Computer game narrative

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

Based on research literature and analysis of 3-4 selected games, the course will introduce the main conventions and techniques of video game storytelling, and discuss the relation between interaction design and narrative in key genres. Teaching and literature will give particular attention to the role of genre conventions in narrative design, the relation between film stories and game stories, and the relation between players and avatars. Students will write and present analyses of games, and develop their own narrative game design concept.

Learning Outcomes

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • Has knowledge about research on video game narrative and narrative video game design.
  • Has knowledge about the relationship between interaction design, genre conventions and narrative.

Skills

The student

  • Can draw on research literature to analyse and discuss the relationship between game design and narrative.
  • Can develop a concept document describing the main elements of a narrative video game design.

General competence

The student

  • Can develop a media design concept.
  • Can collaborate on group projects.
  • Can present media design research, analysis and concept development.
  • Can write an academic essay analysing and discussing central issues in media design.

ECTS Credits

15 ECTS 

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Spring
Required Previous Knowledge
Bachelor's degree in media and interaction design, media studies or equivalent.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
MEVI310-9 (10 ECTS)
Access to the Course
Master's degree Media- and Interactiondesign.
Teaching and learning methods
The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. Lectures will be centered around a close study of 3-4 games selected for the course. Students will work on game analysis and concept development through group assignments and presentations in class. 
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
  • Compulsory attendance in lectures and seminars: 80%
  • Short game analysis essay (group assignment, 15000 words) with presentation in class
  • Presentation in class of a narrative game design concept (group assignment)

The compulsory requirements must be approved before the student can take the exam. Approved compulsory requirements are only valid in the teaching semester.

Forms of Assessment

The assessment comprises of two parts:

  • Individual 4-day take-home exam (5000 words). Counts 60% of the total grade.
  • Game design concept (group assignment). Counts 40% of the total grade.

Grades for each part of assessment and the final grade will be published in Studentweb.

The exam paper will be given in the language of instruction for the course. The exam answer can be submitted in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading Scale
A-F
Assessment Semester

Assessment in teaching semester.

Students with valid absence as defined in the UiB regulations § 5-5 can apply for an extended submission deadline to eksamen.infomedia@uib.no. The application must be submitted before the deadline for submission has expired.