Evolution of Game Design: 2010 to present from edX

Let's delve into the consoles of the eighth and ninth generations and explore the advancements in computer gaming and related technologies with this online course from 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.

Join us as we witness the decline of physical game media in favor of digital downloads, embrace the emerging virtual reality (VR) gaming sector, and recognize the rise of esports as a major commercial enterprise.

With this online course, you will discover the significance of independent video games in gaming history and their relevance to the industry's evolution.

You will also explore the evolution of handheld, mobile, and social media games, along with the transformative impact of micro consoles on the gaming landscape.

Finally, you will uncover the resurgence of experimentation with mixed and virtual reality technology, immersing yourself in the future of gaming.

After all, what could be better than playing a video game—other than living inside one?

Topics covered include:

The end of generations
Independent games
Mobile games, social games, microconsoles and mixed reality

What's inside

Learning objectives

Explore the groundbreaking advances in computer gaming and related technologies and witness their profound impact on the industry.
Discover the defining features and blockbuster game releases of the eighth- and ninth-generation consoles, immersing yourself in the latest gaming experiences.
Uncover the pivotal role of independent games in shaping video game history and grasp their enduring significance to the industry's evolution.

Dive into the transformative evolution of gaming on mobile devices and social media and seize the opportunity to understand how microconsoles have revolutionized the gaming landscape.
Embrace the future of gaming by delving into the development of mixed reality technologies and envision how they might revolutionize the way we play and experience games.

Explore the groundbreaking advances in computer gaming and related technologies and witness their profound impact on the industry.
Discover the defining features and blockbuster game releases of the eighth- and ninth-generation consoles, immersing yourself in the latest gaming experiences.
Uncover the pivotal role of independent games in shaping video game history and grasp their enduring significance to the industry's evolution.
Dive into the transformative evolution of gaming on mobile devices and social media and seize the opportunity to understand how microconsoles have revolutionized the gaming landscape.
Embrace the future of gaming by delving into the development of mixed reality technologies and envision how they might revolutionize the way we play and experience games.

Syllabus

Module 1: The end of generations

Tech trends in the 2010s

True high definition and the eighth generation

The ninth generation and the end of physical media

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by LaSalle College, ranked #1 in Canada for video game design by the Princeton Review 10 years in a row

Delves into the consoles of the eighth and ninth generations, exploring advancements in computer gaming and related technologies

Examines the end of physical game media and the rise of digital downloads

Covers the emergence of virtual reality (VR) gaming

Highlights the significance of independent video games in gaming history and their relevance to the industry's evolution

Involves a study of the evolution of handheld, mobile, and social media games

Reviews summary

Evolution of game industry trends

According to students, this course offers a fascinating deep dive into game industry evolution from 2010 to the present, providing a solid foundation in recent trends. Learners particularly praise the engaging lectures and passionate instructor, highlighting relevant insights into indie games, the shift to digital media, and the rise of VR gaming and esports. While many find it a comprehensive overview, some professional learners note the content can be surface-level coverage, desiring more technical depth or actionable game design principles, suggesting potential misaligned expectations given the course title. It is generally recommended for those interested in the history and industry trends rather than practical design.

Instructor's passion and expertise enhance learning.

"The instructor brought a lot of passion and expertise."

"The lectures were engaging and easy to follow."

"The instructor's passion shines through, making the complex topics digestible."

"The instructor was engaging and clearly passionate."

Provides a deep and fascinating historical perspective.

"Absolutely fascinating deep dive into game design evolution! ... gave me a fantastic historical context for current trends."

"This course exceeded my expectations. The historical perspective on game design from 2010 onwards is very unique."

"An excellent course for understanding the last decade of game design. The insights into mobile gaming and social media's impact were particularly eye-opening."

"I gained a solid foundation for understanding the industry's recent past, from consoles to indie scenes and VR."

Some older videos, though information remains current.

"Some of the videos seemed a little dated in terms of production quality. The information itself was still relevant though."

Course focuses on history, not practical design principles.

"This course barely scratches the surface of actual game design. It's more of a history lesson. I was looking for actionable design principles..."

"As a professional game designer, I already knew most concepts; it's better suited for beginners."

Offers a wide overview, but some topics lack detail.

"I found some sections a bit surface-level, particularly the 'end of generations' module. I was hoping for more technical depth..."

"It felt a bit too generalized for me... it lacked the advanced insights I was seeking."

"My main criticism would be the lack of depth in certain areas; it often felt like a high-level overview."

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 Evolution of Game Design: 2010 to present with these activities:

Create a Resource Collection on Esports

Show steps

Gather and organize materials on esports history, teams, and tournaments to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Show steps

Collect articles, videos, and other resources on esports.
Organize the resources into a coherent and accessible format (e.g., a website, a wiki, or a shared document).

Attend a Game Developer Conference

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Immerse yourself in the latest trends and innovations in the gaming industry by attending a game developer conference.

Show steps

Research and identify relevant game developer conferences.
Register for a conference and purchase tickets.
Attend conference sessions, workshops, and networking events.

Write a Blog Post on VR Technology

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Compose a blog post to share your insights on the potential and challenges of virtual reality technology in gaming.

Browse courses on Mixed Reality

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Research the latest trends and developments in VR technology.
Identify the key benefits and drawbacks of VR gaming.
Share your personal experiences and thoughts on VR gaming.

One other activity

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Follow Tutorials on Mixed Reality Development

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Enhance your understanding of mixed reality development by following online tutorials and experimenting with different tools and techniques.

Browse courses on Mixed Reality

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Identify and enroll in reputable online courses or tutorials on mixed reality development.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and complete the hands-on exercises.
Experiment with different mixed reality frameworks and tools.

Career center

Learners who complete Evolution of Game Design: 2010 to present will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Evolution of Game Design

2010 to present

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Evolution of game industry trends

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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