Video games have made being a "gamer" a viable way of living and playing in the world. But games have been with us long before video game culture became what it is today. In Game Design we will learn about how games function within our society. We will do this by playing, reading, and (most importantly) by making our own functioning games.
There are three sections to this class.

We will focus on learning Processing, and eventually integrate the arduino. Processing is a Java based environment - and while it's quite robust, it's also designed for the beginner programmer. No previous programming knowledge is necessary, although a willingness to learn is a must. At the end of this section each student will make their own modified version of a classic 2d game. How it's modified will be up to the individual - students will be encouraged to push the boundaries and think about how their project can act as both art and as a game. After each student has made a project, students will collaborate in small groups to incorporate an ardino into their games. Students will be encouraged to pursue the Processing and the Arduino further for the final project if they so desire.

We will examine web 2.0 and modern technological culture. Can we create games that use the "cloud" as our game space? We will examine ARGs (augmented reality games), websites like "I beat you" and flash mobs to examine how user created content can lead to interesting gaming opportunities. Students will be asked to each propose a game, then in small groups they will work on realizing one of the games together.

Each student will be asked to propose a game that they will complete for their final project. Students will do short presentations on their game. At this point students may work collaboratively in small groups to realize the game, or continue working on their own. Students will be expected to help one another by play testing and critiquing each other's projects.
The final game does not need to be confined to the computer, and students will be invited to bring skills they have learned in other areas to this project. For example, there will be no instruction in Flash during this course, but if a student who is comfortable with Flash wants to make a Flash game for their final project, that's fine. Students will also be encouraged to go back to Processing and the arduino if they would like to further explore that platform.

This class is not a 3D animation class. Modern 3D video games take huge amounts of time and resources. We will be focused on making short innovative games that actually work, not proposals for huge games that cannot be realized. You will not be able to leave this class and get a job working on Madden 2010, and believe me, that's a good thing.
This is an art class, and while there will be some programming, especially early on, your grade will not be dependent on your programming skills.

The class will be divided into lectures, tutorials, presentations, critiques, playtesting and in-class working time.
The class will have a open source aesthetic - we are going to help each other make the best games possible, just as an art class would help make the best art possible. Be prepared to receive and give criticism.

Teaching in a room with computers is like teaching philosophy in a room full of kittens. No matter how interesting the material, kittens are always going to win out. But please, I implore you, when I'm talking PAY ATTENTION. No matter how interesting the intertubes are at the moment, I can assure you that it will all still be there later. There's nothing worse than spending an hour doing a tutorial only to have to do it again because people were LOLing the first time through.
Besides, dude, this is a GAME class. I promise that we will spend hours and hours playing game and having fun.
Processing is huge, and there's always something new to learn. There's never a good reason to have nothing to do.

There will be some reading to do. This is not optional, but I will promise that the readings will be (reasonably) short, pertinent and entertaining. We will be having discussions based on the readings we do. The bookstore has copies of Homo Ludens by Johan Huizinga awaiting your purchase.

Students should already have a basic knowledge of HTML. Each student will be given server space that they can use for hosting their games and other homework. While this web space is obscure, it is public - if students prefer they can make their proposals and present their games offline. Also, your name will not be attached to this site unless you want it to be.

Create a game based on a traditional 2d game.
Help to integrate the arduino into a game.
Propose a "Web 2.0" game
Help your group realize a "Web 2.0" game.
Propose a final project
Help realize a final project (your own or as a team member)
The occasional weekly assignment that I throw at you
Attendance and participation.

Your programming skills will not guarantee you a good grade, nor will the lack of skills hurt you. If you are a good programmer, be prepared to help your fellow students!
This class will begin with basic tutorials, but will quickly evolve into a more self directed class. I will not be imposing many limitations on the final. This means I am expecting you to be self motivated artists.

At the end of the term we will have an open house, where the Berkeley community will be invited to come and play our games.

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