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The Certificate Program provides a practice-oriented and academically sound examination of game design as a creative process, a versatile professional field, a future-oriented cultural technique and a universal problem-solving strategy. Special emphasis is placed on combining practical exercises with opportunities for critical reflection.

The Certificate Program can also be credited as a specialization within the Master's degree program "Game Studies MA (CE)".
Quotation Mark

"I’ve come to believe that people who know how to make games need to start focusing on the task of making real life better for as many people as possible."

Jane McGonigal: "Reality Is Broken. Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World. (2011), p.8

Next Info-Event

Please note that the information event is currently only being held in German.

Appointments

09.01.2025, 17:00 - 18:00,

online via Zoom

further information

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Karin Kirchmayer

Karin Kirchmayer

Administrative assistant

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The diversity of making games

"Game design" can resemble very different things: on the one hand, depending on whether game design is practiced as an employee of a large game development firm, as a teacher designing a game for their class, or as a group of friends creating a game together as a party activity.

On the other hand, individual topics, different objectives, and the available technical and budgetary possibilities also demand different approaches and solutions.

This diversity and flexibility of game design offers the opportunity to understand this area of practice not as a static field, but to explore it in all its possible forms and contexts, and to identify design strategies that enable productive and creative approaches to the always new.

In dealing with these topics, the main focus will be on the following perspectives:

  • Contexts of game design: Students explore game design amidst the interplay of theory, production conditions and socio-cultural influencing factors.
  • Game design practices: Students acquire the necessary skills to develop game ideas independently, and to realize their own game ideas in a resource-conscious way.
  • Individual perspectives: Students carry out an independent project in the field of "Game Design: Theories & Applications", related to their own current or aspired professional practice.

  • for working professionals

  • small class sizes

  • solution-oriented skills

"Game Design: Theories & Applications" is of interest to anyone who seeks to develop a thorough understanding of the conditions and practices of game design in a variety of contexts.

ECTS
Game Design: Theories & Applications

  • Contents

    The module locates the practice field of game design in the various contexts that determine it. These contexts include (1) theoretical discourses about designers, players, games as a medium as well as the possibility of approaching real-world problems from a game design perspective; (2) the areas of professional practice directly related to game design (the technological, artistic and financial-organizational area), as well as (3) the socio-cultural contexts of game (design) and the associated necessity of critical reflection on game design practices, including the positioning of game design between artistic demands and economic requirements, as well as the significance and possibilities of inclusive game design.

  • Contents

    The module explores how game design processes can be successfully and purposefully designed in accordance with the possibilities and resources available in a specific situation. The topics covered are (1) tools and strategies for developing game design ideas, (2) game-based storytelling, world-building and system design, as well as (3) requirements, strategies and tools of game design within limited resources. Practical exercises provide the starting point for critical reflection.

  • Contents

    The module consists of carrying out a research or practice project in the field of “Game Design: Theories & Applications”.

Distance learning formats for all our study programs (in English) are currently in preparation. The first distance learning programs are scheduled to start in fall 2025. Check back here if you are interested, or fill out our enquiry form (see below) so we can keep you up to date. In the meantime, you may want to explore our study program in German.

Please use our enquiry form to contact us, order information material or register for the mailing list with news from the Center for Applied Games Studies.

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Simon Wimmer

Simon Wimmer, BA MA

Research Associate - Center for Applied Game Studies

Nikolaus Koenig

Dr.
Nikolaus Koenig

Head - Center for Applied Game Studies

The Certificate Program "Game Design: Theories & Applications" can also be credited as a specialization within the Master's degree program "Game Studies MA (CE)".

Game Studies, MA (CE)

Sujet Game Studies

The master's degree program combines various academic perspectives on the broad thematic field of games & play and prepares students to work independently in game-related contexts. Elective specializations in the areas of education, technology, design, or culture & society enable students to shape their studies to suit their individual and/or professional interests and requirements and to develop their own practice-oriented and academically sound approaches.

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