[SOUND] [LAUGH] Oh, yeah. Sounds like you had a crazy weekend. Well, looks like my friends are here. I gotta get going. Bye. See you later. Hello, and welcome to an Introduction to Game Design. My name is Fran Krause. I'm a professor at the California Institute of the Arts. In this course, we'll be game designers. We'll be talking about the structures and mechanics behind your favorite games. What makes them work? What makes them fun? How they can tell stories, and how they can be improved. We'll also be making our own games, trying them out, and making them better. Don't worry if you're not experienced in computer programming. This course doesn't require any specialized programs or equipment. All our assignments can be done with a pencil and paper. This is because we're gonna be focusing on the creative decisions a game designer makes. While they're making a game. After all, these creative decisions, like who is your hero, what's their quest? What challenges will they meet along the way? These are the questions, which, when answered creatively. Can make your game fun and allow you to connect with your players. This course is the first in a four course series about video games that we're making here at CalArts. We'll be focusing on the elements of game design in this course. And in others, we'll be learning about world design, character design and storytelling. The goal of all four classes is to help you make a game design document. A text that you can use to describe your game to yourself and the world. I have to admit, this is my first time recording an online class. And I'm a little bit nervous about talking to a camera. I'm used to teaching with all my students around. So, luckily an old friend of mine has volunteered to stand by the camera. And give me a little encouragement. Thanks Buddy. >> No problem Fran. >> Great so let's make some games.