Assignments
This page provides an overview of the work that contributes to your final course grade, and connects you to descriptions for those projects and workshops through the links below. (Note that no descriptive detail appears on SVSU Canvas for any of these assignments.) I activate assignment pages as we need them, so do not worry if you cannot access all of the descriptions at the beginning of the semester.
Your course grade is computed from the points you earn on 6 projects and 8 workshops. Combined, these assignments total 2300 points.
You can read more about grading and what factors might influence your grade on the Policies page.
Projects
I use the term projects to categorize assignments that are significant undertakings, and that require development and refinement time that may span several weeks of the semester. You will complete 6 projects this semester that collectively contribute 1800 possible points to your course grade.
Each project description details several elements of the work, including design requirements, hints and tips, and submission guidelines. Use the links below to access those descriptions.
- Game 1.0 Prototype (G1P). 500 points. The G1P project requires you to design and produce a prototype of a tabletop game based on simple, tried-and-true game concepts that you recombine in an innovative, engaging way. The G1P project is challenging because it requires you to reimagine something familiar to bring a fresh design perspective to it, and then to create the physical components necessary to facilitate play.
- Game 1.0 Prototype Pitch (G1PP). 200 points. The G1PP project results in the creation of a 2 to 3 minute video that presents your Game 1 Prototype to prospective players. The G1PP is challenging because it requires you to distill the idea and the experience of your G1P into a compact but convincing pitch.
- Information Architecture Analysis 1 (IAA1). 200 points. The IAA1 project results in a critical 7 to 8 minute, video-driven chronology of the G1P project: development, design, playtesting, refinement. The project emphasizes how core information architecture concepts and strategies impacted the process. The IAA1 is challenging because it demands careful presentation of the project's history from a reflective research perspective.
- Game 2.0 Prototype (G2P). 500 points. The G2P project requires you to design and produce a digital prototype of a tabletop game, and post it to TableTop Simulator in the Steam game environment. This second game may be an evolution and digital transformation of the G1P, or it may be a new prototype. The G2P project is challenging because it requires you to recontextualize game components and game play in a digital environment.
- Game 2.0 Prototype Pitch (G2PP). 200 points. The G2PP project results in the creation of a 2 to 3 minute video that presents your G2P to prospective players. The G2PP is challenging because it requires you to distill the idea and the experience of your G2P into a compact but convincing pitch.
- Information Architecture Analysis 2 (IAA2). 200 points. The IAA2 project results in a critical 8 to 10 minute, video-driven chronology of the G2P project: development, design, playtesting, refinement. The project emphasizes how core information architecture concepts and strategies impacted the process, including how your perspectives and strategies evolved throughout the semester. The IAA2 is challenging because it demands careful presentation of the project's history from a reflective research perspective.
Workshops
I use the term workshops to categorize assignments that are smaller scale than projects, work that can be completed in the space of a single class session, or within the space of a single class week. The concepts, strategies, and practices examined through workshops build and reinforce your working knowledge for the course. You will complete 8 workshops this semester that collectively contribute 500 possible points to your course grade.
Each workshop description details several elements of the work, including design and discussion requirements, and submission guidelines. Use the links below to access those descriptions.
- Examining Information Architecture. 50 points. You examine and reflect upon the concepts and strategies of IA in action.
- Deconstructing Games. 50 points. You examine the design and execution of 1 or more games, observing patterns, structures, and strategies for connecting with players.
- Playtesting Games. 50 points. You practice and reflect upon playtesting as a method for UX research & design.
- Peer Playtesting 1. 100 points. You participate in playtesting peer team game designs to support their projects.
- Working in Tabletop Simulator 1. 50 points. You explore game play within the Tabletop Simulator environment, noting ways that it alters the experience of board games.
- Working in Tabletop Simulator 2. 50 points. You explore game design within the Tabletop Simulator environment, noting ways that it alters the design process.
- Peer Playtesting 2. 100 points. You participate in playtesting peer team game designs to support their projects.
- Game Design Showcase. 50 points. In-class showcase of the games designed during the semester.