Game Mechanics Implementation (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The first ~10 weeks of the course are used to get acquainted with different game mechanics, which is done by weekly lectures and learning assignments. The final weeks of the course are reserved for individual project work and project presentations.

Objective

The objective of the course (objectives):
Have you ever though how different games implement their mechanics? Why every game in the same genre does not have all the useful and similar mechanics? Have you ever wanted to make a game do your bidding through the game mechanics?

Game development is these days done widely by taking advantage of the professional core development tools. Using such tools speeds up development and gives you more focus on developing the game mechanics. However, to make game mechanics work exactly the way you want with those tools, you should have a understanding of how to design and implement the technological perspective of the game.

Now is your chance to put your technical skills into use and start doing games that actually feel fun to play! Let's get the games running!

Course competences:
- Game Production: Student can produce game mechanics related content for a game project and can work with the tools in meaningful and systematic way. Student can implement game technology related assets with a game engine. Student can program with an engine-specific language and understand the role of assets. Student can produce value for a game project while working in a game technology related specialist role.
- Learning to Learn: Also takes responsibility for group learning and sharing what has been learned.

The learning objectives of the course (outcomes):
After the course you have knowledge of game development, its terminology and their relation to the core development tools. You understand the game mechanics design, creation, and implementation processes with the core game development tools. You also understand how working games can be technically designed and implemented with your own or modified pre-made game mechanics related building blocks and selected core development tools.  You can apply your skills to create a game functionality script library. You can apply your skills to implement game mechanics and a working game with the script library. You can try modifying the game engine editor. You can apply your skills to be a part of the game development process.

Content

Some of the tools you will gain experience with in this course are the technical design (partial), the game engine and its application programming interface. You will hone your game development and core development tools related skills. You will develop skills to create and use a script library for implementing game mechanics building blocks. All the skills will help you in implementing a working game from a technical perspective, taking advantage of the core development tools. You can test modifying the game engine editor.

Materials

Mandatory learning materials will be provided in the course Moodle-space. Learning materials include videos, articles and e-books from Jamk’s library.

Documentation for tools used on the course:
- Microsoft. (2025). C# programming guide [Documentation website]. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/programming-guide/
- Unity Technologies. (2025a). Unity - Manual [Documentation website]. https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/index.html
- Unity Technologies. (2025b). Unity - Scripting API [Application Programming Interface website]. https://docs.unity3d.com/ScriptReference/index.html

Teaching methods

The course will be delivered as a weekly theory lecture, as well as a demo session where the week’s topic is brought into practice. The course consists of individual learning assignments and project-based learning. Weekly learning assignments will require students to implement different kinds of game mechanics around different game concepts. The course culminates in the Final Boss, where students will plan, execute and report a mechanics implementation project of their choice based on the theoretical framework provided by the course.
Artificial intelligence (AI) usage:
The use of AI LLM tools for mechanics development is permitted and recommended, as long as the student understands and can build upon the results. The use of AI LLM tools is prohibited in written documentation, such as project reports.

Employer connections

The course can have an industry guest and/or possible excursion.

Exam schedules

There will be no exam during this course.

The main basis for assessment is a game mechanics implementation project, where students showcase their learning. Completing smaller assignments and course activity as well as self-assessment will also contribute to the grade.

Completion alternatives

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 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:
In-class activities: ~45 hours
Final Project: ~30 hours
Self-study: ~60 hours

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient (1): You know how the main functionality of the core development tools game creation capabilities work. You understand some of the technical parts of the game development process. You are capable of gathering and using a game functionality script library for implementing game mechanics. You can apply your skills to implement simple game mechanics and a working game with a script library. You can be productive in a limited role as a game programmer.

Satisfactory (2): You understand how the main functionality of the core development tools game creation capabilities work. You understand some of the technical parts of the game development process. You are capable of creating and using a game functionality script library for implementing game mechanics. You can apply your skills to implement game mechanics and a working game with the script library.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3): You are able to use the main functionality of the core development tools game creation capabilities. You understand most of the technical parts of the game development process. You are capable of designing, creating, sharing, and using a game functionality script library for implementing game mechanics. You can apply your skills to implement and analyze game mechanics and a working game with the script library. You can be productive in a role as a game programmer.

Very Good (4): You are able to use and analyse the main functionality of the core development tools game creation capabilities. You understand and take into use most of the technical parts of the game development process. You are capable of designing, creating, sharing, and using a game functionality script library for implementing game mechanics. You can apply your skills to implement and analyze complex game mechanics and a working game with the script library.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): You demonstrate deeper understanding, and are able to use or modify the main functionality of the core development tools game creation capabilities. You can take into use and analyse most of the technical parts of the game development process. You are capable of designing, creating, sharing, and using a game functionality script library for implementing game mechanics. You can apply your skills to implement and analyze complex game mechanics and a working game with the script library. You have done cooperation with other game developer(s) in your project(s).

Qualifications

Sufficient skills in game programming, game engine, and other core development tools are required. A previous game functionality code base is a plus.