The document outlines the activities for the first class of a game design course. It includes: 1) student introductions through interviewing partners, 2) reviewing the syllabus and course website, 3) setting up required online accounts, 4) emailing the instructor with requested information, 5) discussing student motivations for game design, and 6) assigning homework of reading chapters and an article. The goal is to get to know each other, understand course expectations, and begin discussions around game design.

2. TODAY
1. Introductions
2. Syllabus/discussion of activities
3. Setting up our various accounts
4. Email Dr. Phill
5. Discussion: why make games?
6. Homework

3. Our first activity is for you to do introductions. What I
want you to do is this: team up with someone you
don’t already know. You will interview this student and
introduce him or her to the rest of the class.
You must learn the following:
1. The person’s name and what he/she goes by
2. The person’s major
3. The person’s favorite game
4. Why is he/she taking this class?

4. Syllabus
Now let’s take a look at the course website and
syllabus. You can access it through Niihka (on the
syllabus tab) or directly at
http://www.phillalexander.com/445

6. One of the keys of getting everything done for class is
going to be having accounts on the various respective
sites. I’m going to walk you through setting up your
accounts now. If you already have accounts at these
respective places, just watch and relax as we get
everyone going.
Alt-tab time!

7. Email Dr. Phill
I want to get a few basic things from all of you just to
get us started. So you need to send me an email with
the following to alexanp3 (at miamioh dot edu):
1) your Tumblr URL
2) Your Twitter handle (if you want me to follow you)
3) Your major/what you’d like to learn from class
4) What kind of computer you own/have access to
5) What game consoles you have access to
6) The one thing you feel you MUST learn in this
class.

8. With our remaining time, I’d just like us to talk a little
and get to know a little bit about how each of you view
games and design.
So… why do YOU want to learn to design games? What
do see as the value of games and gaming? What drew
you here today?

9. Homework
For next class, you need to read over the course
expectations and assignments. You also need to
read:
Chapter 1 and 2 in Schell.
The article “Ludology meets Narratology” by Gonzolo
Frasca (linked from schedule)
And you can think about doing your play assignment
for the week.

10. Homework
For next class, you need to read over the course
expectations and assignments. You also need to
read:
Chapter 1 and 2 in Schell.
The article “Ludology meets Narratology” by Gonzolo
Frasca (linked from schedule)
And you can think about doing your play assignment
for the week.