Introduction to Psychological Aspects of Game Design from edX

This introductory course is based on the Game Design & VFX School at LaSalle College’s Vancouver campus, crowned the #1 undergraduate school in Canada for video game design by the Princeton Review 10 years in a row.

Are you ready to take the first step from gamer to game designer? Then this course is for you!

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of game development and design theory, and explores how these concepts affect the ways we design and interact with games.

What are games? What are their structures and rule systems? What are their mechanics and dynamics? How does behavioral psychology impact game design? This course answers all these questions and many more!

This course explores the tenets of game design, core game structure, the components of a game, and the different areas of specialization within game design. We look at theoretical design frameworks as conceptual models for approaching design and the fundamental concepts in game psychology, motivation and game experience. The course describes the models that explain the various player types and play styles (what types of people play games, and what motivates and interests them).

Finally, you will learn about core game mechanics and challenge dynamics, and how your designs can be improved by thinking about them from a psychological, player-centric perspective.

Throughout this course, we use classic video game examples such as Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Solitaire to see what they can teach us about games and game design.

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What you'll learn

Understand fundamental elements of game design.
Explore how game mechanics, core game loops and gameplay dynamics work together.
Leverage theoretical design frameworks, target audience information, and game psychology to aid the game design process and help to create engagement and flow.
Apply behavioural psychology, human impulses, player models and play styles to game design and to player engagement.
Learn from game designers to take advantage of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to design enjoyable games by using a variety of game mechanics and challenge dynamics.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to games

Fundamentals of design

Game design fundamentals

Basic game structure and terminology

Module 2: Game design frameworks

Theoretical design framework

Target audiences and game psychology

Closer look: Pac-Man

Module 3: Behavioral game psychology and play styles

Introductory behavioural psychology

Human impulses

Player models and play styles

Closer look: Space Invaders

Module 4: Psychology of game mechanics and dynamics

Goals and conditions

Rewards and punishments

Challenges

Closer look: Solitaire

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a theoretical foundation in game design and theory

Taught by highly respected instructors in the field of game design

Suitable for complete beginners, providing a comprehensive overview of game design fundamentals

Uses familiar examples such as Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Solitaire to illustrate concepts

Emphasizes player psychology and motivation, fostering a user-centered approach to game design

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Psychological Aspects of Game Design with these activities:

Review the basic principles of gameplay

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Reviewing the fundamental elements of game design will consolidate your prior knowledge and set a strong foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Game Design

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Read the course syllabus and review the unit overviews.
Recall concepts such as gameplay loops and the components of a game.

Read 'The Art of Game Design' by Jesse Schell

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Reading this book will give you a comprehensive overview of game design principles, essential for a foundation in this field.

View The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
Reflect on the principles discussed and how they apply to your own game design aspirations.

Reach out to professionals in the game design industry

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Connecting with experienced game designers can provide you with valuable guidance, insights, and potential job opportunities.

Browse courses on Mentorship

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Identify professionals on LinkedIn or other networking platforms.
Prepare a concise message introducing yourself and expressing your interest in connecting.

Three other activities

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Form a study group with your classmates

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Engaging with peers through a study group can foster collaborative learning and enhance your understanding of the course material.

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Connect with classmates and form a study group of 3-5 people.
Meet regularly to discuss course topics, share insights, and work on assignments together.

Practice designing levels for a specific game genre

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Engaging in practical exercises will allow you to apply the theoretical concepts learned in the course and enhance your game design skills.

Browse courses on Level Design

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Choose a particular game genre (e.g., platformer, shooter, puzzle).
Design multiple levels within the chosen genre, considering factors such as difficulty curve and player engagement.

Create a blog post or article sharing your insights on game psychology

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Writing a blog post or article on game psychology will help you synthesize and communicate your understanding of this important aspect of game design.

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Research and gather information on game psychology.
Organize your thoughts and ideas into a coherent outline.
Write your blog post or article, ensuring clear and engaging content.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Psychological Aspects of Game Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

Game Designers are responsible for the creation and design of video games. This course provides a foundation in the basic concepts of game development and design theory, which can be helpful for aspiring Game Designers. The course explores how these concepts affect the ways we design and interact with games, and covers topics such as game structures, rule systems, mechanics, and dynamics. This knowledge can help Game Designers create more engaging and enjoyable games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Game Developer

Game Developers are responsible for the development and implementation of video games. This course provides a foundation in the basic concepts of game development and design theory, which can be helpful for aspiring Game Developers. The course explores how these concepts affect the ways we design and interact with games, and covers topics such as game structures, rule systems, mechanics, and dynamics. This knowledge can help Game Developers create more engaging and enjoyable games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Game Programmer

Game Programmers are responsible for the programming and coding of video games. This course provides a foundation in the basic concepts of game development and design theory, which can be helpful for aspiring Game Programmers. The course explores how these concepts affect the ways we design and interact with games, and covers topics such as game structures, rule systems, mechanics, and dynamics. This knowledge can help Game Programmers create more engaging and enjoyable games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Programmer

Game Artist

Game Artists are responsible for the creation of the visual assets for video games. This course provides a foundation in the basic concepts of game development and design theory, which can be helpful for aspiring Game Artists. The course explores how these concepts affect the ways we design and interact with games, and covers topics such as game structures, rule systems, mechanics, and dynamics. This knowledge can help Game Artists create more engaging and enjoyable games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Game Producer

Game Producers are responsible for the management and production of video games. This course provides a foundation in the basic concepts of game development and design theory, which can be helpful for aspiring Game Producers. The course explores how these concepts affect the ways we design and interact with games, and covers topics such as game structures, rule systems, mechanics, and dynamics. This knowledge can help Game Producers create more engaging and enjoyable games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Producer

Game Tester

Game Testers are responsible for testing and evaluating video games. This course provides a foundation in the basic concepts of game development and design theory, which can be helpful for aspiring Game Testers. The course explores how these concepts affect the ways we design and interact with games, and covers topics such as game structures, rule systems, mechanics, and dynamics. This knowledge can help Game Testers identify and report bugs and issues in video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Tester