University of Tulsa - Computer Simulation & Gaming (CSG)

CSG 1003 Game Design Concepts

CSG 1003 Game Design Concepts | Fall 2025

COURSE DETAILS

🗓️ Days & Times:
CSG 1003-01: Mon & Wed | 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
CSG 1003-02: Tues & Thurs | 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

🏫 Location:
Graves Commons, 2nd Floor

💻 Learning Management System:
All course content will be provided through Harvey (LMS) https://harvey.utulsa.edu/

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Akram Taghavi-Burris
akram-burris@utulsa.edu | 918-631-3864 @ProfessorAkram (Discord)

🕔 Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday | 3:30 – 5:45 PM
Rayzor Hall 2125

📌 Book a Meeting:
Schedule a time to meet with Professor Akram

🌟Course Description: CSG 1003 Game Design Concepts

An introduction to the technical and creative aspects of game development. Core principles of game design, including gameplay, game mechanics, game interface, the player-centric approach, and the game development process. Students learn to develop games utilizing industry-standard software.

QUAD III: This course fulfills the Quad III social science requirement.

🎯️ Course Goals (Objectives)

  1. Analyze complex problems and apply computing principles to identify solutions
    1. Apply critical and design thinking to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate complex information, developing innovative solutions to computing problems.
    2. Analyze how historical and cultural factors influence digital media works.
    3. Evaluate the evolution of stylistic trends in technology and design.
    4. Analyze current methodologies in creative digital industries.
  2. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments based on legal and ethical principles
    1. Recognize ethical dilemmas and determine appropriate responses.
    2. Evaluate how social, cultural, and ethical factors influence the creation and use of technologies.
    3. Analyze and apply principles related to quantitative, scientific, cultural, and ethical issues.
    4. Recognize roles and career opportunities within the industry.
    5. Manage and complete projects adhering to professional standards.
    6. Evaluate the environmental, societal, and individual impact of interactive systems (i.e. computer solutions).
  3. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
    • Apply knowledge and skills to identify and address real-world problems in local or global communities.
    • Communicate and coordinate ideas effectively within a team, demonstrating proficiency across specializations.
  4. Apply game design principles and technical skills to create interactive digital experiences that are functional, engaging, and optimized, demonstrating proficiency in design, production, and execution across media such as games, simulations, and XR.
    1. Apply knowledge from science, humanities, and arts through research to enhance creative practices.
    2. Utilize interdisciplinary knowledge from the creative arts and humanities to design engaging experiences that reflect social, cultural, and historical contexts.
    3. Critique and evaluate design solutions through discussions and reviews.
    4. Apply design thinking principles.
    5. Prototype and test concepts iteratively.
    6. Recognize and apply fundamental design elements (e.g. principles, game development, animation).
    7. Acquire fluency in major discourses (e.g. game design, animation, 3D modeling).

Course Requirements

📖 Required Reading: available in LMS through links or pdf

💻 Applications: Free online tools (e.g., Twine, gDevelop)

👤 Online Accounts: Discord, Itch.io

✅ See student hardware recommendations for more.

💯 Grading Policy

  • All assignments must be turned in by the due date and time.
  • Late Submissions WILL NOT BE GRADED and will result in a zero
  • All exams must be taken at the scheduled date and time.
  • There are NO MAKEUP EXAMS
  • To earn an ‘A’, students must earn at least 90% of the total points.

⭐ Course Points – 1000 pts

Course SkillsPointsPercentages
🪄 Creativity & Craftsmanship25025%
🎓 Scholarly Insights30030%
🔮 Wisdom and Intellect25025%
🤝 Reputation20020%

📂 Course Modules

Modules
Foundations of Game Design
Applied Design Thinking
Game Mechanics and Challenge
Player Engagement
Gameplay Dynamics and Systems
Technology and Immersion
Game Production
Games and Society

📝 Course content is organized into individual modules, each representing a lesson unit or a series of related topics. Modules are not tied to a weekly schedule and may take more or less than a week to complete

📆 IMPORTANT DATES

  • Week 05: Game Design Challenge 01
  • Week 08: Game Design Challenge 02
  • Week 11: Game Design Challenge 03
  • Week 14: Game Design Challenge 04
  • Week 15: Reading Render Days**
  • Week 16: Final Exam

** Reading “Render” days are reserved for rendering, compiling and/or building the final project.

❗Syllabus Disclaimer: As with most technology courses this course is in a state of constant update in order to keep up with the ever-changing technology and advancements in the field. This syllabus is not a contract, but a plan for action. The instructor reserves the right to alter its stipulations, upon prior notification to students, if and when educational and technological circumstances warrant changes.

⚡Additional Resources

⚠️ Polices & Resources:
See Course Policies for more information on grading, program requirements, and university polices. For academic support, refer to Student Resources.

💬 Connect & Collaborate:
Join the CSG Majors Discord server to stay connected, collaborate, and inquire with fellow students and faculty.

🙌 Join a Student Org
Students are encouraged to join our IGDA student chapter and other program-related student organizations.

🔗This syllabus is located online at: https://sites.utulsa.edu/csg/csg-courses/csg-1003-game-design-concepts/