Theory of Digital Games (Master’s)

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

The second stage of the digital game theory study program is aimed at deepening the knowledge and skills acquired during the bachelor's degree. Graduates of the field of media and communication studies in the study program of digital game theory are equipped with a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and experience at the 2nd level of the master's degree, on the basis of which they are professionally prepared and competent to critically analyze the production of digital games using adequate scientific research methods. Graduates can assess the degree of acceptability of the influence of sociocultural, psychological, didactic and technological factors in the creation of digital games and know how to process and incorporate them into the concept and project, and are able to assess the impact of digital games on the formation of the sociocultural environment and the psychology of individuals, as well as the expected effects and impacts of advertising , educational, educational, popularizing or entertaining digital games. They know how to take a critical approach to the evaluation of digital games and are able to assess them from a review or journalistic point of view.

Graduates are also prepared to work independently, but also as a team in the design and programming of digital games in cyberspace, but also in real live conditions, so they know how to work together in a team - in teamwork with specialized authors - experts in the creation and implementation of digital games, submit documents for decisions regarding the promotion and distribution of digital games and to manage and organize all kinds of communication activities in relation to the internal and external environment. Graduates can manage the design and production process of digital games and should also have high competences and experience in the areas of artistic graphics creation, digital graphics, graphic design based on the latest technologies (2D, 3D animation, special light effects, textures, object modeling, projecting and virtual environment animation) and create sound tracks in digital games, i.e. j. compose sound using digital technologies, change surround sound, register voice transformations, control and implement procedures for the creation of sound components within the framework of production and post-production work, if they prefer this specialization in the production of digital games.

a) Theoretical knowledge

After successfully completing the second degree of digital game theory studies, the graduate becomes more deeply oriented not only in the creation of products of the digital game industry, but above all in the area of designing a unique culture, which is a secondary manifestation (product) of this industry and is thus spread in the subcultural, local , as well as on a global scale. He knows how to identify the subcultural environment and cultural phenomena, knows their attributes and characteristics and can communicate with them. In addition to a broad overview in the field of media and communication studies, the graduate is an expert in game studies, in participatory culture and in the field of fan studies, while understanding the use of this knowledge in marketing communication and in the production of digital games, but also in a critical approach to the production system and a product of popular culture. The graduate can think in context, which means that he/she is able to assume and objectively evaluate the individual laws of the functioning of digital games, not only from a psychological and sociological point of view, but also in broader connections to contemporary philosophy, the current production of mass and media culture . The graduate also has a broad overview not only of the global, but also of the local game market and developers, not only on a theoretical level, but also on a practical-experience level. The graduate's profile is also complemented by the ability to observe and investigate digital games from a theoretical and empirical point of view, through a range of qualitative and quantitative methods that are standardly used in digital game research. The graduate also knows the basics of didactics necessary for the use of games in the educational process and thus also the gamification of educational activities.

Master's degree graduate:

has deep cross-sectional knowledge in the specialized field of game journalism, including knowledge of contexts and relationships with related fields, especially audiovisual, auditory journalism, print and web journalism,
has broad knowledge of specific areas of media philosophy such as ontology, epistemology, axiology, anthropology and media ethics, masters the methodology used in media philosophy,
knows and understands the methods and procedures used in research in media and communication studies and knows how to analyze and synthesize theoretical knowledge and is aware of the limits of this knowledge,
he orients himself in the subcultures of the players and knows how, through adequate research methods, to investigate the specific needs, attitudes and expectations of fans, to investigate the specific needs, attitudes and expectations of fans,
knows the sociocultural and psychological contexts of the behavior and actions of the gaming community, including their gaming preferences,
critically analyzes the products of the digital game industry with regard to its local and global attributes and characteristics,
has a broad overview of the past and present of the Czech and Slovak game market,
has basic didactic knowledge,
able to place game media and platforms in the context of mass, popular and media culture,
is able to carry out a systematic analysis and reflexive analysis of digital games.

b) Practical abilities and skills

During the second stage of study, the graduate acquires skills necessary for his/her further work in the game industry, but also in adjacent media industries. The graduate is able to approach the creation of digital games from the point of view of all phases of the creation of a game product, from the idea to the activities related to the post-production of games. He can design a marketing plan for a digital game, taking into account the specific needs of this product, and he can communicate effectively with a fan, or target group. Within the process of creating games, he can involve various creative procedures, from the point of view of various branches of production. The graduate knows 2D, 3D, vector graphics and is able to create concept art. In addition, he masters the basics of algorithmization as an advanced development tool for digital games. He also knows how to evaluate the contribution of suitable music to a digital game and has the prerequisites to create music and sounds for digital game media. The graduate has experience working on a long-term project, on the basis of which he/she is able to work on the client's assignments and communicate the project in a team. After completing the second level of study, he can think about digital games to such an extent that he is able to create basic journalistic content (texts, audio and audiovisual content) and game-themed genres, and also act as an authority on game streams in audiovisual form, especially in segment of e-sports. In the field of electronic sports, he can perform not only in the position of a player, but also has the kind of experience that moves him in the team and predestines him for the functional position of coach.

Master's degree graduate:

He masters the procedures of news and journalistic coverage of games on various media platforms.
It has a gaming experience created with important local digital games of the past and present.
Can apply knowledge about games to the educational process in formal and informal education.
He masters the creative processes of creating digital games.
In the field of game production, he specializes in graphics, sound, or digital game development.
It also controls the post-production procedures that are applied after the release of the game project.
He is an expert in the marketing communication of digital games.

c) Additional knowledge, abilities and skills

Predominantly compulsory optional subjects are oriented towards the development of soft skills, while the master's degree graduate has the opportunity to have his own game development project, which he can turn into a business project.

Graduate of the second, master's degree of study:

Can effectively communicate requirements, problems and challenges within the team and towards third parties.
He knows how to work effectively in a team based on his personality characteristics.
Has basic organizational skills related to work, time and project management and can lead a team.
He has experience working on long-term projects. ● Can find a solution to the problem that has arisen.
He controls the work ethic.
Can engage critical and creative thinking.
Can communicate in a foreign language.

APPLICATION OF GRADUATES

ACCEPTANCE CONDITIONS

Do you have questions about the study program? Ask its main guarantor

prof. PhDr. Hana Pravdová, PhD.

hana.pravdova@ucm.sk