Course Title: Develop Story and Content in Digital Games

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2022

Course Code: COMM7398C

Course Title: Develop Story and Content in Digital Games

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209. 

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Alan Woodruff

Course Contact Phone: +61399254307

Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Amelia Allen

amelia.allen@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

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:

  • ICTGAM424 Develop story and content in digital games
  • ICTGAM426 Write narrative scripts for interactive games


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTGAM424 Develop Story & Content in Digital Games

Element:

1. Identify and develop storylines with game potential

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify potential storylines in game development and applicable industry standards and regulations 1.2 Discuss, modify and enhance storylines with required personnel according to game environment 1.3 Determine applicable game genre 1.4 Establish and document draft storyline according to game requirements 1.5 Confirm storyline complies with copyright and intellectual property protection regulations

Element:

2. Write plot synopsis and background story

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Determine and create character profiles 2.2 Develop environment profiles consistent with storyline 2.3 Develop and document background story and initial plot profile 2.4 Write and develop plot synopsis and options and link to specific game levels

Element:

3. Develop story components

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Source initial concept artwork according to game environment and specifications 3.2 Develop level specifications and storylines 3.3 Initiate development of storyboards showing plot development, cinematic and level outlines according to organisational procedures

Element:

4. Finalise story components and obtain sign-off

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Seek and respond to feedback on story and concept with required personnel and apply required changes 4.2 Finalise story concept, profiles and other specifications according to organisational procedures and game requirements 4.3 Obtain sign-off from required personnel and confirm inclusion of final story components in 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

1

7 Jul

Briefing re course content, Mysteries of Mataranka concept

 

2

14 Jul

Discussion of game genres

 

3

21 Jul

Budgeting and scheduling

 

4

28 Jul

Game development, game research

 

5

4 Aug

Game story and content testing

Powerpoint skills

 

6

11 Aug

Narrative tools and environment profiles

 

7

18 Aug

Supervised knowledge assessment

 

8

25 Aug

Game genres, structures and formats

 

 

 

Mid-semester break: 29 Aug to 2 Sep, inclusive.

 

9

8 Sep

Script narrative and player engagement

Script formatting

 

10

15 Sep

Presentations

 

11

22 Sep

Researching competitors’ work 

Copyright and intellectual property used in the development of games

Storyboarding techniques

 

12

29 Sep

Refining your key story components via script synopsis

Game design brief and client requirements

 

13

6 Oct 

Scripting level/mission stories

Complete storyboards

Script feedback

 

14

13 Oct 

Focus group testing, revisions (if required), final presentations

 

15

20 Oct 

No scheduled class: semester review TBC

Assessment Task 1 due

16

27 Oct

No scheduled class: semester review TBC

Assessment Task 2 due

 

 


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, pitching sessions, and through the application of learned skills and insights to your game development and writing tasks.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Quiz (Canvas)

You will satisfactorily answer the 13 short-answer questions related to writing story and content for digital
games.

Due: Week 15

 

Assessment5 Task 2: 

Respond to the supplied client design brief: Identify and develop storylines, write plot synopsis and background stories, and develop story components and scripts for interactive digital games (your class teacher will play the role of the client).

Due: Week 16

 


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