Lecturer: Murat SARAN
Innovative Game Design is a hands-on, project-based course that immerses students in the creative and iterative process of game development. Throughout the semester, participants will actively play, critically analyze, modify, and design original games as a core part of their learning experience.
The course begins by introducing foundational principles of game design — including mechanics, player experience, systems thinking, balancing, narrative integration, and meaningful choice — before progressing into a series of structured, iterative design cycles. Students will repeatedly prototype, test, receive feedback, and refine their game concepts, developing both technical skills and a designer’s mindset.
Most major assignments are designed as collaborative group projects, intentionally structured to promote peer learning, constructive critique, teamwork, and the real-world experience of creating games together. By the end of the course, students will have produced multiple playable game prototypes and developed a deeper understanding of what makes games innovative, engaging, and meaningful.
Ideal for students interested in game design, interactive media, creative problem-solving, and collaborative creative practice. No prior game development experience is required.
After the successful completion of this course, the students will
1. Develop game design vocabulary for talking about games and their play.
2. Put into practice the basic tools of game design.
3. Learn about the kinds of play games provide.
4. Understand the demands gameplay makes on players.
5. Experience the iterative game design process.
6. Develop critical thinking skills related to the analysis of games and play.