Games for Change Design Workshop

This course is a hybrid theory and practice workshop in critical game design. Students will play, analyze, research, and design games through the lens of the current socio-political environment. Video games will be the primary focus, but board games, card games, and even playground games will be studied as well. The course will take students through the fundamental “grammar” of game design (rules, actions, and interactions) all the way through advanced topics including narrative elements, systems design, ethnography, and games for change (games based on real-world issues like climate changes, racism, and mass incarceration). Students will also walk away with analysis skills and strategies for creating a game design document. While the primary mode of learning will be through “play” and class discussion, students will also be reading and discussing current literature in the field of critical game design, presenting original analyses on a game of their choice, and practicing game design skills in a workshop setting. Ultimately students will leave this course with a broad understanding of the field of game design, critical analysis skills, as well as a game design document and prototype of an original game.