TIM_B_057 History of games and gaming

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Bc. Silvester Buček (lecturer), doc. Mgr. Jana Horáková, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Bc. Silvester Buček
Department of Musicology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Ing. Alena Albíniová
Supplier department: Department of Musicology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each odd Monday 12:00–15:40 N43, except Mon 18. 11. to Sun 24. 11.
Prerequisites
A prerequisite is the ability to understand the English text and language.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 27/50, only registered: 0/50, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course objectives are to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the history of games (both digital and non-digital) and gaming, as well as their development, and to gain knowledge of the economic, technological, and social aspects of the gaming industry and gaming itself. The course will help students understand how game genres and platforms have been shaped and changed and emphasize the importance of games in the broader cultural and media context. The course also aims to develop critical thinking and the ability to analyze and evaluate the impact of games on society and culture.
Learning outcomes
Skills acquired during the course: Analysis and interpretation of historical sources and materials related to games and gameplay. Recognition of key events, personalities, and technological innovations that shaped the gaming industry and gaming culture. Critical thinking and the ability to evaluate the impact of games on society, law, pop culture, and the like. Understanding of the economic and social contexts that influence the development and dissemination of games and gameplay. Communication using specialized terminology and concepts in the field of game history and gameplay.
Syllabus
  • The course will consist of 6 sessions: 1. Introduction to the history of games and gameplay 1.1. Overview of traditional and tabletop games 1.2. Elements of games: rules, players, goals, and strategies 1.3. Social and cultural aspects of gameplay 2. Gaming culture and social impact 2.1. Relationship between games, society, and law 2.2. Development of gaming communities and fan culture 2.3. Reflection of games in pop culture, media, and academia 3. Origins of digital games (1950 - 1983) 3.1. First generation of consoles and computer games 3.2. "Golden Age" of arcade games 3.3. Development of game genres and mechanics 4. Changes in the gaming industry after the Atari crash (1984 - 1995) 4.1. Atari crash and its consequences 4.2. New platforms and developers 4.3. Development of gaming technologies and significant titles 5. Gaming industry and market at the turn of the millennium 5.1. Standardization of hardware and software 5.2. Development in the post-soviet block 5.3. Emergence of 3D graphics and evolution of game genres 6. Modern trends in the gaming industry 6.1. Motion control and innovations in gameplay 6.2. Online gaming and esports 6.3. Mobile games and their impact on the market
Literature
  • DONOVAN, Tristan. Replay : the history of video games. 1st pub. in Great Britain. East Sussex: Yellow Ant, 2010, xiv, 501. ISBN 9780956507204. info
  • KENT, Steven L. The ultimate history of video games : from Pong to Pokémon and beyond : the story behind the craze that touched our lives and changed the world. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2001, xvi, 608. ISBN 0761536434. info
  • HUIZINGA, J. Homo ludens : o původu kultury ve hře. Translated by Jaroslav Vácha. Vyd. 2., v edici Studie 1. Praha: Dauphin, 2000, 297 s. ISBN 8072720201. info
  • HUIZINGA, J. Homo ludens : a study of the play-element in culture. 1st Beacon pbk. ed. Boston: Beacon, 1955, 220 s. ISBN 9780807046814. info
Teaching methods
The course is mostly in the form of presentation, with small exercises to raise attention.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Vzhľadom na súčasné udalosti ohľadom jazykových modelov momentálne prehodnocujem spôsoby hodnotenia.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2024/TIM_B_057