Game Design Systems: Mechanics, Loops, and Balance - Syllabus\n\nDuration: 12 weeks\nFormat: Project-based design course\n\nWeek 1: Foundations - MDA, Systems Thinking, and Feedback Loops\nWeek 2: Core Loops and the Loop Diagram\nWeek 3: Player Motivation and Engagement\nWeek 4: Mechanics Design and Verb Combinatorics\nWeek 5: Systems and Economies\nWeek 6: Progression Systems and Curves\nWeek 7: Balance Fundamentals\nWeek 8: Difficulty and Player Skill Curves\nWeek 9: Randomness, Risk, and Probability\nWeek 10: Data-Driven Design in Godot\nWeek 11: Playtesting for Balance and Systems\nWeek 12: Documentation, Final Polish, and itch.io Release\n\nDeliverables:\n- Weekly systems design exercises\n- Playtest notes and balance iteration logs\n- Final polished prototype with documentation\n