Class Calendar
Term Overview
All lecture slides and submmission links can be found on eDimension. All lab materials and supplementary articles can be found on this website.
| Week | Monday | Focus / Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 Sep | Introduction, core mechanics, formal elements, game design process, group formation |
| 2 | 21 Sep | Game genres, design principles, octalysis |
| 3 | 28 Sep | NO CLASS |
| 4 | 5 Oct | Rules of play, game balance |
| 5 | 12 Oct | UI/UX, level design, homework due |
| 6 | 19 Oct | Game polish |
| 7 | 26 Oct | Recess Week, , GDD due (Checkpoint 1) |
| 8 | 2 Nov | Draft GDD feedback, Midterm Examination |
| 9 | 9 Nov | Checkpoint 2 |
| 10 | 16 Nov | Checkpoint 3 |
| 11 | 23 Nov | Project work and consultations |
| 12 | 30 Nov | Checkpoint 4 |
| 13 | 7 Dec | Final presentation, final GDD |
| 14 | 14 Dec | Peer review due |
Week 1
Monday, 14 September 2026
Happenings
Form your Game Project group on eDimension by Monday, 21 September 2026, 23:59.
- 4–6 students per group
- Fewer than 4 students is not recommended
- If you do not form a group, your group assignment will be randomised
- Groups with fewer than 6 students may be assigned additional members
Form your Lab group on eDimension by Monday, 21 September 2026, 23:59.
- Maximum 2 students per group
- Pair work is optional
- If you are completing the labs individually, still enrol in a group containing only yourself. Otherwise, you will not be able to submit the assignment on eDimension.
Lessons
| Session | Topics / Materials |
|---|---|
| Lecture 1 | Introduction: course administration, background, and past-year samples. Brief History of Video Games: video game consoles and popular video games from 1972 to today. macOS game sample · Windows game sample |
| Lecture 2 | Core Game Mechanics: reflex, timing, precision and accuracy, management, strategy, measurement, tactical choice, puzzle, exploration, and social interaction. Formal Elements: the fundamental building blocks and structural components that define how a game is set up and played. |
| Lab | Game Design Process & Best Practices: GDD, ideation, prototyping, iteration, and playtesting, Unity for Newborns |
Week 2
Monday, 21 September 2026
Happenings
Finalise your Lab pair-work group on eDimension by Monday, 21 September 2026, 23:59.
Homework released and discussed in class. Download handout from eDimension.
Week 1 Lab checkoff is due Thursday, 09:00. See eDimension for submission details.
Lessons
| Session | Topics / Materials |
|---|---|
| Lecture 1 | Game Genres: how combinations of core mechanics give rise to game genres and subgenres. |
| Lecture 2 | General Principles of Game Design: player empathy, feedback, grounding the player, moment-to-moment experience, removing impediments, structure, and progression. |
| Lecture 3 | Octalysis: a gamification framework based on eight core drives: Epic Meaning & Calling, Development & Accomplishment, Empowerment of Creativity & Feedback, Ownership & Possession, Social Influence & Relatedness, Scarcity & Impatience, Unpredictability & Curiosity, and Loss & Avoidance. This is done during lab time. |
| Lab | Week 1 Lab Presentation: 15-30 minutes. Unity for Babies · Unity for Toddlers · Lab 1 Review |
Class Activity
Core Mechanics, Formal Elements, and Principles of Game Design
- Project group must be formed by this point
- Brainstorm
- Presentation
Week 3
Monday, 28 September 2026
Happenings
Week 2 Lab checkoff is due Thursday, 09:00.
Lessons
There's no in-person lessons this week.
Week 4
Monday, 5 October 2026
Happenings
Week 3 Lab checkoff is due Thursday, 09:00.
Lessons
| Session | Topics / Materials |
|---|---|
| Lecture 1 | Rules of Play: characteristics of game rules, three levels of rules, player types, and breaking the rules. |
| Lecture 2 | Game Balance: balancing games by encouraging player agency and creating asymmetry while maintaining fair play. |
| Lab | Week 2 and 3 Lab Presentation: 30 minutes. Unity for Children · Lab 2 Review · Lab 3 Review |
Week 5
Monday, 12 October 2026
Happenings
Week 4 Lab checkoff is due Thursday, 09:00.
Individual Homework due: Monday, 12 October 2026, 23:59
- Submit a PDF
- Submit via eDimension
Lessons
| Session | Topics / Materials |
|---|---|
| Lecture 1 | Level Design: state of flow, core principles of level design, and various mechanisms used in level design. |
| Lecture 2 | Video Game UI Design: UI versus UX, non-diegetic, diegetic, meta, and spatial UI. |
| Lab | Week 4 Lab Presentation: 30 minutes. Sample GDD discussion. Unity for Teens · Lab 4 Review |
Week 6
Monday, 19 October 2026
Happenings
Nothing is due this week.
Lessons
| Session | Topics / Materials |
|---|---|
| Lecture 1 | Game Polish: juice, feedback, smoothing rough edges, aesthetic finish, and live demonstration. |
| Lecture 2 | Reserved Slot: to cover leftover materials that cannot otherwise be covered on time. |
| Lab | Exam review + GDD tips |
Week 7
Monday, 26 October 2026
Happenings
Week 5 Lab checkoff is due Sunday, 23:59.
Recess Week
No regular classes.
Game Project Checkpoint 1: Draft GDD
Due: Thursday, 29 October 2026, 23:59
- It is due on Thursday, not Sunday. This give instructor some time before giving feedback the following Mon/Tue
- Use the GDD template and make your own copy
- Export your GDD as a PDF
- Rubric
- Submit via eDimension
Week 8
Monday, 2 November 2026
We have Exam this week and also Lab 5 Presentation at the end of Part A exam on Thursday.
The slides for Lab 5 Presentation is not included as part of possible "problems" that might come out in exam. The case studies pertaining Lab 5 that might appear in exam can all be found on the lab handout instead.
Draft GDD Feedback
- Make a submission entry on eDimension so that your team can be graded
- Rubric
Checkoff Schedule TBC
Midterm Examination
Part A: Concepts · 15%
Thursday, 5 November 2026, 0900-1030 AM
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Start time | TBC |
| Venue | Our classroom |
| Seating | Free seating |
| Attendance | Compulsory |
| Coverage | Week 1–6 materials (theory and Unity) |
| Format | Paper-based, closed-book, no cheatsheet |
| What to bring | Pen |
Part B: Game Jam · 15%
Due: Sunday, 8 November 2026, 23:59
- Handout and answer template released Thursday, 5 Nov 2026 after Part A ends on eDimension
- Select a theme and create a game based on that theme
- Starter assets are provided, but you may use your own assets
- Rubric will be released on the day
- Individual work
- A secondary requirement will be released on Saturday, 7 November at 12:00
- Complete a concise README outlining your game
- Post questions on Game Dev Whatsapp group so everyone can see the question
- No private communication with instructors or TAs regarding the examination
- Submission link will be available on eDimension
Week 9
Monday, 9 November 2026
Game Project Checkpoint 2
- Make a submission entry on eDimension so that your team can be graded
- Rubric
Checkoff Schedule TBC
Week 10
Monday, 16 November 2026
Game Project Checkpoint 3
- Make a submission entry on eDimension so that your team can be graded
- Rubric
Checkoff Schedule TBC
Week 11
Monday, 23 November 2026
Happenings
**Project time. Consultations are available upon request. There's no in-person classes. **
Week 12
Monday, 30 November 2026
Game Project Checkpoint 4
- Make a submission entry on eDimension so that your team can be graded
- Rubric
Checkoff Schedule TBC
Week 13
Monday, 7 December 2026
Final Game Project Presentation & Final GDD
Due: Thursday, 10 December 2026, 09:00
| Presentation | TBC |
| Venue | Regular cohort classroom |
| Food | Provided at TBC |
Code Submission Procedure TBC
eDimension Submission
Submit:
- PDF of your final GDD
- Link to your public repo
- Your game executable
- Recorded gameplay video, uploaded directly or provided through a downloadable link
- Do not submit a YouTube link
Week 14
Monday, 14 December 2026
Happenings
Peer Review, open after the final submission and due Monday of Week 14, 23:59