Course Title: Develop Story and Content in Digital Games

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2025

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.

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: 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

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:

ICTGAM424 Develop Story and 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 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:

  • teacher presentations
  • teacher directed group activities/projects
  • class exercises to review discussions/presentations
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • group discussion
  • 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

Week

Content

Assessment due

1

Overview of course content

Overview of ATs (Mataranka, etc)

Introduction To Twine

2

Generating Concepts For Games

Game Narrative Structures

Budgeting and Scheduling Considerations

3

Games Genres

World Building

Character Profiles

Plot Synopsis

4

The Game Brief

Storyboarding

Crafting Story Background / Inspiration

Storyline Structures

5

AT2 Part A - Feedback / Meetings

Copyright

6

AT2 Part A - Feedback / Meetings (Part 2)

Copyright (Pt

7

Knowledge assessment: review and discussion

AT2: Part B, Part C.

Player-Character Dynamic

Interactive Space

Florence + Stanley Parable

Assessment 1 due

Mid-semester break: Mon 1 – Fri 5 Sep, inclusive.

8

Video-Game Scripts + Dialogue

9

 Industry Guest + Level Design

10

Focus Testing Prep + Controlling Idea

11

Focus Testing Part 1

Level Design Documentary

12

Focus Testing Part 2

Forest Paths Part 1

13

AT2 - Check-Ins

14

Forest Paths (Part 2)

Final Farewell

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 Task 1: Knowledge Questions, due Week 7

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 Task 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
SEC: Stopped Engagement in Course


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