Game Journal: Game Analysis and Experience Playing Them

What is it?

This is a personal gaming journal on the course Canvas. Play three games of different genres and write a journal analyzing the games and your experience.



Each game needs its own section, but you can compare and contrast the games, or analyze them as separate experiences. All 3 games will be submitted in one paper.



What is the purpose?

The purpose of the gaming journal is to not only get you playing more games and a larger variety of games, but also to be more introspective about your playtime. This is a project based on growth and mastery. We want it to be fun and see that you have improved your knowledge of gaming and have experimented with your perception of it.



What do I need to include in it?



I recommend starting off with a look at yourself as a player: What do you like about your chosen games? What elements did you avoid? Talk about the game theme, mechanics, and art style as well as your emotional experience while playing. Adding pictures from the games you played, how long you played, how it related to the week's course content, what you felt, or even a traditional "ratings" scale are good elements to include.



Grading

What are we looking for?

Because this is a project we are giving you quite a bit of freedom on, your journal does not have to look like any of your classmates. You should look to have a couple of paragraphs of text/bullet points, minus any pictures included. Again, we're looking for quality, not quantity, but if effort is lacking, we might challenge you to be more thorough in your logs. Your writing should be proofread, this is still a professional project after all.



Playtime

You should be looking to include a mix of games, including the following: play new games, that is, games you have not tried before. You may also note and play some old games, but if you do so, I advise you to try something unique, like a challenge run, and compare it to your normal play through. Try different types of games: download steam, look at indie games on itch.io, try some free mobile games, join a board game night or organize one with your classmates or friends.