Course Title: Design games
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2022
Course Code: COSC7403C
Course Title: Design 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: C6173 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Content Creation and Design)
Course Contact: Jesse Roberts
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4107
Course Contact Email: jesse.roberts2@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Suzanne Thomson
suzanne.thomson@rmit.edu.au
9925 4815
Program Coordinator: Nat Bates
nat.bates@rmit.edu.au
9925 3326
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
This course describes the skills and knowledge required to design technically feasible games, including interpreting game design briefs, researching game ideas and literature, and drafting and finalising game design documents.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUADIG514 Design games |
Element: |
1. Identify project requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify objective and intended outcomes of game brief in consultation with required personnel 1.2 Identify factors that may impact on design of game 1.3 Clarify target audience and determine format and delivery platform of game in discussion with required personnel |
Element: |
2. Research games and generate ideas |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify different game genres in consultation with required personnel 2.2 Play different genres, including traditional and digital games 2.3 Identify different games’ objectives using game theory and game literature 2.4 Generate ideas for game designs that are technically feasible and that respond to game brief 2.5 Discuss game ideas in collaboration with required personnel 2.6 Select game genre and idea that responds to the game brief |
Element: |
3. Draft game design document |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Determine structure of game and document all elements 3.2 Develop prototype game sequence to be used in development phase 3.3 Confirm prototype can test effectiveness of gameplay elements 3.4 Develop register of game assets in consultation with required personnel 3.5 Present draft game design document for feedback from required personnel using various presentation techniques |
Element: |
4. Finalise game design document |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Review and adjust game design objectives as required 4.2 Discuss and confirm additional modifications to game design with required personnel 4.3 Specify game production requirements and proposed testing strategies 4.4 Produce final game design document, reflecting additional modifications |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
This course consists of 2 Units of Competency that are clustered together for delivery and assessment. The other unit of competency in this clustered course is: CUADIG414 Write and apply scripting language in authoring.
In class learning activities may include, but are not limited to:
• lectures and/or lab work
• teacher directed group activities and projects
• concept development of group and individual projects
• group discussions and class presentations
• peer and teacher feedback
• WIP (work in progress) reviews
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
Out of class activities may include, but are not limited to:
• maintaining secure daily backups of all assessment and project data to your RMIT OneDrive account
• accessing online tutorial resources
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
• class excursions to events and locations outside of RMIT
Teaching Schedule
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
| Week 1 | 8/2/21 |
Introduction to Game theory, Genres and Unity refresher. Learn about both traditional and digital game theory. Refresh your Unity skills. Working on AT1 Q1 and Q2. Game Coding: You will learn the basics of moving character around by keyboard input. |
EOP Learning Activity |
| Week 2 | 15/2/21 |
Game play and mechanics Explore traditional and digital games through game play. Working on AT1 Q3 and Q4, AT2 art A Section 1 |
|
| Week 3 | 22/2/21 |
Game Flow, Game Documentation & Unity Explore design process, including game flow charts and its effect on your role as a game designer. Learn more about the technological developments and how they have shaped the gaming industry. Finally touch on the main coding concepts for gaming development. Game Coding: You will learn the basics of game project set up, methods and player control scripting. |
|
| Week 4 | 1/3/21 |
Testing strategies and finalising assessment task 1. Explore the multiple styles of gaming testing strategies. There will also be a Q and A on AT1 part A. Game Coding: You will learn the basics of positions and player bounds. |
AT1 Due |
| Week 5 | 8/3/21 |
Introduction Assessment task 2 & Developing your Game Canvas Working on your concept and research for AT2, but learning how to complete a game design canvas. |
|
| Week 6 | 15/3/21 |
Concept development Pitch and feedback Learn about what goes into a pitch document and pitch your concept to your peers for feedback. Game Coding: You will learn the basics creating enemies/obstacles. |
|
| Week 7 | 22/3/21 |
Game Proposals Learn about the format and content for a formal game proposal document. Use your research, game pitch and game canvas to create your game proposal. Game Coding: You will learn the basics of how to detect collisions. |
|
| Week 8 | 29/3/21 |
Game Proposal Document - Finalisation Bringing it all together into formal documentation to propose your game concept. Game Coding: You will learn the basics scoring, UI menus and sound management. |
AT2 Due |
| Week 9 | 12/4/21 |
Introduction Assessment 3 and IP Taking that next step, from concept to game development. You will also learn about IP and game design industry. Game Coding: You will learn the basics adding the final SFX to games. |
|
| Week 10 | 19/4/21 |
Game testing strategies & conditional statements (the math stuff) Take a close look at the different types of game testing strategies. Also take time to think about assumed formulas that apply to games for example gravity. |
|
| Week 11 | 26/4/21 |
Simulation Knowledge In this week we will learn about digital design process in relation to stages of game design, technical standards including platform functions, web standards, documentation types related to design of digital applications and the intellectual property right and how they are managed with the digital design industry. |
|
| Week 12 | 3/5/21 |
Game development workshop Time in this week is dedicated to the development of your game. |
|
| Week 13 | 10/5/21 |
Game development workshop Time in this week is dedicated to the development of your game. |
AT4 Due |
| Week 14 | 17/5/21 |
Game development workshop Time in this week is dedicated to the development of your game. |
|
| Week 15 | 24/5/21 | Game development workshop Time in this week is dedicated to the development of your game.. |
|
| Week 16 | 31/5/21 |
Game development workshop Time in this week is dedicated to the development of your game. |
AT3 Due |
| Week 17 | 7/6/21 | Time dedicated to catch up. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed 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.
Assessment 1 Game Design Theory
For this assessment you will asked to answer all the question which relate to game design theory. Please answer all question using your own words and in full sentences, some questions require you to fill in the table provided.
Due week 4
Assessment 2 Game Design
You are part of an Indie Game Design studio dedicated to creating fun, colourful non-violent games. As an up and coming game designer it is your role to pitch game concepts in order to obtain investment and funding for the company.
This Indie Game Design studio develops a wide variety of game genres of a non-violent nature. You have been asked to pitch a concept to your team and develop a game proposal document to help obtain funding for the game development.
Due week 8
Assessment 3 Game Simulation
Using your Game Design Proposal final concept from AT2, you will now develop a draft simulation of the game for review against the project outcomes and objectives. This means you will develop a draft simulation of the game, test the game on at least 3 users, adjust any specifications required and then finalise the game design documentation.
Due week 16
Assessment 4 Knowledge Evidence
For this assessment you will asked to answer all questions which relate to digital design industry. Please answer all question using your own words and in full sentences (no dot points).
Due week 13
Assessment in this course uses the following grades:
CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix for this course demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters.
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. You are strongly advised to 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.
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.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview