Game Design 1 introduces students to the fundamentals of game design, focusing on game mechanics, player experience, and iterative development. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, beginning with board game prototyping and a game jam to explore core design principles. In the second half of the semester, students translate one of their board game concepts into a digital game, applying their knowledge in a practical development process.

Students will engage in guided exercises, focusing on iterative playtesting, applying feedback, and refining their prototypes. Midway through the semester, they will propose how to adapt a board game into a digital format, spending the remainder of the course developing and refining it. Final evaluation considers the quality of this transition, as well as their understanding of game design principles and iterative development.

Tools: All sorts of “games and bits” for boardgame prototypes, Unity.