MSCH-C210: Introduction to Games

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OVERVIEW

Introduction to Games is the starting course in the Game Design Major at Indiana University. The learning outcomes of the course are:

  1. Students will understand the fundamentals of Game Theory and Systems Theory
  2. Students will be able to quickly learn and explore highly complex rules systems

Game Theory is the mathematical representation of strategic interaction. It provides the fundamental intellectual grounding of the game designer's craft, similar to the role of organic chemistry in the training of a doctor, or the physics of force in the training of an architect.

Systems Theory is an abstract engineering model that expresses a designed object as the looped interaction of moving parts. As such it is a particularly apt lens for understanding game design. Our late founder, Professor Mike Sellers, argued that game design is system design, and the entire IU Game Design program embraces this insight. 

Complex rules systems are sets of player restrictions and affordances that are well beyond the immediate understanding of the player. Knowing how to quickly grasp the basic essence of a complex system is necessary for designing large-scale, comprehensive rules systems such as we see in the most advanced games. We will study examples of such systems, primarily in board games. Methods for comfortably and quickly learning such systems will be taught. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Bring any issue to the TA first, BEFORE contacting the professor. This allows your issue to receive a timely response. 

Professor
Dr. Edward Castronova, PhD 
Office Hours: 4:30-6:30pm Tuesdays. 030H Franklin
Contact: Canvas Inbox

TA 

Johnathan Anderson

Office Hours: 5:30-6:30 Tuesdays, or by appointment

Likely Zoom, but we can always set up in-person meetings.

Email: jsa10@iu.edu

FORMAT

Class is three hours long. Each class consists of one hour of lecture on theory, followed by 2 hours of guided group instruction in a complex rule set.

In addition, there is mandatory and optional homework.

  • Mandatory Homework: There are two games that must be learned outside of class, as homework: Labyrinth: The War on Terror, and Dungeons and Dragons, Fifth Edition. These games will constitute 25 percent of the questions on the final. They will not be taught in class. See Course Materials below. 
  • Optional Homework: Each week, a problem set will be given out that covers the theoretical material in the lecture. Answers will be provided. 

CLASS ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. IMPORTANT: On SEPTEMBER 20, class will extend up to two hours beyond the usual ending time, to execute a large-scale disaster simulation game. Students are expected to attend the full session. 

GRADING

Grades are based on three midterms worth 100 points each and a final worth 200 points. Each midterm covers one-third of the course material. The final is comprehensive. Tests will take place in the classroom; students must have a device to access the test on Canvas. Each individual test will be curved. The curve will assign As to 20% of the class, Bs to 60% of the class, and Cs and below to the remaining 20% of the class. Curved grades will be displayed as letter grades. 

For the final grade, the curved test grades will be converted back into points using the table below. They will then be added together, and final grades will be assigned using the same table. Example: A student who gets B+, A-, and C+ on midterms, and an A- on the final, will earn 87 + 90 + 77 + 180 = 434 points in the class, which is 86.8 percent of 500. The resulting course grade is B. 

Test Grade Earned
(after curve)

 Midterm Points Awarded Final Points Awarded
A+ 100 200
A 93 186
A- 90 180
B+ 87 174
B 83 166
B- 80 160
C+ 77 154
C 73 146
C- 70 140
D+ 67 134
D 63 126
D- 60 120
F 0 0

 

COURSE MATERIALS

Theory

For theoretical material, students are encouraged to research concepts they do not understand on the internet. The following websites are recommended.

Complex Rule Systems

Board games will be provided in class. Students will be able to use class time to learn the games. After class, the games will be available for check out from the Media School equipment check-out system. How-to videos and reviews for games can be found at Board Game Geek.

Homework Games

Two games must be learned as homework. 

Labyrinth: The War on Terror. Students should learn this game to the point that they win on normal difficulty at least once without help. The game is available on Steam. The price varies but is typically $10-$15. Alternatively, students may purchase the board game version at GMT Games. This is far more expensive. 

Dungeons and Dragons. Students should learn D&D (5th edition) to the point where they can create a character and play without consulting the basic rules on movement, combat, and magic. Students can achieve this level of mastery by forming their own D&D groups and playing weekly for the duration of the class. The basic books for D&D are available in the Media School checkout system. The fundamental mechanics of D&D are open source and available for free as a Supplemental Rules Document. Countless websites provide free advice and explanations. The D&D homepage provides extensive resources. Alternatively, students can go to local game stores and ask to join a group. We recommend Common Room Games and The Game Preserve. Warning: The DnD content cannot be learned quickly, it requires regular commitment throughout the semester. We do not recommend playing DnD online or as a computer game; all questions will be oriented to face to face play. We also do not recommend playing other DnD editions, other role-playing systems, or advanced variants of the DnD 5e system. All the questions will be about DnD 5e. 

POLICIES

Grading Default
In any subjective assessment, the default score is 85 percent, which is taken to be the normal performance of an IU student. On rubric-based assignments, the second-highest mark is the default. 

Late Assignments
Late work loses one full grade for each day or partial day past the deadline. 

Makeups
The precise dates and times of all exams and assignments are given in the syllabus. It is the student's responsibility to pay close attention to these times and arrange their own schedules so that they are able to turn in work and take tests at the scheduled time. If there is a legitimate and unavoidable conflict, contact the TA AT LEAST THREE DAYS PRIOR TO the day of the conflict. Except in extraordinary circumstances, late submissions or makeups will NOT be granted after this deadline. 

NO ACCOMODATIONS WILL BE MADE FOR CONFLICTS WITH AIRLINE FLIGHTS. Students are expected to schedule trips so that they do not conflict with exam times. 

Academic Integrity
Students are expected to adhere to the standards detailed in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Academic misconduct is defined as any activity that tends to undermine the academic integrity of the institution. Violations include: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, selling notes, and facilitating academic dishonesty. In C210 specifically, students may not work together on tests. They may work together on homework. All suspected violations of the Code will be reported to the Dean of Students and handled according to University policies. Sanctions for academic misconduct may include a failing grade on the assignment and/or a reduction in final course grade, including reduction to F. If you are unsure about the expectations for completing an assignment, be sure to seek clarification from your instructor in advance.

Decorum
Students are expected to dress in a manner appropriate to a professional work environment in the tech industry. Clothes should be clean, modest, and inoffensive. Example:

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In the course summary below, a "z" indicates a board game that will be studied that day.

sprachen direkt uber spiele gebraucht, zB eine lekture worin das system-denken auf spiele angewandt wird

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due