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MMCC1001 – Introduction to Video Games Studies

2025 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rowan Tulloch
rowan.tulloch@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Video games are one of the most important media forms of the 21st century. Simultaneously art, entertainment, and technology, they offer rich and varied experiences for players. This unit introduces students to the analysis of video games and the academic discipline of video game studies. Students will learn to critically analyse games and articulate the cultural significance of gaming. This unit will focus on the key disciplinary frameworks needed to explore the history, politics, and persuasive mechanics of a variety of game genres and types from blockbuster bestsellers to small independent releases.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of video games studies theories and practices.
  • ULO2: Communicate a range of ideas clearly and effectively in a variety of media forms.
  • ULO3: Identify and analyse different disciplinary approaches to video game analysis.
  • ULO4: Apply game design skills and methodologies.

General Assessment Information

Late Penalties

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Game Design Task 30% No 14/09/2025
Theoretical engagement task 20% No 19/10/2025
Major Essay 50% No 02/11/2025

Game Design Task

Assessment Type 1: Design Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: 14/09/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will write a game design document and rationale applying concepts from unit readings and lecture material.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of video games studies theories and practices.
  • Communicate a range of ideas clearly and effectively in a variety of media forms.
  • Identify and analyse different disciplinary approaches to video game analysis.
  • Apply game design skills and methodologies.

Theoretical engagement task

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 19/10/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will demonstrate knowledge of, and ability to apply, concepts from unit readings and lecture material.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of video games studies theories and practices.
  • Identify and analyse different disciplinary approaches to video game analysis.

Major Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 57 hours
Due: 02/11/2025
Weighting: 50%

 

Students write an essay critically analysing a video game or game community of their choosing. It must build upon, critique and/or extend the argument of one or more of the unit readings. It must also use academic theory from beyond the unit to support the argument. Students must identify the key theoretical ideas and assumptions associated with their chosen reading and apply them to the chosen game/community. 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of video games studies theories and practices.
  • Communicate a range of ideas clearly and effectively in a variety of media forms.
  • Identify and analyse different disciplinary approaches to video game analysis.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Lectures: MMCC1001 does not have live lectures. The lectures for MMCC1001 are video-recordings available online through iLearn. Students are expected to engage with lectures and to actively relate lecture content to tutorial discussions and assessments. 

Tutorials: Tutorials are online or on-campus depending on enrollment. Please see the timetable for further information.

Participation in tutorial activities and in-class exercises form an integral part of MMCC1001. Students are expected to arrive/login punctually and actively participate in class work. A roll will be taken at the beginning of each class. If students arrive over 15 minutes late for a tutorial, they will be deemed absent for that class.

Tutorials begin in Week 1

Required and recommended texts and/or materials: The readings for this unit will be accessible through iLearn.

Technologies used: The iLearn site for MMCC1001 is accessible at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. A computer and internet access are required to complete assessments in MMCC1001.

Assessment Submission: All assignments for MMCC1001 will be completed/submitted online, via iLearn. Further details on submission will be explained in tutorials.

Return of marked work: Marked work will be returned to students through iLearn.

Consultation: By appointment only

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.02 of the Handbook