Course Title: Write scripts for interactive games

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2021

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: 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

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 

2. Out-of-class activities:

• WIL placement
• 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		NO CLASS
2	Jul 16	Briefing re course content, Mysteries of Mataranka concept		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
3	Jul 23	Discussion of game genres		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4	Jul 30	Budgeting and scheduling		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
5	Aug 6	Game development, game research		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2
6	Aug 13	Game story and content testing Powerpoint skills		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2
7	Aug 20	Narrative tools and environment profiles		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2
8	Aug 27	Supervised knowledge assessment		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3
		Mid-semester break: Monday 30 August - Friday 3 September inclusive
9	Sep 10	Game genres, structures and formats		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3
10	Sep 17	Script narrative and player engagement Script formatting		ICTGAM405 1, 2 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
11	Sep 24	Presentations		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
12	Oct 1	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
13	Oct 8	Refining your key story components via script synopsis Game design brief and client requirements		ICTGAM405 1 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
14	Oct 15	Scripting level/mission stories Complete storyboards Script feedback		ICTGAM405 1, 2 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
15	Oct 22	Focus group testing, revisions (if required), final presentations		ICTGAM405 1, 2, 3, 4 ICTGAM407 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
16	Oct 29	No scheduled class: semester review TBC	Assessment Task 1 due
17	Nov 5		Assessment Task 2 due

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None

References

Resources available on Canvas.

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 16

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: Game development and presentation

Due: Week 17

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). 

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