Demo Studios assignment... · Task 5: Build and test a prototype (This task should take between 4...
Transcript of Demo Studios assignment... · Task 5: Build and test a prototype (This task should take between 4...
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2016 Suite
Cambridge TECHNICALS LEVEL 3
D Studios
Cambridge TECHNICALS LEVEL 3
IT
Unit 15
Games Design and Prototyping
Demo Studios assignment
Version 2 October 2017
ocr.org.uk/it
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Contents
Contents .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Scenario ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Part A – Job Application .................................................................................................................................. 3
Part B – Recruitment Requirements ............................................................................................................. 3
Part C – Online Portfolio ................................................................................................................................ 3
Part D – Prototype Game ............................................................................................................................... 4
Appendix A – Job Advert .................................................................................................................................... 5
The Tasks ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Task 1: Key Considerations in Game Design ............................................................................................. 6
Task 2: Compare & contrast the features of games for different audiences ....................................... 7
Task 3: Explain the benefits of prototypes .................................................................................................. 8
Task 4: Create a game design, with alternatives, and justify your design rationale and produce a
logic structure .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Task 5: Build and test a prototype .............................................................................................................. 11
Task 6: Present prototypes to get feedback and make changes, then evaluate ................................ 13
Evidence Checklist............................................................................................................................................... 14
General information ............................................................................................................................................ 16
Notes ...................................................................................................................................................................... 18
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Scenario
Part A – Job Application
You want to break into the computer games industry so you’re applying for a job as a Junior Game
Developer with a top company called Demo Studios.
As part of the job application process, Demo requires detailed evidence of your knowledge and skills,
with a special focus on your work during all stages of designing and making a prototype game.
So in line with recruitment standards across the games industry, Demo wants you to showcase your
knowledge and skills in a personal online portfolio. This will allow you to present your work at each stage
of the game design process, starting from reviewing existing games and building-up to designing and
developing your ‘final’ prototype game.
Part B – Recruitment Requirements
The job of Junior Game Developer suits you because it’s a broad role that includes design,
implementation and testing but the ‘junior’ status also means that the special focus is on ‘prototype’ as
opposed to ‘full’ games, which is idea for someone just starting their career in the industry.
Demo have produced an ad for the job that has appeared on the studio’s website – see Appendix A.
Reading the job ad very carefully, you will see it gives lots of details for the role, especially the kind
of detailed evidence required for skills and knowledge, which covers several areas but still with
that special focus on developing a prototype game.
Throughout the process of designing your prototype game you will describe the various stages
that your work through and include relevant documentation at each stage of the process.
And in line with recruitment standards across the industry, Demo requires you to showcase all
your work in an online portfolio.
Part C – Online Portfolio
On their website, Demo studios have given advice to job applicants that says: “For any new
recruit wishing to break into the industry it is absolutely imperative that they have an online
portfolio.
A portfolio should showcase a candidate’s best work first, any additional work is also welcome
but the best work should be centre stage.
A portfolio website should also be easy to navigate and don’t forget to include a link to a CV. Any
less then desirable social media links or blogs should be kept off the site. Yes we do check and, we
have rejected people based on what we found!”
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Part D – Prototype Game
On their website, Demo studios have given this advice to job applicants when it comes to
developing game prototypes:
“When assessing junior candidates, we don’t look for ground breaking game ideas, we look for a
prototype that shows that a candidate can create a simple game loop and wrap it in a user
interface. Something that could be considered a complete and self-contained ‘demo’ that is stable
and demonstrates competencies with core concepts.
“It’s very tempting to over scope a game idea. Games companies do it all the time – but it leads to
lots of content being cut towards the end of the project! So it’s important for candidates to keep
the scope of their prototypes realistic and within the expected level of their ability. Still, the
challenge is to be creative and thrive within these constraints!”
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Appendix A – Job Advert
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The Tasks
Task 1: Key Considerations in Game Design
(This task should take between 1 and 1.25 hours)
Learning Outcome 1 (part): Understand the principles of game design and prototyping.
Your task is to outline key considerations that support games design.
Pass Merit Distinction
P1: Outline key considerations
that support games design
Evidence
A written report or presentation – P1
You are required to identify key features in a range of games and describe their purpose. This
could be most effectively achieved by reviewing different types of games with a different focus,
genre or purpose.
Common key features include:
• purpose of a game
• audience of a game
• common features in games
• first/third person
• player characters
• non-player characters
• sprites
• achievement attainment
• maintaining a player’s interest
• player interaction/controls
• player immersion
• progression
• competition (e.g. highscore)
The evidence for this could be presented as a written review or report, or a presentation.
This work must be in your own words & provide a comprehensive summary of your findings.
It is important that you correctly reference all sources used, following appropriate conventions.
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Task 2: Compare & contrast the features of games for different audiences
(This task should take between 1 and 1.25 hours)
Learning Outcome 1 (part): Understand the principles of game design and prototyping.
Your task is to compare & contrast the features of games for different audiences.
Pass Merit Distinction
M1: Compare and contrast
the features of games for
different audiences
Evidence
A written report or presentation – M1
You are required to identify the features of games for different audiences.
You are required to compare the use of features and comment on the suitability for different
audiences and genres.
As mentioned in P1, the common key features include:
• purpose of a game
• audience of a game
• common features in games
• first/third person
• player characters
• non-player characters
• sprites
• achievement attainment
• maintaining a player’s interest
• player interaction/controls
• player immersion
• progression
• competition (e.g. highscore)
The evidence for this could be presented as a written review or report, or a presentation.
This can be an extension of P1.
The work must be in your own words & provide a comprehensive summary of your findings.
It is important that you correctly reference all sources used, following appropriate
conventions.
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Task 3: Explain the benefits of prototypes
(This task should take between 1 and 1.25 hours)
Learning Outcome 1 (part): Understand the principles of game design and prototyping.
Your task is to explain the benefits of developing game prototypes.
Pass Merit Distinction
P2: Explain the benefits of
developing game prototypes
Evidence
You are required to explain the benefits of developing a prototype for a game considering
these criteria:
• types of prototyping e.g. visual/representational (non-working) & proof of
concept (working)
• testing concepts
• gauging player interest
• skill level required
• gauging difficulty of achievement
• clarity of interface
• clarity of understanding of gameplay/goals
You should also consider the benefits of building a prototype, such as:
• ensures the design does what it is supposed to do
• helps to identify and address problems at an early stage
• gives the client and end-user an appreciation of the final product
• allows developer to explore ideas and obtain feedback with the client and end-user
The evidence for this could be presented as a report or a presentation (either videoed or with
detailed speaker notes).
This work must be in your own words & provide a comprehensive summary of your findings.
It is important that you correctly reference all sources used, following appropriate
conventions.
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Task 4: Create a game design, with alternatives, and justify your design rationale and produce a logic structure
(This task should take between 4 and 5.25 hours)
Learning Outcome 2: Be able to develop game concepts
Your task is to:
Create a design for an identified game concept
Pass Merit Distinction
P3: Create a design for an
identified game concept M2: Prepare alternative
interface designs for the
identified game concept
D1: Justify the design
rationale for the identified
game concept P4: Produce a logic structure
for the identified game
concept
Evidence
Design for an identified game concept - P3
You are required to create a design for a game concept. You need to produce full design
documentation that includes chosen game elements and relevant interface designs, stage
designs and character generation, in addition to the core considerations and purpose for the
game. Your design should cover key features of a game, such as:
• Game elements, including:
- navigation
- scoring
- movement
- interaction/controls
- conveying information
- sound
- levels
- enemies
- problem solving
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• Interface design, including:
- layout
- colour palette
- text styles
- sound
- stage/scene
- actions (e.g. menus/buttons)
• Stage design, including:
- perspective e.g. 2D or 3D
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• Character generation, including:
- bitmaps
- wireframe
Your designs in each area must contain enough detail to enable them to be understood by a
third party. Classic design documentation includes the following:
• requirement specification
• design specification
• project plan
• system flowchart
• top-down
• JSP
Alternative interface designs – P4
You are required to prepare alternative interface designs to the one identified in P3. The
alternative designs must contain enough detail to enable them to be understood by a third
party. Evidence can be an extension of P3 and be presented as additional visualisations or
written explanatory designs, or a combination of both.
Justify the design rationale - D1
You are required to justify your design choices and explain why they are suitable for the
identified audience and purpose of the game concept. Evidence can be an extension of P3 and
M2, and can be an addition to the design documentation, a presentation or a report, but
should reference the designs submitted.
Logic structure - P4
You are required to produce a logic structure for your game concept. Evidence would be the
completed documentation, which may include diagrams, etc. You should use suitable
documentation, such as:
• a clear definition of objectives of game
• a flow chart showing the ‘flow’ of the game through single or multiple layers with
single or multiple players
The evidence for your design documentation should include visualisations or written
explanatory designs, or a combination of both, and including alternatives, together with
diagrams, such as flowcharts.
All this work must be in your own words & provide a comprehensive summary of your
findings. It is important that you correctly reference all sources used, following appropriate
conventions.
Your designs in each area must contain enough detail to enable them to be understood by a
third party.
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Task 5: Build and test a prototype
(This task should take between 4 and 5.25 hours)
Learning Outcome 3: Be able to develop game prototypes
Your task is to explain the benefits of developing game prototypes.
Pass Merit Distinction
P5: Build a prototype using core
programming techniques and
test for functionality
Evidence
Build & test a prototype – P5
You are required to understand different ways that a prototype can be produced using bespoke
software for game development.
You are required to build a prototype for the game concept, whole demonstrating demonstrate
these programming techniques:
• variables/constants
• strings
• inputs
• outputs
• sequence
• selection
• iteration (e.g. counting/conditional)
• subroutines (e.g. functions/procedures)
• conditions
• counting
• totalling
• data structures (e.g. arrays/lists)
• file handling
• maintainable code
• libraries
Your prototype could be a particular level or module of the full game concept. Evidence of the
prototype could be presented in the form of annotated screenshots or as a video of a working
prototype, or the prototype itself.
You are also required to plan and carry out testing of their prototype. Testing must be thorough
enough to prove the prototype is functional and meets requirements. Classic testing techniques
include:
• test plans • test data
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• black box • white box • alpha • beta • user testing
All this work must be in your own words & provide a comprehensive record of the development
and testing of your protoype.
It is important that you correctly reference all sources used, following appropriate conventions.
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Task 6: Present prototypes to get feedback and make changes, then evaluate
(This task should take between 1 and 1.25 hours)
Learning Outcome 4: Be able to present and evaluate game concepts
Your task is to explain the benefits of developing game prototypes.
Pass Merit Distinction
P6: Present the prototype to
stakeholders to obtain
feedback on the games
concept
M3: Make changes to the
games design and prototype
based on stakeholder
feedback
D2: Evaluate the game design
and prototype against the
identified game concept
Evidence
You are required to
Present Prototype and Obtain Feedback - P6
You are required to present the prototype to stakeholders to obtain feedback on the games
concept. Your evidence could be in the form of a video of you demonstrating the prototype to
the stakeholders and receiving feedback. Evidence could also be documented feedback from
the stakeholders supported by a detailed witness testimony explaining how you delivered the
presentation and the reaction from the stakeholders.
Make changes to the design & prototype based on feedback - M3
You are required to analyse the results of the feedback from the stakeholders and make
changes to the games design and prototype based on the feedback provided.
Evaluate the game design and prototype - D2
You are required to evaluate the game design and prototype against the identified game
concept. You should evaluate each stage of the design and provide a rationale as to how your
game design and prototype reflects the original game concept.
This work must be in your own words & provide a comprehensive record of your evaluation
work.
It is important that you correctly reference all sources used, following appropriate
conventions.
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Evidence Checklist
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technicals in IT
Unit 15: Games Design & Protoyping
For PASS have you:
(as a minimum you have to show you can meet every pass
criterion to complete the unit)
Where can your tutor find the
evidence? Give page
no(s)/digital timings, etc.
Outlined key considerations that support games design (P1)
e.g. A report or presentation.
Explained the benefits of developing game prototypes (P2)
e.g. A report or presentation.
Created a design for an identified game concept (P3)
e.g. Detailed design documentation with annotated
diagrams and/or visualisations
Produced a logic structure for the identified game concept
(P4)
e.g. Flow chart
Built a prototype using core programming techniques and
tested for functionality (P5)
e.g. A prototype and testing evidence
Presented the prototype to stakeholders and obtained
feedback on the games concept (P6)
e.g. A video of you demonstrating the prototype to the
stakeholders and receiving feedback plus documented
feedback from the stakeholders supported by a detailed
witness testimony explaining how you delivered the
presentation and the reaction from the stakeholders.
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For Merit have you: Where can your tutor find the
evidence?
Compared and contrasted the features of games for
different audiences (M1)
e.g. A report or presentation comparing and contrasting
different games
Prepared alternative interface designs for the identified
game concept (M2)
e.g. Additional visualisations or written explanatory designs,
or a combination of both.
Made changes to the games design and prototype based on
stakeholder feedback (M3)
e.g. Analysis of feedback from stakeholders plus detailed
evidence of changes made to design & prototype, such as
updated visualisation and annotated screenshots
For Distinction have you: Where can your tutor find
the evidence?
Justified the design rationale for the identified game concept
(D1)
e.g. Extended commentary to diagrams (P3 and M2) with
supporting justification
Evaluated the game design and prototype against the
identified game concept (D2)
e.g. Feedback analysis and implementation audit
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General information
Q What do I need to do to pass this assignment?
A You need to produce evidence to meet the requirements of all the pass criteria for the unit this
assignment relates to. If you miss just one pass criterion, you will not achieve this unit and will receive an unclassified result.
Q What do I need to do if I want to get a merit or distinction for this assignment?
A For a merit, you need to produce evidence to meet the requirements of all the pass criteria for
the unit this assignment relates to and you need to produce evidence to meet all the merit criteria.
For a distinction, in addition to the above, you also need to meet all the distinction criteria .
Q What help will I get?
A Your tutor will support you when completing this assignment and will make sure that you know
what resources or facilities you need and are allowed to use. We’ve given your tutor information about how much support they can give you.
Q What if I don’t understand something?
A It’s your responsibility to read the assignment carefully and make sure you understand what you need to do and
what you should hand in. If you are not sure, check with your tutor. Q I’ve been told I must not plagiarise. What does this mean?
A Plagiarism is when you take someone else’s work and pass this off as your own, or if you fail to
acknowledge sources properly. This includes information taken from the internet.
It’s not just about presenting a whole copied assignment as your own; you will also be plagiarising if you use the ideas or words of others without acknowledgement, and this is why it’s important to reference your work correctly (see Q&A below for more information on referencing).
Plagiarism has serious consequences; you could lose the grade for this unit or you may not be allowed to achieve the whole qualification.
Always remember that the work you produce must be your own work. You will be asked to sign a declaration to say that it is.
Q What is referencing and where can I find out more information about it?
A Referencing is the process of acknowledging the work of others. If you use someone else’s words
and ideas in your assignment, you must acknowledge it, and this is done through referencing.
You should think about why you want to use and reference other people’s work. If you need to show your own knowledge or understanding about an aspect of subject content in your assignment, then just quoting and referencing someone else’s work will not show that you know or understand it. Make sure it’s clear in your work how you are using the material you have referenced to inform your thoughts, ideas or conclusions.
You can find more information about how to reference in the The OCR Guide to Referencing available on our website: http://www.ocr.org.uk/i-want-to/skills-guides/.
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Q Can I work in a group? A Yes. However, if you work in a group at any stage, you must still produce work that shows your
individual contribution. Your tutor can advise you how to do this.
Q Does my work for each task need to be in a particular format? A You can present your work in a variety of ways – it can be handwritten, word-processed, on video
or in digital media. What you choose should be appropriate to the task(s) and your tutor can advise you. There may be times when you need proof that you have completed the work yourself: for example, if you do something during work placement that you want to use as evidence, the tutor might ask the employer to provide a witness statement.
Make sure you check the wording in each task carefully. For each task, we’ll tell you if your evidence has to be in a specific format:
If we say use the word ‘must’, for example ‘You must produce a report’ or ‘Your
evidence/work must include a diagram’, then you must produce the work in the stated format. If we use the word ‘could’, for example ‘You could include sketches of your ideas’ or ‘You could
do this by annotating your diagram’, this means that you are not required to follow the format we have given, but you must make sure that the work you do produce allows you to demonstrate the requirements of the grading criteria.
If you are unsure about what evidence you need, please ask your tutor.
Q Can I ask my tutor for feedback on my work? A Yes, but they can’t give you detailed feedback.
We have given your tutor instructions on what kind of feedback they can give you. For example,
they are not allowed to tell you exactly what to do to make your work better, but they can remind you about what they’ve taught you and you can use this additional learning to try and improve your
work independently. They can say what they’ve noticed might be wrong with your work, for example if your work is descriptive where an evaluation is required, but your tutor can’t tell you
specifically what you need to do to change it from a description to an evaluation – you will need to work out what you need to do and then do it for yourself.
Q When I have finished, what do I need to do? A If you have included the personal details (such as name, address or date of birth) of someone
other than yourself in your work, this must be blanked out (anonymised) – your tutor will tell you how to do this. You don’t need to do this for information contained in references.
You can complete the evidence checklist to show your tutor where they can find the evidence for
each grading criterion in your work.
You should make sure your work is labelled, titled and in the correct order for assessing.
Hand in the work that you’ve completed for each task to your tutor. They might ask to see your
draft work, so please keep your draft work in a safe place. Q How will my work be assessed? A Your work will be marked by someone in your centre who has been authorised to do so. They
will use the information in the grading criteria to decide which grade your work meets. The grading criteria are detailed in each unit and are also given in the tasks within this assignment. Please ask your tutor if you are unsure what the grading criteria are for this assignment.
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Notes
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