Overview
Like books or movies, video games can transport us into other times or other worlds. Characters, settings and plotted action engage us in a vicarious experience.
In this course, you will perform research to conceive, design and present a video game concept based in a mythological, historical or other imaginary setting. You will organize and present the game details, including characters, story, setting and game play.
Outline
The course consists of the following study guide units:
- Unit 1 – The Setting: A Sense of Time and Place
- Unit 2 – The Characters: Playable and Non-Playable
- Unit 3 – Interactive Objects and World Elements
- Unit 4 – The Timeline and Story
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- establish the characters, events and facts of a mythology or historical period in the background and setting for a video game.
- conduct a literature review on mythological and historical periods using library and Internet resources.
- critically survey and summarize a chosen mythological or historical context for use in a computer game concept.
- illustrate and shape the setting, geography, characters, world elements and chain of events of a video game concept using online tools and visuals.
- present and explain a game design concept in a slide presentation, website or video.
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 283, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50%) and a grade of at least 50% on each of the five assignments. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Essay | 20% |
| Assignment 2: Fact Table | 20% |
| Assignment 3: Timelines | 20% |
| Assignment 4: Interactive Story | 20% |
| Assignment 5: Final Presentation | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
This course is taught using a combination of online materials and instructor support.
Special Course Features
In designing your game, you can choose your favourite myth or time period in history, or you can invent your own creative mythology. You will interact with other students by participating in discussions, and you can share knowledge by recommending reading materials, blogs, and news.