Systems, Iteration, and Production

This unit teaches how to design, test, balance, document, and prepare a game for production and discovery. Students learn systems thinking (economies, progression, UI), iterative playtesting and balancing techniques, production planning (assets, budget, marketing), and ethical/cultural considerations to ready a project for final development.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze playtest observations and player feedback to identify usability, balance, and learning-curve problems, and produce a prioritized iteration plan with at least five specific revisions.
• Apply systems thinking to design and balance a core game system (e.g., economy, progression, or UI flow) within defined scope and constraints, documenting tuned parameters and measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrate production-readiness by producing a documentation packet that includes at least five artifacts: a condensed design document, UI/spec sheet, asset list, budget estimate, and a marketing/discoverability plan (e.g., Steam/store listing strategy).
• Evaluate ethical and cultural implications of design choices and propose at least three actionable guidelines or adjustments to promote inclusive and responsible player experiences.