COMM 3337 481: Storytelling for Video Games

Course runs from July 8 to Aug. 7 with Final Exam on Aug. 8.

PARTICIPATION:

Class online participation is graded, encouraged, and expected. However, participation does not mean being disruptive or rude in class. Please be considerate of your classmates and instructor.

GAMIFICATION:

In keeping with the gaming theme of this course, it will be taught in a gamification style.

Gamification: Using game elements and game design techniques in non-game applications, such as business, social impact challenges, and in classrooms.

You stand before the arcade game. Your fingers reach into your pocket and you pull out some loose change. One coin at a time, you slide them into its housing. The resounding click of metal lets you know it's time to play as each coin drops into the machine. As if that weren't enough, the screen lights up with animated graphics and an electronic chime sounds.

Ready Player One...

For this course, each student will select an Avatar (their in-game character) complete with a class (fighter, wizard, or cleric) You are each on your own Hero's Journey as the primary protagonist of your own story. Fighters start out with 80 HP and 30 AP, Wizards with 30 HP and 50 AP, and Clerics with 50 HP and 35 AP.

Your goal is to collect experience points (XP) in order to gain levels. Grades will be based off of the level you achieve in the course.

Level 1: 10XP     Level 2: 25XP     Level 3: 50XP

Level 4: 100XP     Level 5: 150XP     Level 6: 200XP

Level 7: 250XP     Level 8: 300XP     Level 9: 350XP

Level 10: 500XP     Level 11: 550XP     Level 12: 600XP

Level 13: 650XP     Level 14: 700XP     Level 15: 750XP

Level 16: 800XP     Level 17: 900XP     Level 18: 950XP

Level 20: 1,000XP     Epic Levels: More than 1,000XP

AP (Action Points): As rewards for turning in assignments early, for participating in class discussions, and other productive or positive behavior, a student may be awarded AP. This AP can be used to purchase special favors, such as getting an answer to a test question, healing a teammate who burned through all their lives, etc. A complete list of Actions will be provided by an additional handout during class. You automatically regain 30 AP each Monday, up to your starting value.

HP (Hit Points): You lose HP when you break class rules listed in the syllabus. For example, -10HP for being rude to a classmate in an online discussion, -10HP for turning in an assignment late, -5HP for being negative in class.

Further information on the Gamification aspects of this course will be provided through Blackboard.

—COURSE ASSIGNMENTS OVERVIEW—

Written Work: 

All out-of-class assignments must be typed unless stated otherwise. Assignments will be submitted electronically through our class Blackboard. All online assignments are due at 11:59 p.m. on the day indicated on your class schedule, unless otherwise noted in the syllabus schedule and/or on Blackboard. The instructor will post a Blackboard announcement for any due date adjustments, though we will do our best to stick to the schedule as summer courses are on a tight schedule.

Assignments which do not adhere to assignment guidelines will be rejected. For example, handwritten papers will not be accepted. It is the student's responsibility to submit assignments as directed, either online or in class. Please use Turnitin on Blackboard for writing assignments or Blackboard Dropbox for activities.

This course includes four written assignments that make up a significant portion of the grade:

WRITING ASSIGNMENT, MAJOR QUEST 1: WORLDBUILDING

1. Upload the final draft to Turnitin. Please see rubric and complete assignment instructions on Blackboard.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT, MAJOR QUEST 2: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

1. Upload the final draft to Turnitin. Please see rubric and complete assignment instructions on Blackboard.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT, MAJOR QUEST 3: STORY STRUCTURE & PLOT

1. Upload the final draft to Turnitin. Please see rubric and complete assignment instructions on Blackboard.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT, MAJOR QUEST 4: INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE

1. Dialogue written in NWN:EE Aurora Toolset. Turn in your NWN:EE module file to the instructor. Please see rubric and complete assignment instructions on Blackboard.

PRONOUNS:

Please let me know how you would like to be addressed in terms of gender pronouns and identity. You may email me or talk to me in private before or after class. I use the he, him, and his pronouns for myself and you may call me “Mr. Brown” or “Professor Brown.”

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. Thomas R. Brown, who publishes as “T. Rob Brown,” is a photographer and writer who began his career in 1993. In addition to more than 20 years as a full-time daily newspaper photojournalist, where he served as photographer, writer, editor, copyeditor, and page designer for numerous daily Midwest newspapers, he also served as a freelance writer for Marvel Comics and Star Wars on four published books from 2009 to 2012, including the Origins award-winning Marvel Heroic Roleplaying: Civil War, Marvel Heroic Roleplaying: Civil War: Young Avengers and Runaways, Star Wars: Galaxy of Intrigue, and Silver Ennie-winning Star Wars: Clone Wars Campaign Guide.

Twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, Brown earned more than 40 national, regional and state awards for photography and writing during his journalism career. Following a return to schooling to pursue his master’s degree in 2014, Brown began freelancing for The Kansas City Star as a photographer. He continues work on his fantasy and science fiction novels, screenplays, and photography books. Currently, he is working on Literally Breathtaking—a photography book about Cusco and Machu Picchu, Peru, along with Chile's Santiago region.

Brown earned his bachelor’s (1993) from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin and his master’s (2015) from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. He is originally from the Kansas City, Missouri, area.

He began teaching at Texas A&M International University in Fall 2017.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Students will be able to identify, analyze, and propose new stories for video games.
• Students will review current trends and issues in game design and learn how to avoid and improve upon these.
• Students will be able to demonstrate proper structure, grammar, spelling, style, and content suitable for video games.
• Students will be able to use storytelling techniques for a variety of game genres.
• Students will have an understanding of the role of mythology and mythic structure in storytelling for video games.

Goal #1: Students should be able to communicate effectively.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Apply the principles of effective communication in individual writing.
2. Apply the principles of effective writing and other forms of communication.

Goal #2: Students should be able to think critically.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information in problem solving.
2. Articulate a problem and develop a logical and reasonable response to it, using appropriate sources.
3. Apply generalizations, principles, theories, or rules to the real world.
4. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize information.

Neverwinter Nights Enhanced Edition (for Windows PC)

Software by BioWare Corp/Beamdog. This is the recently re-released updated version of the 2002 classic D&D RPG Neverwinter Nights. It can be purchased direct from Beamdog (which lets you download it there and also provided me with a Steam key) or from Steam or from GOG. You only need the standard version which runs $19.99 (retail, though is often on sale in the spring and summer) but you may also get the Deluxe Edition, which is $39.99 (retail). Either will satisfy the requirements for the course—the Deluxe just has additional content for you to play with and includes the digital soundtrack. Neverwinter Nights includes the Aurora Toolset—this is the same toolset the creators of the game used to build it and all of the expansions. Neverwinter Nights, in addition to the regular game client, includes a game master client where certain players may enter the game as a game master with the ability to control monsters, non-player characters (NPCs), and numerous other abilities. The instructor will be hosting a game world server (Persistent World), built in the Aurora Toolset, which students may log into and play on to test out the game and its functionality.

Grading Policies

Grade	Value
GRADE	PERCENTAGE
A	90-100
B	80-89.9
C	70-79.9
D	60-69.9
F	Below 60

Note: ALL primary assignments must be completed to pass the course. This includes four individual writing assignments and the final exam. Students may not choose to take a zero for any primary assignment or they will fail the course. Note: the final exam will be comprehensive.

Grading Policies

Grade	Value
PRIMARY ASSIGNMENTS	XP
Writing Assignment #1: Worldbuilding	100XP
Writing Assignment #2: Character Development	150XP
Writing Assignment #3: Story Structure & Plot	150XP
Writing Assignment #4: Interactive Dialogue (Final Game Project)	250XP
Final Exam	100XP
SECONDARY ASSIGNMENTS	XP
Syllabus Quiz	20XP
Activities 1-3	150XP—3 @ 50XP
Classroom Participation	60XP—6 @ 10XP
Proposals 1-2	20XP—2 @ 10XP
GRAND TOTAL	1,000 possible XP

Exam:

There will be one exam—the Final, which will be given on Finals Day (August 8). See the course calendar in this syllabus for additional information. The exam will cover all reading materials and lectures (it's comprehensive). The exam will be taken online via Respondus Monitor. If you have not yet paid the annual $15, that fee may be required to take the exam.

Respondus Monitor is part of the LockDown Browser and requires a webcam for online exams. If you need assistance with Respondus Monitor, you may contact OIT or click the Student Support tab on Blackboard and search for Instructional Technologies section and select Respondus LockDown Browser. The download itself is free.

If you do not have access to a computer with a webcam, you may be able to check one out from OIT. Please contact OIT for additional information on borrowing a laptop.

Reading Assignments:

Reading assignments for the course are to be completed before the online lecture for which they are assigned. The reading assignments will prepare you for the content of the lectures, for the activities and writing assignments, as well as for the exam.

Make-up Work:

There is NO make-up option for a Final Exam.

Obviously, the best plan is to turn assignments in on time (the deadline) so they may be graded in a reasonable amount of time to give students necessary feedback. Assignments received late receive reduced grades for each day past the deadline (see Late assignments below). Late work MUST be made up within a week of the due date or by the day of the Final Exam, whichever comes first. Depending on the circumstances, the point loss will be decided upon by the instructor. Typically, the following rules will affect point deduction for late assignments, though the instructor may take special situations into consideration:

• For each class period an assignment is late, the work will take a 20-percent grade reduction.
• Students are required to contact the instructor about make-up work. The instructor will NOT make an effort to contact a student about make-up work. A student's ability to turn in late work will be decided at the discretion of the instructor. Reasons for the lateness of the work will be taken into account, especially in the case of medical emergencies and other University-approved absence excuses.

Blackboard Grade Book:

This is a great tool for your reference while in the course. I will do my best to keep it fairly updated with course information and resources. It may also be used as a place to ask questions (class discussions too), which I will try to monitor and respond to at my first availability. I strongly suggest everyone keep a running record of their grades as assignments/evaluations are returned. I also recommend keeping a copy of all of your papers/assignments up until final grades are posted.

Late assignments:

Late assignments, will receive a grade reduction of 20% (two letter grades lost) for every day they are late. If you do not have a verifiable and accepted excuse, the late assignment grade reduction will be applied. A “verifiable excuse” is determined on a case-by-case situation by the instructor but normally includes things such as a doctor's excuse, military service, etc., in accordance with the policies of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Expectations:

Your overall class participation grade is determined by the discretion of the instructor. These points are factored based on online discussion participation and the following list of expectations:

• Adoption of an “I can do” attitude
• Being punctual and prepared for each class
• Positive participation in class discussions as well as professional behavior in all communication with other students and the instructor
• Being attentive and respectful during lecture and any student presentations
• Compliance with all Academic Policies & Requirements of Texas A&M International University and the College of Arts and Sciences

Your Grade Discussions:

If a student wishes to discuss their grade, please make a virtual appointment with the instructor. The instructor will not discuss grades of any form during class or lab time, or in front of other students. The student must work with the instructor to schedule a time when both are available.

Online Courses and On-Campus Meetings:

Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 2, Subchapter J, Section 2.202, defines distance education as the formal educational process that occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical setting for the majority (more than 50%) of instruction. Distance education includes hybrid and 100% online courses and programs as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

• Hybrid Course - A distance education course in which more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations.
• 100-Percent Online Course - A distance education course in which 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. Requirements for on-campus or in-person orientation, testing, academic support services, internships/fieldwork, or other non-instructional activities do not exclude a course from this category.

Course Structure:

Students are expected to log into Blackboard at least weekly, read course materials each week, follow each Blackboard Module in the order it's presented within the timeframe for each module, starting with the PowerPoints/lectures, then proceeding to online discussions, then proceeding to a weekly activity (for the first three weeks) and then finally to each week's writing assignment. Writing assignments are turned in via Blackboard Turnitin, unless otherwise noted. Activities are turned in via Blackboard Dropbox, unless otherwise noted.

To get the most out of this course, it's best for students to complete things in the order they're presented. Each reading assignment prepares students for the PowerPoints/lectures, which hopefully make the reading assignments more clear (through examples, visuals, and context) and further the ideas established in those readings. This information is useful to help the students answer the weekly online discussion questions, as well as to complete the weekly activity (which depends on the knowledge they learned). The weekly activities are the building blocks to help students complete the weekly writing assignments. And the culmination of all of that is necessary for students to complete the Final Game Project, which requires all of the knowledge and skills they have gained up to that point. Everything in this course is interconnected. Students who approach things in the proper flow will be more successful in this course.

Student-Instructor Communication Policy and Response Time

Announcements/Course Messages/Emails:

The instructor will frequently use announcements during the regular summer course week (Mondays-Thursdays), especially on Mondays to kick off the week.

The instructor and students will also communicate via course discussions. There will be at least one required course discussion per week, for a grade. Students may also post to general discussion topics to ask questions (not graded) about activities, assignments, etc.

If a student is in need of a faster response, I recommend they email me directly to thomas.brown@tamiu.edu rather than use course messages. I check my emails much more frequently than I do course messages.

I do my best to respond to messages as soon as possible, but my schedule and yours may not match up in some respects. Please be patient, especially if you email over the weekend (Friday through Sunday). Keep in mind that I will be unavailable July 31-Aug. 4, so please be extra patient then; I will be away at a Convention. I will tell you all about it when I return--it's actually somewhat related to our course topic.

Assignments and Assessments:

My goal is to complete some grading each week. Keep in mind there are more than 70 students and this is a WIN course; writing assignments take time to grade and offer feedback. If you find that you need feedback to proceed with the next assignment, feel free to email me and I will offer you feedback directly so you can move on to the next assignment--especially if you're working ahead of schedule.

Course Communication Guidelines (Netiquette):

There are course expectations concerning etiquette or how we should treat each other online. We must consider these values as we communicate with one another. Visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ web page on Netiquette for further instruction.

Accommodations/Accessibility Policy:

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Director of Student Counseling and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodation. For more information, contact the online at Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), via phone at 956.326.3086 or by visiting the staff at the Student Center, room 118. A link to the Disabilities Services for Students site has also been included under the "Resources" tab inside the course.

Student Support Resources:

The University wishes to have all students succeed in their courses. To provide support to our students, an array of services in the areas of technology support, academic support, student support, and accessibility support may be found at the University. For more information, visit the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services page on University Resources and Support Services.

Computer/Technology Requirements:

In order to be successful in this course, in terms of its technology requirements, students will need access to a computer with Internet access sufficient enough to watch online videos. Students should have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, for their first three writing assignments and their activities. Students optionally may use Adobe Acrobat. All writing and activity assignments should be turned in as either .DOC, .DOCX, or as .PDF (except for the Final Game Project, which will be a .MOD file.)

Students will also need Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition (Windows PC edition). This includes the Aurora Toolset, which will be used for several Demos during the course, as long as for the Final Game Project assignment. The files created in the Toolset will save as a .MOD file. This is the file the student will turn in for a grade for the final project. NWN:EE may be purchased from Beamdog, Steam, or GOG. An email was sent to students with further details on this information before the class started.

Also, a hardware mouse is highly recommended for NWN:EE's toolset. Working in the toolset is much faster if students can zoom and rotate quickly on 3D environments--this works more efficiently on a mouse than on a laptop track pad.

Optional: Steam may be required software if students purchased their NWN:EE through Steam or purchased a Steam key from a third-party reseller.

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Online students will need regular access to a personal computer that runs on a broadband Internet connection.

It is recommended that you meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the learning management system (LMS) of the University.

Additional Hardware. For this class, you will need the following additional hardware: Webcam (for the Final Exam). Recently purchased laptops may have these built-in web cameras. If you do not have this equipment, it is recommended to purchase a stand-alone webcam, microphone, or a webcam with a built-in microphone from your local electronic store or any online store.

NOTE: Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services may check out available webcams to students on a first-come, first-served basis. To check out a webcam, please stop by Killam Library, Room 259, and request an available webcam.

TAMIU Students may access online versions of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint software through their Dusty Office 365 account at https://dusty.tamiu.edu/. This site also provides students access to download the Microsoft suite for educational use. See instructions for downloading the Microsoft Office suite.

Note: Students, if you do not own the required hardware or software or do not have access to the Internet, it will be highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you in finding solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, classrooms, and available computer labs. Visit Media Services’ web page on the availability of on-campus computer labs. In addition, you may also purchase any of these hardware items at any electronics store.

Learning Management System (Blackboard):

Students are provided with an orientation (*eLearning (Blackboard) Student Orientation*) and access to guides on how to use the Blackboard LMS. Guides may be available at Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services' Student eLearning Tutorial Videos page or by contacting the eLearning team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

Minimum Technical Skills Expected:

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage.

This particular course may require students to have increased computer skills for working in the Aurora Toolset. While advanced computer skills (like programming) are not required, they can be helpful for the course. An understanding of how computers process data is useful, as is an understanding of file types, and a minimal knowledge of computer graphics requirements.

Technical Support Services:

Because of the nature of distance education courses, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) computing and information services are vital to the success of online students. This webpage covers contact information for Distance Education Services (Blackboard Support), the OIT Help Desk, and E-mail support: Technical Support Services.

Web Conferences/Synchronous sessions:

If you need to discuss your grades or get help from the instructor, you may schedule a virtual meeting. These virtual meetings will be held through Blackboard Collaborate. You must request a meeting via email (thomas.brown@tamiu.edu) at least 24 business hours in advance and offer suggested times when you are available. I will do my best to accommodate your schedule, within reason, and I will email you a link to the Collaborate virtual meeting. Meetings should be scheduled for Mondays through Thursdays.

Grading Scale/Schema:

In determining the final course grade, the following scale is used in point value.
•    900+ = A
•    800-899 = B
•    700-799 = C
•    600-699 = D
•    599 or below = F
 

Rubrics:

Rubrics are available online in the course content in the Resources course module. Note: for the most part, I use the standard WIN Rubric.

Course Evaluation:

At the end of this course, students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation that will be distributed to them via email and through a course link on Blackboard.

Turnitin Policy Or Other Types of Assignments in Other Systems:

Students may turn in Turnitin or Drop Box assignments in DOC, DOCX, or PDF formats. Do NOT use Pages format.

For the Final Games Project assignment (Writing Assignment 4), students should submit a .MOD document from NWN:EE.

Proctoring:

Please see the section titled "Exam:" up above. This course's Final Exam will be through Respondus LockDown Browser with Monitor (web cam required).

Accessibility and Privacy Statements on Course Technologies:

At Texas A&M International University, we believe that all students should have equal technology opportunities in the classroom. These technologies/sites may also require user data, such as the creation of a username and password. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of the technologies used in this class on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.

In this class, we will utilize: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Blackboard, Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition, and possibly Steam.

Syllabus Subject to Change:

While information and assurances are provided in this course syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and that events beyond the control of the instructor could occur. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that will produce syllabus changes.