Unit 30 Design for GamesUnit 30 Design for Games

AO5 – Design a Game Interface and Control Mechanism

AO5 asks you to design your game's Input/Output structure – the on-screen game interface the player will see and hear and the control mechanisms the player

will use.

You are going to do this by considering different styles of

* Interfaces* Navigation structures* Screen layouts* Game controllers

and deciding what of these are best for your game.

The game interface is the fundamental way the player communicates with the game, and

the game with the player

For example – traditional PC games use a mixture of graphical and text onscreen

information along with sounds (the output structure), and players use a keyboard, a

mouse and sometimes peripherals such as a joystick (the input structure)

InterfacesInterfaces

The Nintendo Wii, on the other hand, has a radically different

input structure through use of a motion sensitive control –

although it's output structures are very similar to other

interfaces.

Interface Task

● Identify at least two different interfaces that might be appropriate for games such as yours

● Choose and fully describe an interface for your game and justify your choice in relation to game play and your target audience.

Navigation StructuresNavigation Structures

Think of this like the DVD menu – how do you navigate through the start up phases of

your game as it loads – what useful activity or information should be available to you as a

player?

Navigation Structure Task

● Identify at least two navigation structures in games similar to yours

● Choose and fully describe the most appropriate navigation structure for your game and justify your choice in relation to your target audience.

Screen LayoutScreen Layout

You need to explore the different styles of playing screens,

information screens, HUDs and other ways of visually presenting

information to the player

Screen Layout Task

● Identify at least two styles of screen layout and uses of HUDs in games similar to yours

● Choose and fully describe the most appropriate screen layout for your game and justify your decision in terms of game play and your target audience

Game ControllersGame Controllers

You need to explore the different styles of input structure – the game controllers –

available to you. For a distinction you need to demonstrate and understanding of the

'cutting edge' of technology – although you might decide not to use that for your game.

Game Controller Task

● Identify at least two different available game controllers which would be suitable for your game

● Investigate and report on the latest technical developments in computer/human interaction

● Choose and fully decribe a controller suitable for your game and justify your choice with reference to game play, target audience and available technologies

PresentationPresentation

All of your work needs to be posted on your blog.

You may need to scan designs for your user interface or your controllers – or you may

create them as digital designs ready to upload

AssessmentAssessmentPass - You identify and define a very simple game interface and control mechanism for your game, although the underlying concepts may not be fully grasped.

Merit - You demonstrate a good understanding of interfaces and control mechanisms, which are well defined.

Distinction - You demonstrate a thorough understanding of interfaces and control mechanisms incorporating some advanced concepts in Human - Computer Interaction Design. You produce an excellent interface design and control mechanics specification for the game.

These tasks are designed so that if you complete them in full you should be working at Distinction