Unit 30 – Design for Games

An outline of the different assessment objectives and tasks

for this unit

The Purposes of the Unit

You should develop an understanding of the basic principles of game design and some of its key components. You will be able to:-

● Write an initial game concept● Develop characters and narrative making

use of constructive feedback● Produce a game design based on an original

concept● Present your proposals

AO1 – Basic Principles

Analyse the fundamentals of game design in traditional games and video games

● Core Mechanics

● Interactivity

● Storytelling and Narrative

● Audio Visual Elements

AO1- What's Involved

● Analyse the ways that a traditional game and a video game make use of the key principles of design

● Post your analysis on your blog – writing and images

AO2 – Initial Game Concept

Produce an Initial Game Concept document

● Gameplay

● Setting, story and characters

● Player's perspective

● Levels and modes

● Genre and Audience

AO2 – What's Involved?

● Complete all of the sections on an Initial Game Concept form

● Write/Draw/Design to develop and support your ideas

● Post your work on your blog

AO3 – Review and Amend

Review and amend your Initial Game Concept in light of feedback received

● Take feedback from peer review group and Lead Designer (and contribute feedback to others)

● Evaluate the feedback

● Finalise Game Concept

AO3 – What's Involved?

● Work in a Peer Review Group to give constructive criticism to other students

● Evaluate the feedback you receive and justify your decision to use or not use it

● Use identified feedback to complete your final Game Concept Document

● Post your work on your blog

AO4 – Develop Characters and Story

Produce a Narrative and Character Summary Document and develop your ideas and plans

● Narrative theme, genre and tone – structure and pace – mythic stories – interactive narrative

● Character appearance and backstory – strengths and weaknesses – behaviours and role – stereotypes and archetypes

AO4 – What's Involved?

● Complete all the sections on a Narrative and Character Summary document

● Write/draw/design to develop your ideas

● Work with your Peer Review Group to make constructive criticisms and then evaluate the ideas you receive and amend your work as necessary

● Post your work on your blog

AO5 – Game Interface and Control Mechanism

Define a game interface and control mechanism for your game

● Types of interface

● Navigation Structures

● Screen Control

● Game Controllers

AO5 – What's Involved?● Consider a range of

input/output structures in similar games

● Identify cutting edge development on your chosen platform

● Produce, with writing, illustration and design, a game interface and control mechanism for your game.

● Post your work on your blog.

AO6 – WalkthroughMap out a detailed walkthrough for a sequence in your game

● The set up for your sequence

● Objectives and goals for the sequence

● Gameplay details

● Paths and Options

● Storyboarding

AO6 – What's Involved?● Write a walkthrough for

a key sequence from your game

● Storyboard a cut scene that goes with the key sequence

● Walkthrough a bonus game/screen that fits with your key sequence

● Post your work on your blog

AO7 – Present a Game Design Proposal

Complete a presentation to cover

● Target audience

● Market awareness

● Comparisons with existing games

● Reasons for producing the game

● Marketing plans

AO7- What's Involved?● A detailed blogpost,

including a keynote (etc.) presentation analysing...

● Target audience

● Existing market

● Other similar games

● Take feedback

● Write marketing plan