PROD387-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026

Special Topic

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 May 2026

Description

Special Topic

Special Topic: Game Level Design

Exploration of concepts in the planning, implementation, and testing of spaces and environments for games and interactive media.

Level Design is the art of working within the systems of a game to create interesting experiences for the player. Usually, this means creating virtual spaces that the player can move through, but level design is broad enough to encompass any time that you are crafting a specific player experience around an existing system of rules (for example: creating a specific set of enemies that players will encounter in an RPG, or creating a specific shuffle of the deck to make a round of Solitaire easier or more difficult for the player).

In this class, you gain significant experience in level design and will also experience lectures on more general game design that were not able to fit into prior classes.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
● Understand and apply principles of level design within the context of game development.
● Gain experience working within a level spec and turning existing game mechanics into a player experience.
● Learn more about the theory of game design.
● Develop digital, playable levels using modern game engines.
● Build experience in both running playtests and giving good feedback as a playtester.

Prerequisites

Subject to the approval of the Head of School.

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 11:00 Rehua 002 Lectorial
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 26 Apr
4 May - 31 May
Computer Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 11:00 - 13:00 Len Lye 201 Computer Lab 2
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Workshop A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 13:00 - 15:00 Len Lye 201 Computer Lab 2
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May

Course Coordinator

Jeremy Bond

Course Administrator

Alison Lowery

Assessment

Level Design Projects: (Project topics may be altered)
- Project 1 – Portal 2: 15%
- Project 2 – 2D Level: 15%
- Project 3 – 3D Platformer: 15%
- Project 4 – Unreal ALS Project: 15%

Playtests and Feedback to Peers – You must pass this assessment to pass the class: 20%
Quizzes & Class Participation – Includes presence in class: 10%
Final Portfolio Presentation: 10%

Notes

Prerequisites
PROD121 or permission of the instructor.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $948.00

International fee $4,263.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Product Design on the departments and faculties page .

All PROD387 Occurrences

  • PROD387-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026
  • PROD387-26X (C) General non-calendar-based 2026 - Not Offered
  • PROD387-26W (C) Whole Year 2026 - Not Offered