EDGE

Empowering Game Design Education

Course Content
Course Information
Welcome to Introduction to Transformative Game Design!
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Welcome! Start Here For Important Information From Your Instructors
Course Calendar
Assessment & Deliverables
Policy on Generative AI
Schedule & Instructions
Learning Objectives and Success Criteria
Course Materials
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Looking For Group Discussion Forum
Unit 1: Introduction to Transformative Game Design
This course explores foundational concepts and practices to consider when designing for transformative impacts.
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Overview: Introduction to Transformative Game Design
Discussion Forum Instructions
Sign up for Your Playtest and Feedback Group
Orientation Quiz
Discussion 1: Introduce Yourself and Connect!
Discussion 2: Introduction to Role-playing Games
Reflection Journal 1: This Course and You
Discussion 3: Introduction to Transformative Game Design
Unit 2: Transformative Leisure Role-playing Games
These types of games were not necessarily designed for an educational or therapeutic purpose, but that players might find them transformative in a variety of different ways.
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Overview: Transformative Leisure Role-playing Games
Discussion Forum Instructions
Playtest 1: #Feminism
Discussion 4: Transformative Leisure Games
Instructions for Major Assignment 1: Transformative Game Design Proposal
Unit 3: Therapeutic Role-playing Games
These types of games are designed for a therapeutic purpose or to help participants develop social skills.
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Overview: Therapeutic Role-playing Games
Discussion Forum Instructions
Discussion 5: Transformative Game Design Brainstorming and Feedback
Discussion 6: Therapeutic Role-playing Games
Unit 4: Educational Role-playing Games
These types of games are designed for an educational purpose according to specific learning objectives.
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Overview: Educational Role-playing Games
Discussion Forum Instructions
Submission of Major Assignment 1: Transformative Game Design Proposal
Instructions for Game Design Document and Playtest Plan
Schedule Playtest 2: Your Transformative Game Design
Discussion 7: Educational Theories
Unit 5: Research Through Design
We will discuss ways to design and iterate role-playing games, but also how to take that process a step further and engage in formalized analysis of the process through academic writing.
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Overview: Research Through Design
Discussion Forum Instructions
Discussion 8: Research Through Design
Submission of Game Design Document and Playtest Plan
Instructions for Major Assignment 2: Transformative Game Design
Reflection Journal 2: Role-Playing Game Design and You
Playtest 2: Your Transformative Game Design
Unit 6: Ritual, Myth and Symbolism
We can consider role-playing games ritual spaces, but rituals can also be embedded into role-playing games for deeper experiences.
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Overview: Ritual, Myth, and Symbolism
Discussion Forum Instructions
Discussion 9: Academic Writing — Argument
Discussion 10: Ritual, Symbolism, and Myth
Unit 7: Culture and Conflict in RPGs
We will explore different types of culture in RPGs, including fictional and real cultures and subcultures portrayed in games.
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Overview: Culture and Conflict in RPGs
Discussion Forum Instructions
Submission of First Complete Draft of Major Assignment 2: Transformative Game Design
Peer Review Instructions for Major Assignment 2
Discussion 11: Culture and RPGs
Discussion 12: Conflict and RPGs
Unit 8: Safety and Identity in RPGs
In this unit, we will deepen into concepts related to safety design.
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Overview: Safety and Identity in RPGs
Discussion Forum Instructions
Reflection Journal 3: Safety and RPGs
Reflection Journal 4: Role-playing, Identity, and You
Unit 9: Game Technologies and RPGs
By its very name, analog role-playing emphasizes interactions between people unmediated by technology, but of course in reality, we often use technologies during play.
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Overview: Game Technologies and RPGs
Discussion Forum Instructions
Discussion 13: Game Technologies and RPGs
Submission of Major Assignment 2 Peer Reviews
Unit 10: Transformative Game Design and You
In this unit, you will reflect upon the course as a whole, as well as your design and playtest experiences.
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Overview: Transformative Game Design and You
Reflection Journal 5: Transformative Game Design and You
Submission of Final Draft of Major Assignment 2: Transformative Game Design
Introduction to Transformative Game Design

Reflection Journal 3: Safety and RPGs

Read Bowman et al.’s “Chapter 5: Safety and Community Container Setting” in Transformative Role-playing Game Design.

Answer the following questions:

  1. Based on the chapter, in your own words, what is the relationship between safety, play, growth? Do you agree with this formulation? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever experienced or witnessed any of the psychological difficulties mentioned in chapter within a gaming community or related subculture? Please share only what you feel comfortable communicating with your teachers.
    • If not, why do you think that might be? Be specific.
  3. Briefly describe your #Feminism playtest, including the dynamics between your group members, the use of safety tools, and any takeaways you have from the experience.
  4. Consider a situation in which a player might experience one of these psychological difficulties during your nanogame. Then, choose one (1) safety strategy from the chapter you have not yet incorporated into play. How might such a strategy aid a player in this situation?
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