Introduction to Tabletop Roleplaying Games: Theory, Narrative, and Design

Quarters
Summer Open
Location
Olympia
Class Standing
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Sam Saltiel

In this introductory game design workshop and seminar, students will learn about, analyze, and build their own tabletop roleplaying games. We will study the theories and narratives behind games as cultural devices, tools of social change, and as collaborative storytelling devices. Alongside our readings, students will complete short game design exercises, ultimately culminating in designing their own complete draft of a tabletop roleplaying game for a final project. We will encounter materials such as McGonigal's Reality is Broken, Ken Eklund's World Without Oil, Hannah Shaffer's MUD: A Golem Memoir, and Sarah Malone's Bluebeard's Bride.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

8 - Game Design

Registration

Course Reference Numbers
Full Session (8): 40070

Academic Details

Game design, creative writing, graphic design, visual arts

8
25
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior

Schedule

Summer
2025
Open
In Person (Su)

See definition of Hybrid, Remote, and In-Person instruction

Day
Schedule Details
SEM 2 E2109 - Seminar
Olympia