Module 10 - Introduction to Video Games IndustryLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

Module 10 is a combination of 5 separate parts. This module is possible to pass by using a smart phone and you do NOT need any specific software tools.
Part 1 – History of Games
Part 1 is the about the history of games. It is an introductory module. It serves to illustrate the importance of looking at past games and what can be learnt from studying their historical significance. It will be essential viewing for anyone interested in a career in games development. The topic is ‘Ten Games that changed Gaming’.
The learning outcomes are as follows:
· How games evolved over time.
· An understanding of how technological innovation can generate game-play innovation.
· How deep rewarding mechanics can be created with great economy and limited assets.

These learnings should directly impact student’s abilities to complete the practical modules on this course. No prior design, art of coding experience is required. There are NO deliverables. You need to complete a quiz which follows the videos.

The module is broken down as follows:
History of Games
Part 1: This video covers the learning outcomes, the judging criteria and the following game. Game 1: Spacewar! Game 2: Defender Game 3: Pac-man Game 4: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Game 5: Doom
History of Games Part 2: This video covers games 1-6: Games 6: Ridge Racer Game 7: Half-Life Game 8: Grand Theft Auto 3 Game 9: Minecraft Game 10: Pokémon Go Part 2 – Game Experience Analysis We all like to talk to our friends about our best game playing experiences. From the perspective of being part of the games industry we think it is important to understand the history and the development of the video games industry. Many game designers and developers learn from their own experiences because they want to make even better games! Analysing your own game experience will give you an understanding how the games industry became such an important industry and part of our everyday lives and what makes a game fun! We have all played more than one great game but here we make you to choose your favourite one. This Module 12 will also help you to take and complete Module 10 Game Design -module where you need to design your own game. Learning outcomes: Learn to look at your game player experience for the purpose of understanding behaviours and reasons why some games are better and more engaging than others. Learn to look at important features and characteristics of a ‘great game’ from your own perspective. Learning resources: There are no videos to watch on this lecture. You need to write an essay about your own game experience, analysing your own behaviours and game choice as a game player. You have already completed Module 10: History of Games and learned why other games have been more important for the industry than others. Assessment: Your Essay will be read and assessed. The essay must cover a story about your game experience as well as you need to answer various questions about the game. Part 3 - Innovation in Games Video games industry started properly to boom in the 70s. As described in the Module 11: History of Games, there have been many significant games published that changed the industry. However, along these years many of the technologies used in developing games have advanced a lot too. This module is about improving your general knowledge about innovation in games. We will cover topics such as the games industry facts, titles, development platforms, studios, characters, designers and developers, associations and communities and, of course, technologies. You will need to self-study and answer 60 quiz questions to learn about the different aspects that influence the future of video games development. We will provide you some website links for making it easier to find the right answer. Learning outcomes: The module will improve your general knowledge about video games industry and development in a fun and simple way that can be also studied by using a smart phone. Learn to look for information about video games industry. Learn to follow selected trends in games. Learning resources: There are no videos or presentation materials to watch on this lecture. You need to be able to browse the internet to search for answers to the 60 quiz questions about innovation in games. PC is recommended and internet connections for searching facts. Assessment: We will pass you if you answer correctly to 70% (42/60) of questions. You can do the quiz as many times you like until you pass. Part 4 - The Games Industry and Data Analytics The Video Games Industry has grown since 90s to an industry worth more than 150 billion $ (2019). It is bigger industry than movies, films and music altogether. As learned from Module 11, 12 and 13, it is thanks to lot of innovations in the industry as well excellent, creative people developing great games along the history of approx. 50 years. This module is about games industry and data analytics. It is very seldom that any university degree in games teaches the business side of the industry. Most often courses are about technology and arts. We try to give you an easy introduction about the terminology used in the games industry and also introduce you to a number important game analytics topics (data science) that you should know before deciding what type of games you want to develop. At first you probably want to like to develop games you like personally, but when it comes to a successful game you need to know the facts about the games industry and where is the best potential, and still like the game genre you work with. This Module is the last ‘easy’ module we publish. As always it is important that you get to know at least the basics of games industry even you would prefer games programming or games arts. You will self-study this document I prepared for you and then answer to 30 quiz questions to show your learnings about the different aspects the games business and data analytics. Learning outcomes: The module will improve your general knowledge about video games industry and data analytics in a simple way. You can study this module by using a smart phone. Learn about video games industry and games business. Learn about terminology used in video games industry and data analytics. Learning resources: Your main learning resource is this presentation. There is NO need to search for internet for more information but there are references you might be interested in looking for further reading. Assessment: You need to pass quiz with over 80% correct answers (28/35). You can do the quiz as many times you like until you pass. Part 5 - Analysis of The Game I Play Now, 1 ECTS This module is about looking at and analysing the game you are playing NOW. You will carry on analysing what makes a game fun and distinctive from all other similar games available. You will learn more about characteristics of a great game in a fun way! Learning outcomes? You will learn about prioritising characteristic and features of games you play--You will analyse your own games preferences You will learn statistics and features of the game you play now You will start understanding why games are so different from each other How will you learn? You will play the game you play now and write a short essay and respond some specific questions about the game. This is will help in the next Module 11 where you start designing your own game. Your assignment Your assignment is to PLAY THE GAME you play now. If you play several ones just choose the one you want. Please do NOT use the same game than in Module 12 essay though. Th en write approximately 1 page about the game and answer some questions about that gam