Keele Badge

GAM-10009 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

GAM-10009 - Introduction to Game Design
Coordinator: Miroslav Spasov Room: CKF06 Tel: +44 1782 7 33298
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2026/27

Immerse yourself in the world of game design from the basics of board or card games to the latest digital developments. This module covers the essentials of analogue games, game engines and the software crucial to game design, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application, enhancing your critical thinking and practical skills. You will delve into game theory, player behaviour and cognition, and game mechanics. The sessions will culminate in a final project, showcasing your ability to create engaging and innovative games.

Aims
To introduce students to the basic principles of game design.
To help students acquire knowledge on theory of game design and acquire practical skills in using the essential software in games design.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe and discuss key game design theories, concepts, and creative practices within the field of game design.: 1,3
Apply principles of game design workflow to the production of a game.: 1,2
Solve technical and creative games design problems using game engines: 2
Analyse technical and usability issues associated with games design and development.: 2
Present and communicate their creative and technical work.: 2

Study hours

48 hours lectures and tutorials 24 x 1-hour interactive lecture; 24 x 1-hour workshop/tutorial)
72 hours of preparation for workshops and tutorials
40 hours of assigned reading
40 hours of tasks-based technology work
100 hours of preparation for the summative assessments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 40%
Analogue game and design portfolio
Design and prototype of an analogue game. The submission is a design document presenting the concept, mechanics, and dynamics with prototype.

2: Project weighted 40%
Digital game prototype
A digital prototype developed in a games engine that develops the student's analogue game design from assessment 1, implementing core game systems. The prototype is accompanied by a brief reflective commentary (approximately 1000 words) analysing the technical and usability issues encountered and the scoping decisions made.

3: Essay weighted 20%
Short essay
Students will be required to write a short essay (1000 words) in which they will demonstrate understanding of game design theory and creative practice in the field of game design discussed in class.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026