Opetussuunnitelmat

Objective

The object of the course
Are you interested to write a good catchy story with a great plot and interesting characters? This course is about a write a storyboard for a game but we also make a glance to write to other media and platforms. Storytelling has been started a long time ago in the dawn of homo sapiens. First storytellers where probably telling to the audience about great hunting places or possible dangerous hazards for the tribe in the campfire. And to catch the audience they need to engage the audience with catchy narrative. Narrative is about how you tell the story and engage your audience and game scriptwriters across the world do exactly the same as their forefathers/mothers did in those campfires in early days of human beings.

After completing this course, you have understanding about the framework of narrative and workflow and you are able to implement your storytelling skills in various forms in different kind of game genres as well as in other media.

Course competences
Game Production Competence

The learning objectives of the course
The student who completes the course understands aspects and terms of narrative and are able to produce storyline material in different forms for a game. You will deepen your competence as a writer by making a comprehensive concept for a storyboard with credible characters and their motives. You will also learn how to make action (conflicts) and how to lure audience to continue follow the story. Engaging is heavily related to the audience and therefore you also learn how different segments can be manipulated to follow your story/narrative

Content

During this course you will learn creative process, work approach and structure of game storytelling process. You will also go deeper with character design and conflict and motivation factors. Other elements are writing a dialogue and logic of the storyline in different game genres. Writing interactive narrative is one of the key factors in this course but during the course will also become acquainted with more traditional forms of scriptwriting. You will also learn how to work in co-creative project.

Teaching methods

For those who have not executed Narrative Design course (e.g.other degree students than BIT and open studies students): Please be in touch with lecturer responsible concerning the course ( Ilari.miikkulainen@jamk.fi ). There will be some pre-materials and assignment before the actual course execution.

The course will be executed as a two-week intensive hybrid period, which is succeeded by individual project work over the summer.

The course consists work shops and project-based learning. The course will be implemented by general lectures, learning assignments and practical project work. During the course the student will learn the basic terminology and the general mindset of narrative. The student will also become acquainted with the tools and conventions to make appropriate manuscript for the game concept.

Employer connections

Possible guest lectures concerning the topic.

Exam schedules

There will be no exam during this course.

The main basis for assessment is the individual summer project a.k.a. "Final Boss", where students showcase their learning. Completing smaller assignments and course activity as well as self-assessment will also contribute to the grade.

Vaihtoehtoiset suoritustavat

You have the right to apply for recognition of your studies if you have prior learning (e.g. university studies completed elsewhere) that can be accredited towards the degree you are currently completing.

The recognition of prior learning is possible in three primary ways: accreditation (replacement or inclusion), recognition of informal learning and studification. More precise info: JAMK Degree Regulations, section 17.

Student workload

One credit corresponds to an average of 27 hours of work, which means that the load of 5 credits is approximately 135 hours.

The 135 hours will divide roughly in the following way:
Intensive studies lectures: ~35 hours
Intensive studies self-study: ~35 hours
Final Boss: ~65 hours

Evaluation scale

0-5

Arviointikriteerit, tyydyttävä (1-2)

Sufficient (1): You have knowledge in the area of narrative design. You know the concepts of narrative and storyboard and you know what they mean. Your final product is superficial and no logical storyline

Satisfactory (2): You understand the concepts of narrative design and how they are related to game development process. Your storyboard is basic but there are challenges in logic, dialogue, motives and/or characters. Your final presentation is average.

Arviointikriteerit, hyvä (3-4)

Good (3): You understand the concepts of game design and can apply the gained knowledge in a real-life development project. Your concept is good but there are some problems with narrative elements and/or minor challenges with the logic of the storyline. Your final presentation is average but you can show some critical thinking towards your work.

Very good (4): You understand the narrative process and framework thoroughly and you will be able to analyze given narrative material in detail. You are able to produce artistic and/or commercial narrative material by yourself. Your final assignment is logical and the characters and their action are comprehensible. You are able to produce wide wholeness with different interesting viewpoints which make your work evocative to audience. Your analysis concerning your work is honest and you see some ways to improve it.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): You understand the narrative process and framework thoroughly and you will be able to analyze given narrative material in detail. You are able to produce valid artistic and/or commercial narrative material by yourself. Your final production for the course is somehow unique and you are able to bring it to audience in really illustrative manner which inspires peers. Plan is detailed well from various aspects and it would be possible to implement in real life. Your analysis concerning your work is critical and you are also able to see the weak points of your plan.

Qualifications

Narrative design course or analogous knowledge. Previous game production courses from degree program or similar knowledge. (BIT/JAMK)