Evolution of Video Games

Content

The course looks into console, computer, virtual reality and mobile games - their evolution, hardware, innovations and examples. In the course you travel the evolution story of a video game together with fellow students and guided by a motivated instructor. Every week there is video material straight from the LVLup! museum in Tallinn and the Delta Center in Tartu that accompany brief written materials. Based on the topic covered there are creative exercises like playing and analyzing games, creating your own video, expressing your ideas in an essay and even participating in an organized debate.

You learn what has made some game designs and mechanics stand the test of time, the principles developed during 5 decades of video game development, the ways people use to make money with their games and even what the future brings in terms of graphical and interaction improvements like in virtual reality.

Learning outcomes

After passing this course, the student:

• Has acquired solid understanding about video games and their design, which can motivate them to further delve into the game development field.
• Can pinpoint the exact events that led to changes in modern video games and their business.
• Is familiar with important historical video game hardware and technologies.
• Knows about, can explain, analyze and discuss influential changes and key events in the evolution of video games, their design, game controllers, market and business practices.

Teaching methods

The course is 100% web-based and can be completed asynchronously.

The course consists of pre-recorded online lectures and weekly homework tasks. It allows you to learn on your own schedule, yet you must complete tasks during a one-week period.

Programme

Topics to be covered:

1. What is a Video Game?
   Where did the term "video game" come from? What are video game consoles and how have they evolved?
2. First Video Games, First Gameplays
   What were the first video games created? How did they affect the following upcoming games of that time? Where and when were these games available?
3. Video Game Genres and Target Audiences
   What genres do people use to classify games? How Bartle pinpointed the video game player desires
4. Video Game Lifespan
   What affects a video game's lifespan? What are the effects that various game difficulties and cheat codes have on a video game lifespan?
5. Controller Evolution and Virtual Reality
   What are the innovative changes and breakthroughs that helped shape today's video game controllers and accessories?
6. Video Game Marketing
   How were video games marketed back in the day? What were the key strategies used to promote a video game? How has piracy affected the gaming industry?
7. Video Game Dematerialization
   What steps were taken in the process of achieving video game dematerialization? How was the market affected?
8. Video Game User Experience (UX)
   What does a game designer think when they design their game's user experience? What groundbreaking mechanics and innovations shaped today's video game development?
9. 3D Graphics
   When were 3D graphics first implemented to computer games? What were the key changes in computer game graphics over time?
10. Mobile Games
    What were the first mobile games? How have mobile games changed since? What is the state of today's mobile gaming market?

Assessment

Grade format: non-differentiated (pass, fail, not present)

The course includes six multiple-choice tests, each worth 5 points. The maximum total number of points that can be earned from the tests is 30 points. Three of the tests are substituted with a learning game. The tests and the learning game test for factual knowledge and analytical thinking.
The course includes an academic debate that lasts for four weeks and can earn up to 20 points.
The course has seven homework tasks. These include essays, a video, a thought cloud, coming up with a game design, etc. Each homework is worth 10 points. The maximum total number of points for homework is 70 points.

Lecturers

Mark Muhhin

Course dates

This course takes place in the second semester of the academic year 2025-2026. It starts in the second week of February, 09.02.2026.
This is a 100% self-learning course with weekly homework deadlines. Info on course schedule is available HERE.

Entry requirements: none

For application, please use this form. Apply by January 26, 2026.

Students from all ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate. The University of Tartu will select the permitted number of students and inform the admitted students as soon as possible. 

Before applying, please check with your home faculty or programme whether the course can be integrated into your curriculum to ensure recognition of the credits obtained. Students from Ghent University need to obtain faculty approval by filling this form and have it signed by Faculty Student Administration.

Information per university

• University of the Basque Country:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Bern:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Bordeaux:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• Comenius University Bratislava:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• University of Galway:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Ghent University:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see also the Virtual Mobility page for students
• University of Groningen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Göttingen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Tartu:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., check the virtual courses page for more information
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Mark Muhhin: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.