Course Title: Design games

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: COSC5948C

Course Title: Design games

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6087 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teachers: Arthur Michalopoulos
Phone: 9925 4111
Email: arthur.michalopoulos@rmit.edu.au

Jeanie Hague-Smith
jeanie.hague-smith@rmit.edu.au

 



 

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit of competency is delivered in the class Games 3. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to Design Games in the pre-production stage. Tasks will involve the research, design and understanding of games – both non digital and digital. Aspects such as design, game play, level maps, as well as team logs and organizational structures will be considered.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFDIG504A Design games

Element:

1 Identify project requirements.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Confirm the objective and desired outcomes of a game proposal or brief in consultation with relevant personnel.
1.2 Identify factors that may have an impact on how a game is designed.
1.3 Clarify target audience to determine format and delivery platform of the game through discussion with relevant personnel.
 

Element:

2 Research games and generate ideas.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Select state of the art games from different genres to play as a source of inspiration.
2.2 Search game literature for each game and identify the games' objectives.
2.3 Generate range of ideas for game designs that are technically feasible, respond to the proposal or brief, and provide creative solutions to design issues.
2.4 Discuss ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant personnel to ensure contribution of a range of ideas and creative solutions to initial concepts.

Element:

3 Select a game genre.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify and present a range of game genres to relevant personnel for consideration in terms of their characteristics, differences and ability to meet requirements of proposal or brief.
3.2 Consult with relevant personnel to ensure that a full range of genres has been identified and sourced.
3.3 Select the game genre that best meets the creative, technical and production requirements of proposal or brief.
 

Element:

4 Draft game design document.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Establish the game strategy outcomes.
4.2 Use design techniques to develop the structure of a game ensuring that all elements, including style and game mechanics are fully documented.
4.3 Use a range of criteria to determine the scope of a prototype to be used in the development phase.
4.4 Ensure that the prototype selected is capable of testing the effectiveness of the proposed game.
4.5 Include a register of game assets in consultation with relevant personnel.
4.6 Present draft game design document for discussion with and feedback from other team members.
 

Element:

5 Finalise game design document.

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Re-evaluate game design objectives on the basis of feedback on the prototype and draft game design document.
5.2 Discuss and confirm additional requirements or modifications to the game design with relevant personnel.
5.3 Specify the game production specifications, including appropriate testing strategies.
5.4 Write final game design document to reflect all additional requirements or modifications.


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to establish project parameters, research game genres, plan and structure gaming products whilst drafting and finalising game design documents.


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
* lectures
* peer teaching and class presentations
* group discussion
* teacher feedback
* online research
* independent project based work
* teacher directed group activities/projects
* workshopping of students’ own projects

Out of class activities include, but are not limited to:
* online research
* work shopping
* independent project based work


Teaching Schedule

Week         Class Content     Assessment due date 
Week 1 Introduction
What is a game? Rules and restrictions
Activity: Making simple games on paper that can be played in groups
                                        
Week 2

 

Activity: Making simple games on paper that can be played in groups, based on creating a game that can be played in a group by adapting a current computer game – and researching the genre)

Class presentation/discussion & critique of game

Introduction to assessment task 1

 
Week 3 Introduction to assessment task 2 &
Discussions for document criteria, such as visual designs, maps, final art, influences from different genres, organizational structure and production log etc. Work on assessment task 2
This will be an individual design only project
Assessment task 1: Game review (ungraded, individual submission) 
Week 4

Continue working on assessment task 2 in preparation of the submission in week 5 This will include class discussions and reviews

 
Week 5 Presentations of Assessment task 2: Game Design 1: Convert a painting into a simple game

Introduction & work on assessment task 3: Convert a film into a simple game (un-graded assessment)
This will be a group project (Will be produced into a working prototype in Interactive 3 “Design Digital Simulations”)

Assessment task 2: Game Design 1:Develop an image into a simple game (ungraded, individual submission)  
Week 6 Continue working on assessment task 3- paying close attention to the division of labour in the team and the development of a production log  
Week 7 Continue working on assessment task 3- paying close attention to concept, gameplay, flow chart and graphics – Include group discussions, evaluations and log entry  
Week 8 Continue working on assessment task 3- paying close attention to concept, gameplay, flow chart and graphics – Include group discussions, evaluations and log entry and identification of issues and overall areas of improvement  
Week 9 Finalize Game Document for assessment task 3 in preparation for submission in week 10  
Week 10  Presentation of assessment task 3 class discussion and feedback Assessment task 3: Game Design 2: Develop a film into a simple game (graded, group submission)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Internet


References

None


Other Resources

Extensive use of web for research as required.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.


Assessment Tasks

This semester, a series of tasks primarily involving the research, design and understanding of games – both non digital and digital. Aspects such as design, game play, level maps, as well as team logs and organizational structures will be considered - with on-going process of presentation, feedback and critique – in the context of peer discussion in class. The following assessments will be completed either as individual submission or as a group submission

Assessment tasks in this course are either Ungraded or graded

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete each of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard.  You will receive feedback on all assessments and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for Assessment Task 3  (refer to MyRMIT for grading rubric).

You will need to complete ALL assessments to be deemed competent in this course
 

Assessment task 1: Game review (ungraded, individual submission) Due: Week 3

(Refer to assignment brief for details)

Assessment task 2: Game Design 1: Develop an image into a simple game (ungraded, individual submission) Due: Week 5

(Refer to assignment brief for details)

Assessment task 3: Game Design 2:Develop a film into a simple game (graded, group submission) Due:Week 10

(Refer to assignment brief for details)

NB Assessment task 3 is a joint project between Games 3 and Interactive 3 (Design Digital Simulations CUFDIG507A COSC-5947C) – where it will be developed into a fully realised flash game by the end of semester 1

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:

CHD    Competent with High Distinction
CDI      Competent with Distinction
CC       Competent with Credit
CAG     Competency Achieved - graded
NYC     Not Yet Competent
DNS     Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: www.rmit.edu.au/students

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.


Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.


Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.

Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.


Student Progress (web link)
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.


Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you will need to apply for special consideration.


Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity.
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview