CMS.300/CMS.841 Intro to Videogame Studies
Fall 2009
Instructor: Doris Carmen Rusch
TA: Elliot Pinkus
Lecture: MW3.30-5 (NE25-373)
Class Requirements:
Please note that the requirements for grad students and undergrads are slightly different.
The grade of the course will be determined by participation and in-class preparedness (20%), videogame analysis presentation (20%), short paper (20%), final paper (40%).
Late submissions will be graded one grade lower than normally. Extensions are granted only if you come and talk to us at least a week in advance.
Regular attendance is required – we may not consider grading your exercises if you miss a 10% of sessions without justifications.
Important Dates:
First week of the course: decide on the game(s) you want to analyze for the rest of the semester. For details about the videogame analysis assignment, see Videogame Analysis Assignment Doc.
Wed, Sept.16th: during Wednesday’s lab session, briefly talk about the game(s) you have chosen for analysis for the course. Provide a short explanation why the game(s) you chose is (are) interesting in regard to game analysis. What is the game’s contribution, what makes it special?
October 7th: student videogame analysis presentations begin!
Monday, Oct. 19th: submit your short paper, containing your first game analysis (see videogame analysis assignment for details).
Wednesday, Nov. 18th: drop date: last date to cancel subjects from registration.
Monday, Dec. 2nd: submit long paper, containing your significant
elaboration on your game analysis (see videogame analysis
assignment for details).
Announcements
Jesper Juul guest talk on "Casual Revolution"
Hello All,please note the class readings for Nov.9th have been shifted to Nov 16th since we have a guest talk by Jesper Juul on Monday. Jesper is going to present his new book "casual revolution", which deals with the genre of casual games (as the title hints at).
Announced on 08 November 2009 6:47 p.m. by Doris Carmen Rusch
Reading for Monday 11/2
Announced on 30 October 2009 6:14 p.m. by Elliot Pinkus
Wed class: featuring Clint Hocking!
Hey All,Clint Hocking, creative director of Ubisoft Montreal, is going to give a talk on Wed 4pm in the GAMBIT TV lounge. This will be instead of our usual class. Please still do the readings that are due for Wed. as they are still important for your analyses.
Announced on 23 October 2009 1:15 p.m. by Doris Carmen Rusch
Attendance
Announced on 21 October 2009 7:04 p.m. by Elliot Pinkus
Show your game
Hey All,just a quick reminder for game presentations: please find a way to show the game to give your colleagues a better idea of what you are talking about. That means either show the game itself or at least show some meaningful youtube clips that illustrate your points. If you need help with preparing safe points or capturing a part of the game you want to show, please let us know so we can help.
Showing the game in one way or another plays into the grade you get for your presentations.
Announced on 12 October 2009 2:21 p.m. by Doris Carmen Rusch
