Tabletop Game Design (12172.1)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | On-campus |
South Bank, QLD Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Arts And Design |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| School Of Design And The Built Environment | Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Identify key concepts related to games storytelling and character development, including the integration of storytelling and gameplay;
2. Apply key concepts of interactive design including emergence, choice, immersion, flow, rewards, balance, goals and risk;
3. Apply principles of gameplay mechanics to an original games project incorporating the use of appropriate design documentation;
4. Analyse and describe historical and future developments in games design using key games literature; and
5. Employ written communication skills in a professional and/or academic context.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
11689 Introduction to Game DesignAssumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | South Bank, QLD | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | On-campus | Mr Dominic Crisci |
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | On-campus | Mr Rik Lagarto |
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | On-campus | Mr Rik Lagarto |
| 2026 | South Bank, QLD | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | On-campus | Mr Enrique Klein |
Required texts
- Fullerton, T. (2019). Game design workshop: a playcentric approach to creating innovative games. AK Peters/CRC Press.
- Rogers, S. 2010 Level Up: The Guide to Great Video Games Design, John Wiley & Sons, West Sussex
- Suter, B. (2019). Games and Rules: Game Mechanics for the "Magic Circle".
- Schell, J. 2008 The Art of Games Design: A Book of Lenses, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers
- Salen, K. & Zimmerman, E. 2003 Rules of Play: Games Design Fundamentals, MIT Press
- Koster, R. 2004 A Theory of Fun for Games Design, Paraglyph Press, Phoenix, Arizona
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Artificial intelligence
Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as indicated in the assessment instructions for this unit, as well as Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.
GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:
the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.
Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.
The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Participation requirements
There is a strong correlation between participation and success in higher education. Your participation in the unit learning activities and your engagement with associated online activities will enhance your understanding of this unit's content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. This is a very hands on unit, and tutorials are organised around activities and workshops that connect directly with assessment items..Lack of participation may result in your inability to satisfactorily pass assessment items.
Required IT skills
Students require general computing skills in applications such as word, PowerPoint, and basic internet search capability.
In-unit costs
There are minor in-unit costs for students associated with acquiring basic game tokens/pieces and printing their paper-based game prototype for playtesting purposes.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
