SIT254 - Game Design

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Guy Wood-Bradley
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: SIT152
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 1 hour online lecture per week, 1 x 2 hour practical experience (workshop) per week.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning including 1 x 1 hour online lecture per week (recordings provided), 1 x 2 hour online practical experience (workshop) per week.

Content

This unit aims to provide students an appreciation of what it means to be a games designer. Students will explore the process of games design and apply key concepts including gameplay mechanics, rule design, play mechanics, game balancing and play testing in implementing a game. Students will also learn how to document a game design, apply professional standards and deliver an industry quality pitch for their game. This is a very hands-on unit, where students will create and implement a games design and critique their peers’ creations to determine how best to create a game experience for specific audiences.  In the process of creating games students will be required to use a variety of software technologies including industry-standard games engines. While prior programming experience would be beneficial, it is not a prerequisite to study this unit.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Prepare and present an industry quality design pitch to effectively communicate games design.

GLO2: Communication
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO2

Produce games design documentation that demonstrates sound knowledge and application of design approaches, rules and professional standards in a group work setting.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO7: Teamwork
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO3

Demonstrate evidence of game mechanics and rule structures through a computer game prototype produced within a group work setting.

GLO2: Communication
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO4

Demonstrate sound knowledge of the principles of games design in an applied context.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1
Game pitch
Written report, approximately 3 pages and feedback 20% Weeks 4 and 5
Assessment 2
Group computer game prototype and design documentation
Written report, approximately 2500 words and development documentation 60% Week 11
Assessment 3
Choose your own adventure
Written reflection 20% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SIT254 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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