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Gaming: Industry & Culture (BCI 2) - TFT00041I

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Nick Jones
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module ask you to reflect upon the place of interactive media in today’s world, Gaming: Industry and Culture will introduce you to key video game theories, concepts and debates. Each week we will explore a different aspect of gaming, from the use of rules and stories, to the treatment of space and the importance of platforms, to the varying uses to which video games and gaming can be put.  Across weekly lectures and seminars we will look at the relationship between theory and practice in video games and game development, and investigate the industrial structures, codes and conventions that shape the way games are made and played.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

  • Introduce key video game theory concepts and debates
  • Provide you with an understanding of production and consumption processes of video games
  • Explore the relationship between theory and practice in the context of game development
  • By the end of the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of video game industry structures, codes and conventions

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module you will:

  • Understand key video game theory concepts and debates
  • Analyse aspects of the game culture and industry and formulate corresponding arguments; e.g. critically engage with ideas of representation in games
  • Understand competing theoretical stances to analysing the video game artefact, production processes and the consumption of video games and critically think about game culture and how it affects society and the individual
  • Be able to explore the relationship between theory and practice in the context of game development and game culture

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay / industrial brief (3000 words)		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay / industrial brief (3000 words)		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive oral feedback during the seminar sessions.

Students will receive written feedback on coursework assignments using a proforma identifying key requirements and marks awarded for sections of the assignment. This will be available within 20 working days of submission, except in exceptional circumstances which will be communicated to the students.

Indicative reading

Newman, J, 2004, Videogames, Routledge.

Walz, S. P. & Deterding S., 2015, The Gameful World: Approaches, Issues, Applications, The MIT Press.

Salen, K., & Zimmerman, E., 2004, Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals, MIT Press.

Dovey, J. & Kennedy H. W., 2006, Game Cultures: Computer Games as New Media, Open University Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.