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There are 4 modules in this course
In this course, you will examine how storytelling acts as a vital mechanism for driving video gameplay forward. Looking at several historical and contemporary games, you will be asked to evaluate and interpret different story styles with the goal of identifying themes and procedures for your own game ideas. We'll examine traditional narrative story processes, such as three-act structure, and how they fit into game story flows and the strategic elements of gameplay. Ultimately, you will learn how to define character, setting, and structure to create a compelling game concept.
For the first week of the class, we will be analyzing the components of three-act structure using a classic fairytale as an example. We'll examine the characters in the story by figuring out their goals and the main conflict that creates a rising arc of action to keep the audience interested.
In this week, we will draw a parallel between last week’s discussion on rising action and how that relates to gameplay. Looking at a pair of contemporary games, we'll learn how to identify story structure and themes of rising action, just like we would with traditional stories and movies. Lastly, we’ll evaluate the role that primary and secondary characters come to play in the unveiling of a game’s story and discuss the importance of understanding how these games present their stories in the actual gameplay.
What's included
4 videos12 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 21 minutes
Writing Your Own Story Synopsis•5 minutes
Defining Characters and Character Goals•8 minutes
Using Secondary Characters•3 minutes
Writing a Character Brief•5 minutes
12 readings•Total 87 minutes
Story Synopsis: StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty•8 minutes
Story Synopsis Points•8 minutes
Story Synopsis: Angry Birds•8 minutes
About Character Briefs•8 minutes
Character Brief: Jim Raynor•8 minutes
Character Brief: Emperor Mengsk•5 minutes
Character Brief: Tychus Findlay•5 minutes
About Setting Descriptions•8 minutes
Setting Description: Angry Birds•8 minutes
Setting Description: Mar Sara•8 minutes
Setting Description: The Hyperion•8 minutes
Setting Description: Char•5 minutes
1 peer review•Total 90 minutes
Character Studies•90 minutes
Week 3: Story Workshop
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
This week, we explore ideation techniques and learn how to consolidate our ideas into more formalized stories specifically for pushing them towards a game design. We will take a look at the importance of, and ways to refine, characters and settings as we develop an initial concept in story form first, and then next week, into a game.
What's included
4 videos8 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 25 minutes
Story Ideation Techniques•8 minutes
Personal Writing Advice•5 minutes
Refining the Spine•6 minutes
Connecting Ideas and Characters•6 minutes
8 readings•Total 63 minutes
About Idea Sheets•8 minutes
Idea Sheet: Dead-Eye Jane•8 minutes
Idea Sheet: Settings for The Shooter•8 minutes
Review: Story Synopses•8 minutes
Story Synopsis: The Shooter•10 minutes
Review: Character Briefs•5 minutes
Character Brief: Jake•8 minutes
Character Brief: Dead-Eye Jane•8 minutes
1 peer review•Total 90 minutes
Rewriting “The Shooter”•90 minutes
Week 4: From Story to Game
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
For this last week of class, we will begin by seeing what a game design document is, and evaluate a few different templates you can use. Then, we will take the story we built in last week’s course, The Shooter, and define it as a playable game outlined in a game design document.
What's included
5 videos6 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 25 minutes
Introduction to a Game Design Document•5 minutes
Diving Deeper into the Design Document•4 minutes
Turning The Shooter's Story into a Game•5 minutes
The Shooter's Rising Gameplay•8 minutes
Course Wrap Up•2 minutes
6 readings•Total 44 minutes
About Story Presentation Schemes•8 minutes
Presentation Scheme: Part One - StarCraft II Gameplay Overview•8 minutes
Presentation Scheme: Part Two - StarCraft II Missions•10 minutes
What is a Gameplay Flowchart?•8 minutes
Gameplay Flowchart: StarCraft II•5 minutes
Course Credits•5 minutes
1 peer review•Total 90 minutes
Finalizing “The Shooter”•90 minutes
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Instructor
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Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
CalArts has earned an international reputation as the leading college of the visual and performing arts in the United States. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions.
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Learner reviews
4.7
1,278 reviews
5 stars
78.79%
4 stars
15.96%
3 stars
3.52%
2 stars
1.17%
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0.54%
Showing 3 of 1278
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PK
5·
Reviewed on Mar 7, 2021
It is an interesting course for someone who loves writing as there is a lot to write, If you like creative writing or storytelling you should for sure do this course.
R
RB
5·
Reviewed on Feb 23, 2016
I am glad that I have chosen to sign up to this course. It has open up my vision to a whole new world. Thanks so very much. The professor is engaging and the course content is fascinating.
D
DA
5·
Reviewed on Nov 6, 2017
This is so helpful. It covers all the essentials of developing a good story, applicable in any form of media, then it focuses on converting the story to a game by adding interactive gameplay elements.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.