CSC 171: Homework #3

Description

Select a video game and write a 1250 word evaluation of it. You can choose a casual online game, console game, or popular PC game. Your evaluation must include the following major topics:

1. Game Rules (250 words)
   1. Is the game a game of progression, emergence, or both. Justify your answer.
   2. How does uncertainty appear in the game? Is it used effectively?
   3. Does the game use information hiding or revealing systems?
   4. Does the game use Negative or Positive Feedback Loops? Describe how.
2. Game Play (500 words)
   1. What is the game's core mechanic?
   2. Describe the goal of the game and major subgoals.
   3. How does the game condition players? (Negative, Positive, and punishment)
   4. Discuss the following in terms of the game's narrative.
      1. Environment
      2. Conflict
      3. Descriptors
      4. Fictional World
3. Meaningful Play (250 words)
   1. Game States
   2. Game Transitions
   3. Complexity
   4. Probability
   5. How do the player's choices affect short and long term outcomes?
4. Conclusion (250 words)
   1. Is this a good game?
   2. Explain why or why not.

Deliverables

Your paper should contain 1250 words. You must incorporate the concepts dicussed in class to get a passing grade on this assignment. In your writeup, please divide your paper into sections using the major topics enumerated above.

This assignment is due Feb 25.

Assessment

This assignment is an indepth analysis of a game. You are required to discuss many of the concepts learned in class/reading as they relate to the game you are evaluating. Your homework will be assessed in the following way:

• Wrting Quality (3pts)
• Demonstrated knowledge of game rules (4pts)
• Demonstrated knowledge of game play (4pts)
• Thoroughness (3pts)