Discover our methods and tools to help design a game with fun and deep mechanics.

ACT I: RATIONAL GAME DESIGN

Discover our methods and tools to help design a game with fun and deep mechanics.

The first course will help students understand how innovative mechanics are created by analyzing and rationalizing different game structures.

We will explore how games are made, from player skills to game mechanics and atomic parameter, as well as their signs and feedback.

ACT 1 OVERVIEW

The first course will help students understand how innovative mechanics are created by analyzing and rationalizing different game structures.

We will explore how games are made, from player skills to game mechanics and atomic parameter, as well as their signs and feedback.

ACT 1 OVERVIEW

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Adopt rational game design to create fun and innovative games.
  • Improve productivity from conception to production.
  • Use their gained knowledge of rational game design and create their very own game concept.
  • Share a common vocabulary with their community of practice.
  • Learn to define design principles and terminologies currently used by Ubisoft’s developers.
  • Share new ideas and explore different design methods.
  • Understand the importance to communicate their ideas with their game development community by giving them measurable values.

STRUCTURE

The Rational Game Design course is divided into 6 chapters and 16 missions. In order to explore and conquer new territories, students will have to journey through different parts of this world.

As they progress through the course, students will discover the epic story of Nagato, a shinobi warrior. Just like him, they will practice their skills and challenge their knowledge to progress through the first part of the Odyssey. The story of our hero will evolve along with their own learning journey.

COURSE CERTIFICATE

In order to complete the Rational Game Design course and get their completion certificate, students will have to complete the following requirements:

  • Obtain a minimum of 12000 XP
  • Complete their final exam with a grade of 60% or more
  • Complete their final activity

COURSE SETTING

The first Act of our program takes place in a fictional setting based on Ubisoft’s For Honor game franchise.
For Honor is an action fighting game, set in a medieval fantasy world.

CURRICULUM

MISSION EXAMPLE

CHAPTER I – Familiarize yourself with the course content and progression

Mission I - Introduction

Meet the course creators and learn about the first part of the Odyssey.

Understand how to navigate and progress through the course.

CHAPTER II – Explore the origins and foundations that support the RGD method

Get to know the teams, production stages and development process of video games at Ubisoft.

Learn about how Experience and Gameplay work together.

Understand the fundamentals of the renowned design principle: Form Follows Function.

CHAPTER III – Dive in the creation of player-centric design and game mechanics

Understand the game system’s structure and its different components.

Identify the difference between physical, mental and social player skills and various types of inputs.

Learn and play with difficulty factors of game mechanics.

CHAPTER IV – Learn and practice creating gameplay elements and provide guidance to players

Identify gameplay situations and gameplay elements.

Create a table of gameplay situations and gameplay elements.

Identify how the game communicates its mechanics to players.

Create a table of Signs that drives player actions and feedback from players’ actions.

CHAPTER V – Dive into the physical, mental and social mechanics and practice creating game systems

Recap mission of the concepts of bottom-up and top-down design.

Identify the types of inputs and parameters for physical skill-based mechanics.

Play with the types of inputs and parameters for physical skill-based mechanics.

Identify the types of inputs and parameters for mental skill-based mechanics.

Play with the types of inputs and parameters for mental skill-based mechanics.

Identify the types of inputs and parameters for social skill-based mechanics.

Play with the types of inputs and parameters for social skill-based mechanics.

CHAPTER VI – Review the RGD method and access your final evaluation

Get a final overview and recap of the principles of RGD.

Prepare for your Final Activity.

Create your own game concept and share it with the community.

Test your knowledge of the course with this Final Exam.

CURRICULUM

MISSION EXAMPLE

CHAPTER I – Familiarize yourself with the course content and progression

Mission I - Introduction

Meet the course creators and learn about the first part of the Odyssey.

Understand how to navigate and progress through the course.

CHAPTER II – Explore the origins and foundations that support the RGD method

Get to know the teams, production stages and development process of video games at Ubisoft.

Learn about how Experience and Gameplay work together.

Understand the fundamentals of the renowned design principle: Form Follows Function.

CHAPTER III – Dive in the creation of player-centric design and game mechanics

Understand the game system’s structure and its different components.

Identify the difference between physical, mental and social player skills and various types of inputs.

Learn and play with difficulty factors of game mechanics.

CHAPTER IV – Learn and practice creating gameplay elements and provide guidance to players

Identify gameplay situations and gameplay elements.

Create a table of gameplay situations and gameplay elements.

Identify how the game communicates its mechanics to players.

Create a table of Signs that drives player actions and feedback from players’ actions.

CHAPTER V – Dive into the physical, mental and social mechanics and practice creating game systems

Recap mission of the concepts of bottom-up and top-down design.

Identify the types of inputs and parameters for physical skill-based mechanics.

Play with the types of inputs and parameters for physical skill-based mechanics.

Identify the types of inputs and parameters for mental skill-based mechanics.

Play with the types of inputs and parameters for mental skill-based mechanics.

Identify the types of inputs and parameters for social skill-based mechanics.

Play with the types of inputs and parameters for social skill-based mechanics.

CHAPTER VI – Review the RGD method and access your final evaluation

Get a final overview and recap of the principles of RGD.

Prepare for your Final Activity.

Create your own game concept and share it with the community.

Test your knowledge of the course with this Final Exam.