I’ve always loved games and have found real community through them, particularly board games and card games. But, I never called myself a “gamer.” That word felt like it belonged to people who’d dedicated years to video games, and I hadn’t. I just played analog games casually with my friends and family.
The most important thing this class has done for me is lower the barrier to entry of the gaming world. I found myself really enjoying narrative and puzzle games, and I found myself really looking forward to each week’s critical play, and regretting that I didn’t have the time to play each game to completion. I’m looking forward to expanding the types of games I play this summer, perhaps by getting more into action games or RPGs.
I also really appreciated how ethics were embedded in this course. I think many CS classes tack ethics on, and it doesn’t feel like a core part of the class. However, given the complexities and history behind gaming culture, I felt it was really important to discuss topics like feminism and accessibility. I also really appreciated learning more about gaming and design history. In particular, I truly appreciated that the teaching team was always excited to discuss these topics with us. It made the classroom environment feel welcoming and I felt more comfortable asking questions about these complex topics.
What challenged me the most during this class was the process of making a videogame. At the start of the class, I felt extremely intimidated by digital game dev. I felt that I had a bit of experience in all aspects of the development process, but didn’t have the depth required to succeed. However, I took on an interdisciplinary role on my team, supporting different teammates with different tasks depending on where we needed extra help.
Through the process of making a game, I reframed what game design means to me. Each part of the process felt like I was creating art, from initial design decisions to making pixel art to diving into the codebase. I’ve never gotten to work on a group art project before, and that was a really special experience. I don’t think I’ve ever worked on a group project where each person had so much buy-in. It resulted in a product that we are very proud of and a team that feels really connected (partially due to the power of shared food, haha).
Next time I work on a game, I would like to try to take on a more serious topic. I think I’ve realized just how much play can change perspectives. That’s a really powerful tool to have as a designer, and I want to give it a shot. If I were to do this, I think playtesting and research would become even more important to the design process, to ensure that the message of the game is being communicated carefully and thoughtfully
While I still wouldn’t call myself a “gamer,” I would say that I am well on my way to becoming one. At the very least, I now know what a “filthy casual” is and can happily claim that title!
Sounds like I might see you in 377g!