Unit Outline

This unit introduces the topic of game design and production. Students will work in teams to design and develop a prototype of their design using an agile development methodology. During the development process students will document aspects of the game's implementation. Students will prepare their game prototype for an online release and will pitch their concept of the final product as if pitching to a platform holder or publisher. Students will learn skills that are essential for the game designer, such as: 3D modelling, rapid prototyping tools, level editing tools, and scripting. Topics that will be covered include: concept development; world, character, and story design; basic user interface design; testing, quality assurance, and platform certification; product storefront creation and promotion; and intellectual property, copyright, entrepreneurship, and funding. Completing this unit will provide you with the opportunity to obtain the Unity Certified Associate: Programmer professional industry certification via completion of a certification exam. Students need to get permission from the unit coordinator to enrol in the online offering. This online offering is primarily for students enrolled in the Diploma of ICT Professional Practice (including the Undergraduate Certificate in ICT Professional Practice) who might need to complete the unit online. Online students will need to attend online tutorials.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Apply agile development methodologies to the design and production of games and virtual worlds by drawing on the relationships and skills within the game development team
2	Develop and modify art assets and scripts
3	Design and implement game prototypes to inform and evaluate their design
4	Create artefacts that appeal to a target audience to support the production of games

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KIT107 OR KIT101 or KIT109

Alterations as a result of student feedback

More guidance will be given around the requirements for assessments.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Lecture	A real-time (i.e. synchronous) interactive activity involving the whole class whose primary purpose is the presentation and structuring of information/ideas/skills to facilitate student learning. All students are expected to attend.	2	Weekly
	Independent Learning	Involving reading, listening to audio, watching video, and/or completing exercises and/or quizzes, self-study is individual work undertaken when the student chooses (i.e. asynchronous), most likely through engagement with MyLO. The content is examinable, and may need to be completed prior to attending classes and/or attempting assessment tasks.	4	Weekly
	Tutorial	A structured real-time (i.e. synchronous) computer-based activity in a small-group setting where the primary purpose is the clarification, exploration or reinforcement of subject content presented or accessed at another time or place (e.g. lecture, preparatory work). It is teacher supported and may involve student-teacher and/or student-student interaction and dialogue for achievement of its learning outcomes. The students enrolled in the class are expected to attend.	2	Weekly

Attendance/Engagement Expectations

It is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, family commitments) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

How will I be Assessed?

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT TASK 1:	Assignment 2: Concept Document and Pitch	Week 7	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 2:	Assignment 4: Testing	Week 12	5 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 3:	Assignment 5: Game Prototype	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 4:	Assignment 6: Final Pitch	Week 14	20 %	LO1, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 5:	Assignment 1: Portfolio	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 6:	Assignment 3: Development Log	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Assignment 2: Concept Document and Pitch

TASK DESCRIPTION:

For this assignment you will develop a game concept as part of a small team. You will submit a concept document and also participate in a live pitch of your concept.

Your individual contribution will be used for assessment.

TASK LENGTH:

Document: approximately 4–6 pages. Pitch: no longer than 10 minutes.

DUE DATE:

Week 7

WEIGHT:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Develop a concept for a game that addresses the provided theme.	LO1, LO3
2	Pitch the game concept.	LO4
3	Write a game concept document that covers: a working title, a concise concept statement, genre, how the game concept was developed and how it addresses the theme, a description of the target audience, and a treatment with concept art.	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Assignment 4: Testing

TASK DESCRIPTION:

For this assignment your team will develop a testing plan and test your prototype for assignment 5.

This assignment requires your team to have developed the prototyped sufficiency to be able to perform a test, and have prepared a testing plan before the session. Additionally, during the session you will also act as a tester for other groups.

Your individual contribution will be used for assessment.

TASK LENGTH:

2 hours.

DUE DATE:

Week 12

WEIGHT:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Prepare a set of test criteria for a testing session.	LO1, LO4
2	Run and document a testing session for a game prototype.	LO1, LO3
3	Act as a play tester of a game prototype.	LO1
4	Document your findings during a test session of a game prototype.	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Assignment 5: Game Prototype

TASK DESCRIPTION:

For this assignment you will develop a prototype of your game that demonstrates key aspects of your game design.

Your prototype should aim to be a playable vertical slice of the game and will need to be accompanied by all the required artefacts needed for release on the target platform.

Your individual contribution will be used for assessment.

TASK LENGTH:

Integrated game prototype.

DUE DATE:

Week 13

WEIGHT:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Develop art assets and scripts, that suit the style and atmosphere of the game prototype.	LO1, LO3
2	Implement level designs for a game prototype.	LO1, LO3
3	Develop key gameplay mechanics for a game prototype.	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Create artefacts that support the release of a game prototype.	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Assignment 6: Final Pitch

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Pitch the developed prototype as if you were aiming to attract interest from a platform holder or funding from a publisher.

For this pitch you should demonstrate your game prototype, discuss the full vision for the final game, and make a convincing argument that your plans are achievable and that the game is a marketable product.

Your individual contribution will be used for assessment.

TASK LENGTH:

10–15 minutes.

DUE DATE:

Week 14

WEIGHT:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Perform a live-demo of your game prototype.	LO1, LO4
2	Pitch the full vision of the final game.	LO4
3	Make a convincing argument that your plans are achievable by your team.	LO1

Assessment Task 5: Assignment 1: Portfolio

TASK DESCRIPTION:

As part of the on-line modules you will be developing an individual design portfolio consisting of Blender models and Unity scenes. You will be extending these in tutorials, so portfolio work must be completed before the start of the tutorial.

TASK LENGTH:

4–8 hours weekly (for weeks 1–6).

DUE DATE:

Refer to Assessment Description

WEIGHT:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Apply game development tools and techniques to develop game assets for a design portfolio.	LO2, LO3
2	Create a devlog post to demonstrate game assets and the process of their development.	LO4

Assessment Task 6: Assignment 3: Development Log

TASK DESCRIPTION:

For this assignment your team will document the development of your prototype for assignment 5.

The devlogs as a whole should provide clear evidence that the development of the game has made progress from week-to-week and can mainly focus on whatever elements you consider relevant to your particular project. Some of the devlog post topics will be prescribed.

Your individual contribution will be used for assessment.

TASK LENGTH:

1–2 hours weekly (per team, for weeks 8–13).

DUE DATE:

Refer to Assessment Description

WEIGHT:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Develop devlogs with appropriate use of mixed media with target audience appeal.	LO1, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late Penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.