Course Title: Write scripts for interactive games

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2019

Course Code: COMM7353C

Course Title: Write scripts for interactive 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: 345T Media and Communication

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

sandra.gallagher@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

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:	ICTGAM407 Write scripts for interactive games
Element:	1. Identify story components
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Identify creative concepts for the script 1.2 Identify game genres and story components for script development
Element:	2. Develop script components
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Develop a script structure consistent with the genre and the game design brief 2.2 Develop script components for the main plot, background stories, and level or mission stories consistent with the genre and game design brief
Element:	3. Write a draft script
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Write a script synopsis 3.2 Write a draft script for the main characters and their interactions using the structure and components previously determined, according to the brief 3.3 Write a draft script for background stories and level/mission stories using the previously determined structure and components, according to the brief 3.4 Develop character and narrator dialogue 3.5 Initiate storyboards for draft scripts in the required format
Element:	4. Review the script based on feedback
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Present the synopsis and storyboards to the client and the relevant personnel for feedback 4.2 Collate, and respond to, comments and feedback 4.3 Revise scripts and storyboards consistent with feedback 4.4 Undertake focus testing with the intended audience
Element:	5. Write the final script
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Collate, and respond to, comments and feedback from focus testing 5.2 Rewrite the script synopsis where required 5.3 Rewrite the script or dialogue where required 5.4 Initiate revised storyboards where required 5.5 Present the final script in agreed format to the client and colleagues

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 to review discussions/lectures 
• analysis/critique of students’ writings

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	Content	Assessment due	Elements
1	No scheduled class
2	No scheduled class
3	Briefing re course content, Mysteries of Mataranka concept, discussion of game genres		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4	Budgeting and scheduling, game development, game research		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2
5	Game story and content testing Powerpoint skills		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2
6	Narrative tools and environment profiles		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2
7	Supervised knowledge assessment	Assessment Task 1 due	ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3
8	Game genres, structures and formats		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3
	Mid-semester break: Monday 2 September - Friday 6 September inclusive
9	Script narrative and player engagement Script formatting		ICTGAM405 1, 2 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
10	Presentations	Assessment Task 2 due	ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
11	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	Refining your key story components via script synopsis Game design brief and client requirements		ICTGAM405 1 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
13	Scripting level/mission stories Complete storyboards Script feedback		ICTGAM405 1, 2 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
14	Focus group testing, revisions (if required), final presentations	Assessment Task 3 due	ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
15	Possible makeup class (TBC)
16	Possible makeup class (TBC)

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

You 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.

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

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete all the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive written feedback on all assessment (refer to Canvas for assessment criteria).

Assessment Task 1: Knowledge questions: Due Week 7

Assessment Task 2: Story presentation: Due Week 10

Assessment Task 3: Practical presentation: Due Week 14

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete all the assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all tasks.

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. You will have one opportunity to resubmit your work.

Once you have achieved competency for the all assessments in the unit, you will receive an overall result for the course.

This course is ungraded. Results used in this course are as follows:

• 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 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.

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.

Assessment Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.

Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time):
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the 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.

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.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview