Course Title: Write narrative scripts for interactive games

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: COMM7399C

Course Title: Write narrative scripts for interactive games

Important Information:

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

 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6180 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Alan Woodruff

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4307

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Elliot Seidel

elliot.seidel@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

None.

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:

ICTGAM426 Write narrative scripts for interactive games

Element:

1. Identify and develop story and script components

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify and confirm game genre and story components with required personnel 1.2 Discuss and propose creative script concepts and ideas 1.3 Develop a script structure consistent with game genre and game design brief 1.4 Develop script components in the main plot, background stories and level and mission stories according to game genre and game design brief

Element:

2. Write a draft script

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Write a script synopsis according to game design brief 2.2 Write a draft script and include main characters and their interactions, background stories and level and mission stories, according to design brief, game structure and genre 2.3 Develop character and narrator dialogue 2.4 Initiate storyboards for draft scripts in required format

Element:

3. Review script according to feedback

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Present synopsis and storyboards to required personnel and seek feedback 3.2 Collate and respond to comments and feedback 3.3 Revise scripts and storyboards according to feedback 3.4 Undertake focus testing with intended audience

Element:

4. Write final script

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Collate and respond to comments and feedback from focus testing 4.2 Review and rewrite script synopsis, script and dialogue where required 4.3 Initiate revised storyboards where required 4.4 Present final script in agreed format to required personnel and obtain sign-off

Learning Outcomes


By taking this course, you'll acquire and enhance 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

Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of resources.

Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of resources.

Week

Content

Assessment due

1

Briefing re course content, Mysteries of Mataranka concept

What are the fresh trends in the gaming industry?Links to an external site.

 

2

Discussion of game genres

Conflict

Game Development Trends: Transfiguring Gaming IndustryLinks to an external site.

 

3

Budgeting and scheduling

Structure

 

4

Game development, game research

Characters and their arcs

 

5

Game story and content testing

Powerpoint skills

 

6

Narrative tools and environment profiles

Dialogue

 

7

Knowledge assessment: review and discussion

Feedback from classmates on draft scripts 

 

 

Mid-semester break: Mon 2 September – Friday 6 Sep, inclusive.

 

8

Feedback from classmates on draft scripts (cont'd)

Assessment 1 due

9

Script narrative and player engagement

Script formatting

 

10

Researching competitors’ work 

Copyright and intellectual property used in the development of games

Storyboarding techniques

 

11

Start storyboarding
Game Genres 

 

12

Refining your key story components via script synopsis

Game design brief and client requirements

 

13

Scripting level/mission stories

Complete storyboards

Final Revision Feedback 

 

14

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

Assessment 2 due

15

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. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include participation in class exercises, oral presentations and practical writing tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided.

 


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 8

This assessment task allows you to demonstrate 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 design and development 

Due Week 14

This assessment will allow you to demonstrate your ability to: 

  • Respond to a client design brief for an interactive digital game  
  • Identify and develop storylines 
  • Write a plot synopsis and background stories 
  • Develop story components and scripts

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


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