Embark on a captivating journey through gaming history with this online course, tracing the evolution from ancient board games to modern board and arcade games.
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Embark on a captivating journey through gaming history with this online course, tracing the evolution from ancient board games to modern board and arcade games.
Embark on a captivating journey through gaming history with this online course, tracing the evolution from ancient board games to modern board and arcade games.
This course explores the captivating history of game design, examining the features and applications of the earliest video games, as well as the development of second-generation video game consoles from the 1970s and 1980s.
You will also discover how the American video game industry crash of 1983 paved the way for game developers and game companies around the world—particularly Nintendo and Sega from Japan—to dominate the video game market of the late 1980s and develop the third generation of consoles.
Topics covered include:
- Pre-electronic games
- Birth of an industry
- Explosion and crash
- Rebirth of an industry
This 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.
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Learning objectives
- Explore the evolution of games from prehistory to the creation of the personal computer.
- Discover the milestones that shaped first- and second-generation games.
- Revitalize your understanding of the video game industry's resurgence with the creation of third-generation consoles after its crash.
- Master the ability to distinguish between the design, features, and applications of video games developed from the 1970s to the late 1980s.
- Explore the evolution of games from prehistory to the creation of the personal computer.
- Discover the milestones that shaped first- and second-generation games.
- Revitalize your understanding of the video game industry's resurgence with the creation of third-generation consoles after its crash.
- Master the ability to distinguish between the design, features, and applications of video games developed from the 1970s to the late 1980s.
Syllabus
Module 1: Pre-electronic games
Ancient games
Commercialization
The dawn of computers
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Syllabus
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Activities
Create a timeline of video game history
Show steps
Creating a timeline will help you visualize and understand the major milestones in the evolution of video games.
Browse courses on
Video Game History
Show steps
-
Gather dates for key events
-
Choose a timeline format
-
Create the timeline
Read 'The History of Video Games' by Steven L. Kent
Show steps
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of video games, giving you a solid foundation for understanding the evolution of the field.
View
The Ultimate History of Video Games, Volume 2:...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the overview and introduction
-
Read each chapter focusing on one game era
-
Take notes on key people, companies, and events
Play classic video games
Show steps
Playing classic video games will give you a firsthand experience of the evolution of the industry.
Browse courses on
Video Game History
Show steps
-
Choose 5 classic games
-
Play the games
-
Identify the key features of each game
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Watch video tutorials on game development
Show steps
Watching video tutorials will help you learn new techniques and concepts that you can apply to your projects.
Browse courses on
Video Game Development
Show steps
-
Find video tutorials on topics relevant to your project
-
Watch the tutorials
-
Take notes on the key concepts
Join a study group
Show steps
Studying with a group will help you stay motivated and improve your understanding of the material.
Browse courses on
Collaboration
Show steps
-
Find a study group
-
Meet with the group regularly
-
Discuss the course material
-
Help each other with assignments
Attend a game design workshop
Show steps
Attending a workshop will give you the chance to learn from experts and get hands-on experience.
Browse courses on
Game Development
Show steps
-
Find a game design workshop
-
Register for the workshop
-
Attend the workshop
-
Follow up on the material
Design a video game
Show steps
Designing a video game will help you apply the concepts you learn in the course to a practical project.
Browse courses on
Video Game Design
Show steps
-
Come up with a game concept
-
Develop the game mechanics
-
Design the game levels
-
Create the game assets
Attend a game development conference
Show steps
Attending conferences will give you the chance to meet other people in the industry and learn from their experiences.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
-
Find a game development conference
-
Register for the conference
-
Attend the sessions
-
Meet with other people
Create a timeline of video game history
Show steps
Creating a timeline will help you visualize and understand the major milestones in the evolution of video games.
Browse courses on
Video Game History
Show steps
- Gather dates for key events
- Choose a timeline format
- Create the timeline
Read 'The History of Video Games' by Steven L. Kent
Show steps
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of video games, giving you a solid foundation for understanding the evolution of the field.
View
The Ultimate History of Video Games, Volume 2:...
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read the overview and introduction
- Read each chapter focusing on one game era
- Take notes on key people, companies, and events
Play classic video games
Show steps
Playing classic video games will give you a firsthand experience of the evolution of the industry.
Browse courses on
Video Game History
Show steps
- Choose 5 classic games
- Play the games
- Identify the key features of each game
Watch video tutorials on game development
Show steps
Watching video tutorials will help you learn new techniques and concepts that you can apply to your projects.
Browse courses on
Video Game Development
Show steps
- Find video tutorials on topics relevant to your project
- Watch the tutorials
- Take notes on the key concepts
Join a study group
Show steps
Studying with a group will help you stay motivated and improve your understanding of the material.
Browse courses on
Collaboration
Show steps
- Find a study group
- Meet with the group regularly
- Discuss the course material
- Help each other with assignments
Attend a game design workshop
Show steps
Attending a workshop will give you the chance to learn from experts and get hands-on experience.
Browse courses on
Game Development
Show steps
- Find a game design workshop
- Register for the workshop
- Attend the workshop
- Follow up on the material
Design a video game
Show steps
Designing a video game will help you apply the concepts you learn in the course to a practical project.
Browse courses on
Video Game Design
Show steps
- Come up with a game concept
- Develop the game mechanics
- Design the game levels
- Create the game assets
Attend a game development conference
Show steps
Attending conferences will give you the chance to meet other people in the industry and learn from their experiences.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
- Find a game development conference
- Register for the conference
- Attend the sessions
- Meet with other people
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