Course Title: Develop Story and Content in Digital Games
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2023
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: Matt Kazacos
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:
- 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.
Week |
Content |
Assessment due |
1 |
Briefing re course content, Mysteries of Mataranka concept |
|
2 |
Discussion of game genres Conflict |
|
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 28 Aug– Fri 1 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 |
|
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