MFC4133 - Level Up

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

Using theory and practice they have developed in the first semester during the Game On module, students will turn their attention to the world of computer games: analysing and breaking down examples, identifying theory in practice, platforms and interfaces, UX/UI considerations, art styles, themes and genres, building towards a Game Design Document where they explore and flesh out an idea and become familiar with a key piece of game development – the Game Design Document (or GDD).

Students will also develop their Game Art and Game Engine knowledge, looking at environments and characters, and bringing these together to produce a simple level slice demo ‘in engine’ using the skills and knowledge they have learned so far in the Game On module and this module.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Workshops
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Games and Playthroughs
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 240

Further Detail Relating to Assessment

Assessment tasks are designed to measure the extent to which you have satisfied the Level Learning Outcomes for your programme. Some modules, for example where there are professional body (PSRB) requirements, will also test for module-specific skills and knowledge.

Game Design Document
Students will create a Game Design Document (GDD) starting with a 1-page pitch for a game idea and developing it through the semester to a full GDD. They will spend time designing a game level to inform their GDD. Students will consider design requirements around art and characters, levels and sound, etc and learn how to include and expand on these concepts within the GDD.

Artefact: Game Level Slice
Building on the fundamental skills in modelling and game engines covered in the Game On module, students will expand on their prop creation and presentation to create a small interactable environment, combining their design and modelling skills with game engine skills to create this.

Formative assessment will be the 1-page pitch for the Game Design Document.

In Games Design classes, formative assessment serves to bolster the skills essential for module completion and success. This includes engaging in practical computer lab workshops, undertaking design and modelling tasks, delivering case study presentations, writing essays, completing short quizzes and conducting specific investigation tasks. The provision of formative feedback is integrated seamlessly into class sessions, ensuring an ongoing and iterative process to enhance learning outcomes. This will provide ample opportunities for feedback and feed forward to students before their assignments.

Further details of assessment are available in the Assessment Handbook for your programme and in Assessment Briefs provided by Module Tutors.

Assessment:

001 Game Design Document, End of Semester 2 40%
002 Artefact: Game Level Slice, End of semester 2 60%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Tim Balmforth
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S2

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