Foundations of Game Design

This unit introduces core principles, roles, processes, and tools of video game design, including mechanics, systems, narrative, art style, user experience, balance, playtesting, and basic project management. It builds on prior arts and technology knowledge and prepares learners for applied prototyping, production workflows, and advanced design topics in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze existing games to identify and document core mechanics, system interactions, narrative structure, art style, and user experience elements, producing a comparative report with concrete examples
• Apply stages of the game design process and selected design tools to develop a one-page game concept, a basic design brief, and initial project plan that define goals, scope, and intended audience
• Demonstrate iterative design and early validation by conducting at least two playtest sessions of a paper or digital prototype, recording observations and producing a prioritized list of refinements
• Evaluate production and market factors—including common development failure points, balance considerations, marketing strategies, and publishing options—and justify a recommended go-to-market approach for the concept