Before taking CS 247G, I thought about play and game design mostly through my knowledge of watching games. Growing up, because buying video games was expensive, I often watched gameplay videos from YouTubers like Markiplier and Jacksepticeye. Even though I was not the one playing, I remained engaged for hours. At the time, I thought I was simply interested in the entertainment of the stories, but this class helped me understand that much of what kept me engaged came from the design of the goals in mind, puzzles, and mechanics.
Through lectures and speakers, I began to see how design choices affect a player’s experience in the storytelling. Some of the critical play games I played were not within my interest, nonetheless, there is always an interesting aspect of playing out of one’s comfort zone and learning about the design style of others. The game that resonated with me the most was Depression Quest, a reminder that games do not all have to jolly to have a purpose in the message they are trying to express, and that they can be representative of human struggle.
The most memorable experience is seeing the grade for my first critical play, not because I was upset at the grade itself, rather the feedback provided insight into how I could improve on seeing games not as a player but a designer. It was a challenge to improve on each Critical Play, and being able to integrate readings, in-person lecture, and experiences, and sometimes I did have moments of “wow, well this is a bit tougher than PWR1/2”, but nearing the end, I definitely had a better grasp of what a Critical Play experience through a designer lens was about. I began to be more intentional with the wording of my descriptions, and correlate the screenshots to concepts, and also added my own personal tone to the style of writing.
Lastly, although I have not played many virtual or physical games recently, this course reminded me that play is not something people simply grow out of. It can be a way to reconnect with curiosity, creativity, and even one’s younger self. More than anything, CS 247G increased my awareness of games as a meaningful design medium to life! Games are not only entertainment, but complex systems that can communicate ideas, create connection, and invite people into new ways of thinking. If future me does become a game designer (for now AI is my route), I’ll definitely bring this experience to the future storytelling and works I may make.
