Understand some of the foundations of game design theory, and apply these concepts create short analog game prototypes.

Only 12 spots available.

Class Description

If you’re a novice interested in designing any sort of game, be it a AAA MMORPG, an interactive theatre piece in a loft in Brooklyn, or a tiny card game for use in a classroom, this class is designed for you. We will draw from a variety of sources to look at some of the fundamental theoretical underpinnings of game design, try out a few short titles, and spend the rest of the time conceptualising and prototyping and playtesting new analog games. Expect to leave the class with some new vocabulary, a different way of looking at games, and a fresh game you can develop further.

Featured Topics

• What a game comprises

• The MDA model of game design

• Uncertainty and its role in driving engagement

• Prototyping strategies

About the Instructor

Sharang Biswas is an award-winning and internationally-published game designer, arist, and writer based in Manhattan. He won the Dark Horse Award at IndieCade 2017 and the IGDN Indie Groundbreaker award for the “Most Innovative Game” in 2018. His interactive work has been exhibited in spaces such as the Institue of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, the Flow Gallery in St. Louis, the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, and the Denny Gallery in Manhattan. He has lectured about and taught game design at various institutions including NYU-Tisch, Dartmouth, and the University of Cincinnatti, has presented at numerous conferences, and has published writing in magazines such as Kill Screen, Ready Set Zam, and Sub-Q. You can find his work on his website, download some of his games in Itch, or follow him on Twitter.