This course is an exploration of the popular video game League of Legends through a variety of lenses, including gameplay, eSports, and psychology. Students will study the nuances of this complex and cultural phenomenon in class by analyzing professional-level games and through weekly homework assignments that help them improve their own play.
To prepare for the final project, students will learn how to solve a problem using discrete linear optimization systems, and will apply this knowledge to the challenge presented in the case study of League of Legends. In addition to this, they will use crowdsourced data (available online) and quantitative analysis to answer an original research question within the context of League of Legends, as well as study the competitive scene in order to apply trends from international play styles to their own gameplay.
Throughout the semester, students will become proficient in the fundamentals of League of Legends, and will be able to apply this knowledge to their own gameplay through weekly homework assignments. This will allow them to understand the underlying structure of the game, and will enable them to make better decisions in-game. In addition, this knowledge will allow them to apply advanced strategies that will help them climb to a higher level in the game. These skills will be useful both for future gaming experiences and for life outside of the Rift. 롤대리