Course Title: Write story and content for digital games
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2020
Course Code: COMM7352C
Course Title: Write story and content for digital games
Important Information:
This course will be delivered through face-to-face classes, interaction with industry mentors, and the learning support material and resources in Canvas.
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
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
Teacher:
Sandra Gallagher
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
Enrolment in this elective course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.
Course Description
In this course you learn and practise the skills of writing for interactive and digital games. You will write plot synopses and background stories, and develop, write and test scripts and related content consistent with the game design brief and the client requirements.
This course addresses the following units of competency, clustered for delivery and assessment:
- ICTGAM405 Write story and content for digital games
- ICTGAM407 Write scripts for interactive games
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ICTGAM405 Write story and content for digital games |
Element: |
1. Identify and develop storylines with game potential |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify potential storylines for game development, to current industry standards and regulations 1.2 Modify and enhance storylines to suit the game environment 1.3 Determine the appropriate game genre |
Element: |
2. Write the plot synopsis and background story |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Determine character profiles 2.2 Develop environment profiles consistent with the storyline 2.3 Develop the background story 2.4 Develop the initial plot profile 2.5 Develop plot synopsis and options, and link to specific game levels |
Element: |
3. Develop story components |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Source the initial concept artwork 3.2 Develop level specifications and storylines 3.3 Initiate the development of storyboards showing plot development, cinematic and level outlines |
Element: |
4. Finalise story components for inclusion in the game design brief |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Seek feedback on the story and concept 4.2 Finalise the story concept, profiles and other specifications for inclusion in the game design brief |
Learning Outcomes
By taking this course, you'll acquire the skills required to respond to a game design brief and develop storylines and scripts for interactive games.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- lectures
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- class exercises
2. Out-of-class activities:
- independent project based work
- writing and reading assignments
- online and other research
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
Please note: this syllabus may change according to class requirements
Week |
Date |
Content |
Assessment due |
Elements |
1 |
Jul 10 |
Briefing re course content, Mysteries of Mataranka concept |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
2 |
Jul 17 |
Discussion of game genres |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
3 |
Jul 24 |
Budgeting and scheduling |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
4 |
Jul 31 |
Game development, game research |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2 |
5 |
Aug 7 |
Game story and content testing Powerpoint skills |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2 |
6 |
Aug 14 |
Narrative tools and environment profiles |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2 |
7 |
Aug 21 |
Supervised knowledge assessment |
Assessment Task 1 due |
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3 |
8 |
Aug 28 |
Game genres, structures and formats |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3 |
|
Mid-semester break: Monday 31 August - Friday 4 September inclusive |
|
|
|
9 |
Sep 11 |
Script narrative and player engagement Script formatting |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
10 |
Sep 18 |
Presentations |
Assessment Task 2 due |
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
11 |
Sep 25 |
Researching competitors’ work Copyright and intellectual property used in the development of games Storyboarding techniques |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
12 |
Oct 2 |
Refining your key story components via script synopsis Game design brief and client requirements |
|
ICTGAM405 1 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
13 |
Oct 9 |
Scripting level/mission stories Complete storyboards Script feedback |
|
ICTGAM405 1, 2 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
14 |
Oct 16 |
Focus group testing, revisions (if required), final presentations |
Assessment Task 3 due |
ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
15 |
Oct 23 |
No scheduled class: semester review TBC |
|
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and the application of learned skills and insights into your writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.
Assessment 1: Knowledge questions
Due: Week 7 (21 Aug)
This assessment is a short-answer knowledge assessment designed to assess your knowledge required to identify and develop storylines, write plot synopses and background stories, and to develop story components for interactive digital games.
Assessment 2: Presentation
Due: Week 10 (18 Sep)
For this task you are required to respond to the client design brief and identify and develop storylines, write plot synopses and background stories, and to develop story components for interactive digital games for a client brief (class teacher will play the role of client).Assessment 3: Practical presentation
Due: Week 14 (16 Oct)
For this task you are required to respond to the client design brief and develop, write and test scripts and related content for an interactive game for this ‘client’ (class teacher will play the role of client). You will need to identify the key components of the story, develop the script structure and components and write scripts consistent with the game design brief and the client requirements.
Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
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 matrices are available through Program Administration.
Other Information
Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview