CQUniversity Unit Profile
MMST12017 Game Design
Game Design
All details in this unit profile for MMST12017 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

Digital games, also referred to as video games, computer games, console games, online games or mobile games, exist in a variety of formats, platforms and genres. This unit provides an introduction to the theories, principles and methods of game design. It analyses the essential elements of games that designers work with to create the all-important player experience. Activities such as conceptualising, designing, prototyping and evaluating games are explored.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite DGTL11006 Coding Fundamentals or MMST11002 Web Design

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2019

Brisbane
Bundaberg
Mackay
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 25%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 45%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from 'Have your Say' Feedback

Feedback

Students would like access to a greater pool of pre-written example scripts with simple explanations.

Recommendation

The collection of scripts will be expanded to include more examples with explanatory notes.

Feedback from 'Have your Say' Feedback

Feedback

Assessment tasks need to be staggered to avoid conflict with other units.

Recommendation

Assessment dates will be reviewed.

Feedback from 'Have your Say' Feedback

Feedback

Some students would like the option to investigate 3D games.

Recommendation

The option to develop 3D games will be considered.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain theories, principles and methods of game design
  2. Conceptualise a game and communicate ideas through design documentation
  3. Competently use software tools for creating games and game assets
  4. Create a prototype for a game, applying theories, principles and methods of game design
  5. Evaluate a game in terms of theories and principles of game design
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical Assessment - 25%
3 - Practical Assessment - 45%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical Assessment - 25%
3 - Practical Assessment - 45%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, Third Edition

Third Edition (2014)
Authors: Tracy Fullerton
CRC Press
Boca Raton Boca Raton , Florida , United States
ISBN: ISBN 9781482217162
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

The prescribed textbook, Game Design Workshop is also available in digital format from the CQUni library, or through https://www.safaribooksonline.com (using your CQUni student id and password).

However, if you prefer your own personal copy, they can be purchased at the CQUni Bookhop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Adobe Audition CC
  • Adobe Illustrator CC
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Piskel (free from http://www.piskelapp.com)
  • Unity Personal Edition (free from https://store.unity.com)
  • Adobe Photoshop CC (Student pricing - https://www.adobe.com/au/creativecloud/buy/students.html)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Jim Picton Unit Coordinator
j.picton@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

An introduction to games

Chapter

Hunicke, R, LeBlanc, M & Zubek, R 2004, MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research, viewed 28 January 2019, http://www.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf


Kramer, W 2000, What is a Game?, viewed 07 January 2019, http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/WhatIsaGame.shtml


Maroney, K. 2001, My Entire Waking Life, viewed 07 January 2019, http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/MyEntireWakingLife.shtml

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

The role of the Game Designer

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 1: The Role of the Game Designer, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

The structure of games

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 2: Structure of Games, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Conceptualising a game

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 6: Conceptualisation, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Prototyping a game

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 7: Prototyping, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Mid-term break (no classes)

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Finalise Assignment 1 which is due Monday, next week.

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Formal game elements

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 3: Working with Formal Elements, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Paper Prototype Game, Written Report & Game Design Journal (Weeks 2-5) Due: Week 6 Monday (22 Apr 2019) 11:45 am AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Dramatic game elements

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 4: Working with Dramatic Elements, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 06 May 2019

Module/Topic

System dynamics

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 5: Working with System Dynamics, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Visual and Sound Design for Games & Game Design Journal (Weeks 6-8) Due: Week 8 Friday (10 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 13 May 2019

Module/Topic

Communicating your designs

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 14: Communicating your Designs, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 May 2019

Module/Topic

Digital prototyping

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 8: Digital Prototyping, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 27 May 2019

Module/Topic

Publishing a game

Chapter

Fullerton, T 2014, Chapter 15: Understanding the New Game Industry, pp. 470-474, in Game Design Workshop, CRC Press, 2014.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Review Week

Chapter

Please complete the 'Have your Say' student feedback survey in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Finalise Assignment 3, which is due next week.

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Unity 2D Digital Prototype Game, Game Concept Document (GCD) & Game Design Journal (Weeks 9-12) Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (10 June 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Paper Prototype Game, Written Report & Game Design Journal (Weeks 2-5)

Task Description

Assignment 1 requires you to develop a playable paper prototype game which will lay the foundation for subsequent digital development in Assignments 2 and 3. Paper prototyping is extensively used within the game industry and forms the crux of Professor Tracy Fullerton’s playcentric methodology as presented in the Game Design Workshop textbook. Fullerton's approach facilitates the rapid, robust and cost-effective development of game design mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics, whilst using playtesting feedback from real players to improve the overall player experience. Your paper prototype will be documented within a written report, and you will reflect on your learning journey by using a Game Design Journal (blog). In combination, these tasks allow you to demonstrate how well you can apply your understanding of the theoretical concepts covered in the unit textbook and broader course material.

Please refer to the unit website for detailed information about Assignment 1.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Monday (22 Apr 2019) 11:45 am AEST


Return Date to Students

2 weeks after submission


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Deliverables:

  1. Paper Prototype Game. Develop and upload a complete and playable paper prototype game, including all components required for play.
  2. Written Report – 1500 words (+/-10%). Create a written report which thoroughly documents your prototype game and explains how your design relates to the approach used with the 'Game Design Workshop' textbook.
  3. Game Design Journal (Weeks 2-5). Complete journal (blog) entries addressing designated topics.

Allocation of marks:

  • Paper Prototype Game - 16 marks
  • Written Report - 10 marks
  • Game Design Journal (Weeks 2-5) - 4 marks
  • Total = 30 marks (30% of your overall score)

Supplementary notes:

  • Be aware that this assignment is due on Monday 22nd April 2019 - Week 6 (immediately following the mid-term break).
  • The paper prototype game that you submit must be playable and complete.
  • Your submission must meet the constraints of the task.
  • The game design ideas which underpin your paper prototype must be original and you cannot use someone else's Intellectual Property (IP) within your work e.g. Star Wars, Monopoly.
  • Evidence of successful experimentation, innovation or high quality artwork will result in higher marks.
  • Penalties will be applied for late submission or failing to comply with the assignment's requirements (e.g. game is incomplete).

Please refer to the unit website for more detailed assignment criteria, along with exemplars and supporting materials.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please refer to the unit website for assignment submission instructions.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain theories, principles and methods of game design
  • Create a prototype for a game, applying theories, principles and methods of game design
  • Evaluate a game in terms of theories and principles of game design


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Visual and Sound Design for Games & Game Design Journal (Weeks 6-8)

Task Description

Assignment 2 requires you to design and develop custom visual and sound assets for your game protagonist (player character). Once complete, these assets will be used in the digital prototype game that you develop for Assignment 3. Additionally, you will continue to reflect on your learning journey in your Game Design Journal (blog).

Please refer to the unit website for detailed information about Assignment 2.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (10 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

2 weeks after submission


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Deliverables:

  1. Visual Design for Games. Character model sheet and sprite sheet for your game protagonist. 
  2. Sound Design for Games. Spawning, movement and death (or destruction) sounds for your game protagonist.
  3. Game Design Journal (Weeks 6-8). Complete journal entries addressing designated topics.

Allocation of marks:

  • Visual Design for Games - 13 marks
  • Sound Design for Games - 7.5 marks
  • Game Design Journal (Weeks 6-8) - 4.5 marks
  • Total = 25 marks (25% of your overall score)

Supplementary notes:

  • This assignment is due on Friday 10th May 2019 - Week 8
  • Your submission must meet the constraints of the task.
  • Assets that you create for the visual and sound design tasks must be original and you cannot use someone else's Intellectual Property (IP) within your work e.g. Star Wars, Monopoly.
  • Penalties will be applied for late submission or for failing to comply with the assignment's requirements.

Please refer to the unit website for more detailed assignment criteria and supporting resources.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please refer to the unit website for assignment submission instructions.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain theories, principles and methods of game design
  • Conceptualise a game and communicate ideas through design documentation
  • Competently use software tools for creating games and game assets


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Unity 2D Digital Prototype Game, Game Concept Document (GCD) & Game Design Journal (Weeks 9-12)

Task Description

Assignment 3 draws together everything that you have learned from the MMST12017 lectures, tutorial activities and previous assignments. Your task is to develop a functional two-dimensional (2D) Unity digital game prototype which:

  • aligns with your original paper prototype game (as per Assignment 1); 
  • includes previously developed media assets (as per Assignment 2);
  • delivers a quality play experience;
  • satisfies stipulated constraints, and
  • demonstrates understanding of the practical and theoretical content covered this term.

Finally, you will document your digital prototype in a Game Concept Document (GCD) and complete the last entries in your Game Design Journal. Please refer to the unit website for detailed information about Assignment 3.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Monday (10 June 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

2 weeks after submission


Weighting
45%

Assessment Criteria

Deliverables:

  1. Unity 2D Digital Prototype Game. A functional and playable Unity 2D digital prototype game which satisfies the Assignment 3 design brief and constraints. You must provide a published version of your game, along with your Unity source files.
  2. Game Concept Document (GCD). You will create a Game Concept Document (GCD) from a specified template. 
  3. Game Design Journal (Weeks 9-12). Complete journal entries addressing designated topics.

Allocation of marks:

  • Unity 2D Digital Prototype Game - 28 marks
  • Game Concept Document (GCD) - 13 marks
  • Game Design Journal (Weeks 9-12) - 4 marks
  • Total = 45 marks (45% of your overall score)

Supplementary Notes:

  • This final assignment is due on Monday 10th June 2019 - Exam Week (follows Week 12)
  • Your digital prototype game must be functional and complete.
  • Your submission must meet the constraints of the task.
  • You must submit a copy of your Unity source files.
  • You must submit a published version of your Unity game.
  • All media components developed for the digital prototype game must be original and you cannot use someone else's Intellectual Property (IP) within your work e.g. Star Wars, Monopoly.
  • Evidence of successful experimentation and innovation will result in higher marks.
  • Penalties will be applied for late submission or failing to comply with assessment requirements (e.g. incomplete source files).

Please refer to the unit website for more detailed assignment criteria.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please refer to the unit website for assignment submission instructions.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain theories, principles and methods of game design
  • Conceptualise a game and communicate ideas through design documentation
  • Competently use software tools for creating games and game assets
  • Create a prototype for a game, applying theories, principles and methods of game design
  • Evaluate a game in terms of theories and principles of game design


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?