ENGL 294Introduction to Critical Game Studies
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- English
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course introduces students to the field of humanities-based game studies. Topics may include the debate between ludological (rules-based) and narratological (story-based) approaches, procedural studies, platform and software studies, gamification, games and adaptation studies, and games as rhetorical objects.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7468 | 0 / 15 | T 13:00–14:20 |
| LEC 701 | 8191 | 17 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
73% liked it70% easy40% useful
From 11 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Took this course when it was taught by Giuseppe Femia - absolute worst experience in my 5 years at this university. I'm sure this class is fine taught by others, but avoid it like the plague if you see his name!
Jun 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Took this in person with Marcel. Great professor who's very passionate about the subject matter. Grading scheme was fair (2 essays, 5 very short game logs, and one group project), and extensions were given if needed. Some readings were assigned but they weren't terribly long and could be skipped if really pressed for time.
Jan 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
It was not very interesting. There are lots of readings on topics that are only tangentially related to video games, like what "tactical media" is or the definition of "flow". Video games seemed less of a focus in this course than just media and technology in general. If you want to discuss the video games that you like, you may find this course disappointing.
Aug 2016 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
8 posts and comments in 7 threads mention ENGL 294, March 2016 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2022
INCOMING FIRST YEAR: Major in English (and Creative Writing) at UTSC or Waterloo? 4 points, 8 comments
“heya, base situation: i just accepted my offer to waterloo, but im still sorta considering utsc since i like their campus (its smaller/easier to navigate than uw), big library, and there's a …”
u/Lil-Shiro: “… If you’re interested in video game writing we have a couple of video game topic courses such as engl 294 (Introduction to Critical Game Studies). …”
Fall 2020
Tfw I can play Celeste all day and pretend I am studying because it’s a mandatory game to play in the course 57 points, 9 comments
u/tendstofortytwo: “what course OP WHAT COURSE”
u/tendstofortytwo: “Thanks! UW Flow says it's ENGL 294 now, they might have changed course codes.”
Spring 2018
What are the similarities and differences between CO 456 and ENGL 294? 4 points, 5 comments
u/WATERLOOInveRelyToi: “They are both about studying games but they're in different departments so they're probably somewhat different.”
u/angerygoosepopo: “… ENGL 294 is game studies, which is more about video game narratives and the video game industry. They are two completely different areas of study. …”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 210I ENGL 210J ENGL 211 ENGL 213 ENGL 220A ENGL 251A ENGL 272W ENGL 281W ENGL 292 ENGL 293 ENGL 294 ENGL 295 ENGL 305A ENGL 306A ENGL 309B ENGL 309C ENGL 310B ENGL 320 ENGL 335 ENGL 347 ENGL 362 ENGL 365 ENGL 366 ENGL 371 ENGL 378 ENGL 392A ENGL 408B ENGL 430B ENGL 451B ENGL …”
Winter 2016
im passionate about my hobbies, but I cant make them into a career 4 points, 35 comments
“I love writing. Writing, reading, history, and literature are the only things I've ever been passionate about. …”
u/shimmyaway: “… interested in IoT, digital media, and the like, there are some nice English courses (see ENGL 293, 294, and 295) There's also the Rhetoric and Literature degree, which is another Honours English option. Lots of great options there too. …”
Does Waterloo offer any courses related to game design/graphics? 0 points, 7 comments
“Other than the CS 488 course of course. Also, i found this image on the website …”
u/valryuu: “… - ENGL 294 Game Studies: This course introduces students to the field of humanities-based game studies. …”
looking for a fun elective courses in spring 2016! 6 points, 22 comments
“hi, I'm a cs student who's looking for an elective course for next term. After failing to enroll to SPCOM100, SPCOM223 and JAPAN101 because all the spots are reserved (wtf how am i supposed to …”
u/shimmyaway: “… I'm taking ENGL 294 this term, which is "Game Studies." I'm pretty excited about that course. I'm still uhh not 100% sure what it's about since it's a new course, but I like what it says so far. Specifically based on my own experience: MUSIC140 - Popular Music and Culture. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them