Assignment briefQualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – Games

DesignUnit number and title L3 Unit 68 3D Environments – Partial

Start date 19th January 2015

Deadline 6th March 2015

Assessor name Harry Arnold

Assignment title HA11 – Hidden Places

The purpose of this assignment is for you to:Be able to devise a 3D environmentBe able to create a 3D environment following industry practice

ScenarioManchester-based games developer, Slide, is keen to recruit a select team of dynamic teenage 3D designers. As part of the recruitment process you will originate, develop and produce an original 3D sandbox environment and first-person prototype using a 3D game engine, ready to be viewed and explored by the development studio. This is your opportunity to show off both your creative and technical abilities. The target audience for the concept should be 12+, male and female and so adult and violent themes should be restricted. The size or scope of your environment will be determined by the concept. Camerawork, lighting and texturing will also play an important part in this assignment.

This assignment also feeds off the HA4 assignment, 3D The Basics, which should provide inspirational research and the first learning outcome of this unit.

Work to be Submitted

Setting researchDesign pack and legal and ethical checkEnvironment modelExported models and surfaces/UV mapsGame engine environment and executable fileProduction log and evaluation

Tasks Grading Criteria

Mapping

There is additional guidance that you will need to follow posted to Unit 68’s Moodle course and all evidence produced by you must be posted to your blog. Where you use the web to carry out your research make sure that you have cited all sources.

Task 1Choose one of the following settings: Post-apocalyptic modern cityMedieval settlementSpace stationUnderwater settlement

Collect together a wide range of visual aids and research about your chosen setting. Present your findings on your blog so that you can easily work from them. This is where you will give yourself essential reference material to work from. Remember to cite all sources.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought-through ideas for a 3D environment showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 68P2, M2, D2

Task 2Plan out your environment carefully by producing a design pack. This will need to include a map of the area and details of each element to be created. You may want to use a combination of hand and computer-generated 2D and 3D sketches, diagrams, photographs and texture samples. Remember to design your environment using a modular approach wherever possible. Adaptable modules will allow you more flexibility and more fluid gameplay within the game engine.

Ensure that you have carried out a legal and ethical check of your proposal and provided appropriate evidence of this.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought-through ideas for a 3D environment showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 68P2, M2, D2

Task 3Use your design pack to build your environment within NewTek Modeler. Pay careful attention the specification required by this assignment i.e. that the resulting environment will need to function within a 3D game engine. Make sure that you save your files by date and incrementally. Ensure that you surface elements as you work (photographic and preset textures can be applied later, but you may wish to experiment by previewing your work within NewTek Layout). Record the whole of your production process within a production log that can be posted to your blog at the end of the assignment. You may need to source additional reference imagery and textures as the modelling progresses.

Remember that you are trying to create a 3D environment to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 68P3, M3, D3

Task 4Once completed, prepare your model for export, considering both the meshes and surfaces/UV maps. This may involve rationalising and simplifying your models. Record the whole of your production process within your production log.

Remember that you are trying to create a 3D environment to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 68P3, M3, D3

Task 5Construct your environment within the 3D game engine, load in the relevant textures and experiment with the lighting needed for the environment. Record the whole of your production process within your production log.

Remember that you are trying to create a 3D environment to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 68P3, M3, D3

Task 6Publish your game environment prototype as an executable file that can be explored. Include screen shots of the completed game environment prototype on your blog. You may also want to include some captured footage. Record the whole of your production process within your production log.

Remember that you are trying to create a 3D environment to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 68P3, M3, D3

Task 7

Gain feedback by allowing gamers to explore your environment and write an evaluation of your project. Use your blog posts to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design process. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has achieved the

aim of the project. Take into consideration anything said by interested parties.

Remember that you are trying to create a 3D environment to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 68P3, M3, D3

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

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Unit 68 3D EnvironmentsP1 summarise accurately theory and applications of 3D with some appropriate use of subject terminology. [IE]

M1 explain theory and applications of 3D with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology.

D1 comprehensively explain theory and applications of 3D with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly.

P2 generate outline ideas for 3D environment working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance.[CT; SM]

M2 generate detailed ideas for 3D environment showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D environment showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

P3 create 3D environment following industry practice, working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance.[CT; SM; RL]

M3 create 3D environment to a good technical standard following industry practice, showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

D3 create 3D environment to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

:PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal,learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrateeffective application of the referenced elesments of the skills.