Course Title: Games Studio 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Games Studio 1

Credit Points: 12

Course Coordinator: Dr Fabio Zambetta

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9694

Course Coordinator Email:e61116@ems.rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

You may not enrol in this course unless it is explicitly listed in your enrolment program summary, and you have confirmed with your program coordinator that it is an appropriate choice for your study plan.

Course Description

Game Studio 1 is intended to provide a common language and core knowledge for you, intending to train for a career in the game industry, either as an artist/designer or as a programmer.  This course will provide an overview of the history, approaches, genres, gameplay styles and techniques of computer games using specific architectures, tool chains and technologies as a reference. Moreover, the connection between “classic” games (such as board games, RPGs, card games, etc.) and videogames will be thoroughly explored.
A studio-based project will provide you with an environment in which you will learn basic aspects of game design and development, and a strong emphasis will be put on cross-disciplinary team work as every team will be comprised of digital artists, designers and programmers.
Upon completion of the course, you will have gained generic problem solving skills, basic project management skills, an understanding of core knowledge areas of computer games design and development, and familiarity with some tools and tool chains for designing and developing games. You will be required to build a simple game level or a game modification, using a game engine, as a proof of concept.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following capabilities: Enabling Knowledge, Problem Solving, and Teamwork.

At the conclusion of this course you will be able to:
a) Acquire fundamental knowledge required to design and develop games
1. Acquire familiarity with the history of computer games and different game genres and styles, learning by direct experience (i.e., playing and experimenting with games);
2. Acquire skills to use, design and develop tools for game modeling and map building.
b) Develop a common language
1. Be familiar with, and competent in, using terms and language from art, design and programming;
2. To comprehend various approaches/ philosophies into what constitutes games; in particular, the processes for designing and developing different games;
3. To develop appreciation in different approaches and styles used within art and science practice;
4. Develop skills in working in cross-disciplinary teams, using diversity as a major strength.
c) Enhance general learning abilities
1. Be able to work in project teams in a moderately self-directed manner;
2. Be capable of finding and assessing tools and resources for games design and development.

Overview of Learning Activities

The course takes a studio-based approach with project work – both individual and group – being the key learning activity. To support and supplement this there will be accompanying learning activities of a series of talks and lectures on key topics will be presented, whilst studio sessions will introduce you to concepts, tools and resources for game design and development.

Overview of Learning Resources

You will make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School.
Use the RMIT Bookshop’s textbook list search page to find any recommended textbook(s).

Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course comprises 100% group and individual assignment work.

For standard assessment details, including deadlines, weightings, and hurdle requirements relating to Computer Science and IT courses see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/compsci/cgi