Cognitive Science 0297 - Analog Game Design

In this course, students will play, analyze, and design many non-digital games to deepen their understanding of game design. We will make good use of the Hampshire Game Library! Assignments will be project-based and are intended to provide both crucial practice of skills and useful additions to a portfolio. The course will include several smaller assignments to analyze existing games and design new games, as well as a semester-long project to contribute to an existing, ongoing, real-world game development project (such as the D&D miniatures game with 1500+ existing cards and stats). Frequent critiques and playtests will increase students' ability to give and receive thoughtful feedback, which is a key skill for game designers. To facilitate the substantial game playing and analysis that will be required outside of class hours, there is a reserved lab time from 7pm - 10pm on Mondays. Students are strongly encouraged to keep this time free in their schedules. Prerequisite: At least one semester of game design.

Independent Work Quantitative Skills To facilitate the substantial game playing and analysis that will be required outside of class hours, there is a reserved lab time from Mondays 7pm - 10pm in the Library (Room B9 Chris Young). Students are strongly encouraged to keep this time free in their schedules. There will be a materials fee of $40 (or $0 if needed and you contact Ira in advance). As with most things, the more time you put into this course, the more you will get out of it. You should expect to spend at least seven hours per week (on average) doing activities outside of class, including assignments, reading, playing, playtesting, experimenting, and anything else related to the subject matter.