The Game Mechanics I course at Full Sail University introduced students to the techniques used in understanding their future game projects, how to design and balance them iteratively, investigate various player segments, and employ play-testing methodologies. This course emphasizes design from a problem-solving point of view.
Course Director
What Paul Built
• Designed the Game Mechanics I curriculum from the ground up, including
all assignments, assessments, lab exercises, and grading rubrics.
• Developed original assignments structured around
real design problems rather than theoretical exercises (for example, changing an existing design to adapt to a new platform.)
• Created assessment methods that measured design thinking, not just
deliverables.
How Paul Taught
• Maintained both campus and online sections simultaneously, adapting
hands-on design exercises for asynchronous delivery.
• Redesigned the entire GMCI, a hands-on, playtesting-intensive course, to fully asynchronous on-line delivery during COVID-19
within one week.
• Mentored students individually through design obstacles.