or two selected games, taking more time than usual to analyse them, dissect their mechanisms and discuss how modifications would change the gameplay, the meanings the games create and the emotions they evoke. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own designs and put them up for discussion.

Active participation and written essay.