Unit Outline

Games (whether they be video games, console games, computer games, mobile games, or web games) differ from other media as they elevate the viewer to the level of a participant. Games are an ever-growing cultural phenomenon which has increasing relevance to people's day-to-day lives and well as significant economic importance. In this unit, students will be exposed to the basics of game development technology and game design, via an intensive process learning practical skills for developing games and the application of these in the development of their own small game in the Unity game engine. Students will be given the option to complete a Unity Certification course at the conclusion of the unit. While games are typically "fun", they are also increasingly being developed for non-entertainment uses, through so-called serious gaming and by the use of gamification. Supplementing the practical component, this unit will introduce such games as they are used to make social statements and to drive social change; for education and training; for rehabilitation and health; for research; and for art's sake alone. This unit will also examine controversial game content, the effects of game playing, and various ethical concerns. This unit will feature guest speakers who will provide unique personal insights into the workings of the games industry and advice on how to best prepare for employment within it. Completing this unit will provide you with the opportunity to obtain the Unity Certified User: Programmer professional industry certification via completion of a certification exam.

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	Communicate the design and development processes of games
2	Apply principles and technical skills to develop games
3	Identify and analyse user needs and take them into account in the design and implementation of games
4	Analyse the diverse usage and broad impact of games and virtual worlds on individuals, organizations, and society

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In-editor tutorials now give far more granular feedback to help with progress.

Version control introduced (via the in-built Unity version control system).

Introducing demonstrations of how to effectively use generative AI for game development.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
Online	Lecture (Online)	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
	Tutorial (Online)	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
	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.	3	Weekly
	Tutorial (Online)	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.	1	Weekly

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, 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 are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

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

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Pong Game	Week 3	5 %	LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Game Project Concept Document	Week 7	5 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Game Project Implementation	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Prescribed Game Project	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Modules and Exercises	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Pong Game

Task Description:

This assessment requires the creation of a Pong clone during your assigned tutorial. The purpose of this assignment is to apply the Unity practical work to creating games independently.

The developed game can be simple or advanced, and rough or polished, with the latter in both cases earning more marks.

Task Length:

Pong Game

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Create a version of Pong with implemented features for ball movement, collisions, player input, and appropriate graphics.	LO2
2	Create an extended version of Pong with at least 3 of the following additional features: ball reset, paddle constraints, scoring, match logic, multiplayer, AI, and sound effects.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Game Project Concept Document

Task Description:

This assessment is a game concept document that will be implemented and tested in the following assessments. The purpose of this assessment is to give experience creating design concept documents for a simple video game.

The concept document will become part of the student's online itch.io portfolio, and will contain the working title, concept statement, the target genre, the target audience, a description of the process of ideation, a game treatment, and concept art.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Write a game concept overview including a title, concept statement, genre, game treatment, and target audience analysis.	LO1, LO3, LO4
2	Communicate the concept using text and figures with academic references.	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Game Project Implementation

Task Description:

This assessment is a complete implementation and documentation of the game concept described in the previous game project concept assessment. The purpose of this assignment is to give experience at implementing a video game concept and documenting its development in a way that helps engage potential players and other developers.

The development process and completed game will be submitted to itch.io, with submission of game code to MyLO.

Task Length:

Game Project (8 weeks) Weekly blog posts (5 posts) One testing session (2 hours)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Produce an implementation of an original game concept including a title screen, player input, and artwork	LO2
2	Provide documentation of assets used, including a user guide suitable for a general audience	LO1
3	Document and participate in testing sessions	LO3, LO4
4	Write blog post about the game development process	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Prescribed Game Project

Task Description:

Students will be given a detailed specification of a game to complete within two weeks. The specification will cover all practical aspects learned in this unit.

The completed game will be submitted to itch.io, with submission of game code to MyLO.

Task Length:

Prescribed Game Project (2 weeks)

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develop an implementation of the prescribed game.	LO2
2	Create an interpretation of the prescribed game specification.	LO3

Assessment Task 5: Modules and Exercises

Task Description:

Completion of modules and their associated exercises and practical-focused quizzes will be assessed throughout the semester. The purpose of this assessment is to demonstrate competency in the use of the Unity engine to create interactive games.

Work will be demonstrated to the tutor during practicals and tutorials.

Task Length:

15 Modules 15 Exercises 15 Quizzes

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.