Game Design: Building a Virtual Board Game (on campus) May 20 - July 1st

Vancouver Film school presents a first-of-its-kind virtual board game design workshop. Understanding board games and how they work is an essential component to becoming a good game designer and an integral part of the VFS Game Design curriculum.

Taught by award-winning board game designer Jay Cormier, this workshop introduces you to key concepts of game design. You will explore the art of board game design, focusing on the how and why board games work. This direct experience workshop features numerous activities (including playing some fun games!) that will lead you to make and present your own game on Tabletopia.

Each group will get an additional 15-minute feedback session with the instructor to review their work. You will be presenting your game to your classmates during the last class.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about how to make board games or are interested in your first steps towards video game design, this workshop is for you.

Course Details:

Schedule: Wednesdays, on campus, 6-9pm PDT

• May 20, 6-9pm (first class)
• May 27, 6-9pm
• June 3, 6-9pm
• June 10, 6-9pm
• June 17, 6-9pm
• June 24, 6-9pm
• July 1, 6-9pm (final class)

Cost: CAD550

Learning Outcomes – Participants Will:

• Understand and implement key aspects that all game designers need to know for effective game design: mechanics, uncertainty, feedback loops, etc.
• Understand why board game design is a crucial component to becoming a good video game designer.
• Create your own virtual board game design using Tabletopia.

Requirements:

• Tabletopia account (create one for free at tabletopia.com)
• Any graphics manipulation/alteration program such as Gimp (free to download at gimp.org)
• Computer with dual monitors (recommended), microphone, and camera (optional)
• Stable Internet connection

Prerequisites:

Students are not required to have any previous training or experience.

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Host or Publisher Vancouver Film School