Serious Games
IMGD 404X - C Term 2011

Student Work: Serious Game Prototypes

  • Disposomania (compulsive hoarding) - concept document / presentation
  • The Shocking Truth (electroconvulsive therapy) - concept document / presentation
  • (middle-school algebra) - concept document / presentation

    Serious Game Analyses


    • Course Description: This course explores the application of the technologies and design principles of interactive media and game development beyond traditional entertainment. The purpose of such applications is typically to change people's behaviors, knowledge and/or attitudes in diverse areas including health care, training, education, simulation, politics, marketing and art. Students will read about, experiment with, compare and discuss examples, as well as the underlying philosophies and issues specific to this genre, such as needs analysis and rigorous evaluation. Students in groups will also research a new application and produce a concept document and prototype. Advanced programming skill is not required, but a background in game design is strongly recommended.

    Course Objectives and Outcomes


    Recommended Background: IMGD 1001 and either IMGD 2000 or IMGD 2001

    Class Times: Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri, 12:00pm - 12:50pm

    Class Location: Atwater Kent Laboratories, Room 232

    Required Text: N. Iuppa and T. Borst, End-to-End Game Development: Creating Independent Serious Games and Simulations from Start to Finish, Focal Press (Elsevier), Burlington, MA, 2010.


    Other Resources:
  • Books
  • Playable Games
  • Video Clips
  • Companies
  • Organizations/Web sites
  • Conferences
  • Courses

    From this course:

  • Game Analyses

    • Detailed Schedule: Html version with links for games and readings --- Pdf version for printing

    Schedule is subject to change!

    Bibliography of readings

    There will be a 5-minute pass/fail quiz at the start of each class with reading preparation (see schedule). The quiz will consist of one or two simple short-answer questions which should be easy to answer if you actually read the assigned reading(s). See grading.


    Homework Instructions:

  • Scientific Paper Presentation Template (including Case Study Papers): ppt pdf -- one per student

  • Game Analysis Template: html -- one in pairs, one individual (see similar examples at MSU)

    Submit each homework as a single zip file (containing all data) via Web Turn-in


    • Project Milestones:

  • Sun, Jan 23 (midnight): Form teams (send email to instructor)
  • Wed, Feb 2 (midnight): Needs/task analysis via Web Turn-in
  • Mon/Tues, Feb 7/8 (in class): Concept document progress reports
  • Sun, Feb 13 (midnight): Concept documents via Web Turn-in
  • Thu/Fri, Mar 3/4 (in class): Prototype presentations

    • Grading:
  • 10% Class Participation (minus 1% for every failed quiz)

  • 20% Scientific Paper Presentation (10% completeness/accuracy; 5% originality; 5% presentation)

  • 30% Game Analysis Presentations (2 x 15% -- 10% content; 5% presentation)

  • 40% Final Project (10% needs/task analysis; 15% concept document; 15% prototype)

    Bonus: up to 10% for handing in analysis of additional game of your choice (see suggestions)---game choice requires prior approval of instructor. Game must not be on MSU list.

    Final grades will reflect the extent to which you have demonstrated understanding of the material and completed the assigned work. The base level grade will be a "B" which indicates that the basic objectives for presentations and project have been met. A grade of an "A" will indicate significant achievement beyond the basic objectives. A grade of a "C" will indicate not all basic objectives were met, but work was satisfactory for credit. No incomplete grades will be assigned unless there exist exceptional, extenuating circumstances.


    • Policies: Attendance
    • Regular class attendance (and active participation) is expected.
    • If you have an unavoidable need to be absent from a class, please let the instructor know in advance if you want to be excused from a quiz.
    Late Homework
    • All homework (presentations) should be submitted via Web Turn-In by midnight before due date.
    • Homework turned up to 24 hours late will immediately be penalized 50% of total assignment value. No credit will be given for homework submitted more than 24 hours after midnight due date.
    Cheating
    • Taking credit for work you did not do is cheating. If you are in doubt, ask the instructor first!
    • Cheating is a serious offense, punishable by an automatic NR for the course.
    • Institute policy on academic honesty will be followed in all cases.