Course Title: Design games
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2024
Course Code: COSC7403C
Course Title: Design games
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6173 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Content Creation and Design)
Course Contact: Nat Bates
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 3326
Course Contact Email: nat.bates@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 |
Session 1: Game theory Introduction to game theory, genres, payoffs objectives and mechanics. Participate in exploring game theory through gameplay. Session 2: Game Development Planning for scripting, learning good debugging habits, and working with ChatGPT. |
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| Week 2 |
Session 1: Game theory Exploring the role of game literature in game design. Session 2: Game development Basics of scripting theory, looking at scripting libraries, elements and the role of game engines. |
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| Week 3 |
Session 1 : Game theory Look at the game production processes and understand the role of testing within the game industry. Session 2: Game development Exploring good habits with asset management and learning to write game code. |
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| Week 4 |
Session 1: Game Theory What goes into a Game Design Document (GDD)? Understanding all the elements required and how to develop good documentation. Session 2: Game Development Writing game code, working on creating solid comments and creating error-free code, |
AT1 Part A and Part B due. | |
| Week 5 |
Session 1: Game Theory Defining a game project and researching suitable outcomes. Exploring concept and level design techniques to create an original game idea. Session 2: Game Development Presenting your game design concept and level design sketches for feedback. Working on ideation techniques to help develop stronger solutions. |
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| Week 6 |
Session 1: Game Development Developing a solid asset management system and game design document (GDD) suitable for game development. Session 2: Game Development Create a game level as a rough draft within the game engine, learning how to create the first stages of a playable prototype. |
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| Week 7 |
Session 1 and Session 2: Game Development Time dedicated to putting skills to work, and developing a game project. Work on developing a prototype that is suitable for play testing. Conducting effective playtesting and acting on feedback. |
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| Week 8 |
Session 1 and Session 2: Game Development Finalise game prototype and documentation suitable for submission. |
AT1 Part C Due | |
| Week 9 |
Session 1 and Session 2: Open Game project Defining the game project and researching similar game styles within the industry. Working on concept presentation, drafting out level design, and asset organisation. |
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| Week 10 | Industry Week | ||
| Week 11 |
Session 1 and Session 2: Open Game project Preparing to build game, Organising game assets developing flowcharts, game document (GDD) drafts and playtesting. |
AT2 Part A | |
| Week 12 |
Session 1 and Session 2: Open Game project Game prototype development. Working on game development, using skills acquired in the game |
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| Week 13 |
Session 1 and Session 2: Open Game project Playtesting Conduct playtesting on your game with players, recoding feedback and create an action list. |
AT2 Part B | |
| Week 14 |
Session 1 and Session 2 Refine game Refine game from the action list created from playtesting. |
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| Week 15 |
Session 1 and Session 2 Finalise and submit Finalise game and related documentation ready. |
AT2 Part C | |
| Week 16 |
Session 1 and Session 2 Review |
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
In this assessment students will be given a game brief that they will need to code a game to specifications. As this is the first assessment of the subject, students will undergo some research into the scripting/coding and game theory to gain the knowledge needed to develop the game. Students will be required to complete research, apply practical coding skills to develop game as per specification, evaluate the process and archive their new scripting.
Due week 8
Assessment 2 Game Design and Development
Completing this project allows you to demonstrate that you can follow a set games brief to identify project requirements, research, plan approach, generate multiple concepts, adopt a specific game genre, create game documentation. Once the concept and documentation is finalised students will then script / code prototype, test the prototype and then finalise the game development, producing a game with no errors or faults in the coding.
Due week 15
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview