Undergraduate students: Write an essay of 3-5 pages on a particular digital game that you're familiar with or currently exploring. Analyze this game from a theoretical point of view following the topics we have discussed in class related to game theory and design.

Things that you can cover in the paper:

• type of world (implicit/explicit/zone)
• game tokens/objects/characters,
• the rules (various types of rules),
• the goal,
• formal / informal strategies
• social aspects of the game,
• symbolism in the game,
• positive/negative aspects of the game design or implementation.

Graduate students: Write a 4-7 pages essay paper on a topic related to games. You can explore one aspect of games or game playing of your choice as seen in a variety of games, such as HUDs, the use of VR equipment or other such devices, storyline influence on games, etc. You can also examine the use of games for specific purposes, such as education, health care, training, collective problem-solving.

Structure. A few guidelines for organizing and formatting your paper:

• Spacing no less than 1.15 pts and no more than 1.5 pts. Font base at 11 or 12 pts, titles can be bigger.
• Your paper should have a title, author mention, and a few major sections with titles. Use a format for them that helps them stand out, such as bold or italics.
• Section titles should be aligned left with no indentation and numbered, such as 1. Introduction. Their format should be consistent through the paper. The paper should have at least an introduction and conclusion sections.
• No paragraph should be longer than half a page.
• A section title should not be the last thing on a page. Move it to the top of the next page if that happens.
• You should cite the references you use and list them at the end of the paper. Do not set them on a separate page, but keep them continuous in the text.
• The title and references should be continuous in the text (no separate pages for them). If your paper only has the minimum number of pages, the last page should not contain only references.
• Each reference should be cited somewhere in the text.
• If you have figures and tables, number them and add captions to them: for images below the image, for tables above the table.
• Each table and figure should be cited somewhere in the text.
• The style is your choice but it should be consistent, including the references.

Presentation. We'll reserve the dates of Wednesday, October 19, and Monday, October 24 for presentations (5-7 minutes). Sign up for the topic and the preferred presentation day on Canvas, in Discussions.