Designing a Game Concept Unit R 091 Name

Designing a Game Concept Unit R 091 Name: ______ Media - Miss Samuels

What are you aiming for? • LO 1 Understand digital game types and platforms • LO 2 Be able to plan a digital game concept • LO 3 Be able to design a digital game proposal • LO 4 Be able to review a digital game proposal 2

What will you be studying? This unit will enable you to understand the world of game design. Looking at the varied range of platforms and games, which will help you explain, plan and design a game concept which would be industry standard. The unit will ensure you can identify core features of digital games and also gain the knowledge to create a games design concept proposal. This unit will also enable you to understand how to plan and design digital games for the creative digital media sector. During this unit you’ll learn various media and digital skills from Photoshop to Podcasting. On completion of this unit, learners will explain , review and self evaluate different types of digital games, including their own game concept. They will be able to plan and design a digital game concept and also present a game proposal to a client or focus group. 3

Designing a Game Brief 1 • You have been asked to write a proposal for a new game which will help to improve road safety. Your client is a government department that wants a game-based learning method to replace the ‘public information films’ produced by the Central Information Office to inform and educate the public. • The game must be aimed at a target audience of 12– 18 year olds. It could focus on some or all of the following groups of road users: • �pedestrians • �cyclists • �drivers of motor vehicles. • Any computer game that allows the target audience to develop or practise some or all of the following skills would be appropriate: • �reaction times • �judging speed and direction • �observation • �avoiding obstacles. • The game proposal must explain your chosen game components, narrative and gameplay. The client has no preference for any particular platform or hardware for the game. 4

Designing a Game Brief 2 You have been asked to write a proposal for a new game by the government to encourage healthier lifestyles. With reports that childhood obesity has risen by 42% in the last 5 years, the local government would like a game to be created which inspires young people to make healthier choices. The game must be aimed at a target audience of 12– 18 year olds. It could focus on some or all of the following: • Exercise • Healthy food swaps • Creating recipes • Making smart choices The game proposal must explain your chosen game components, narrative and gameplay. The client has no preference for any particular platform or hardware for the game. 5

Designing a Game Brief 3 You have been asked to write a game proposal by the local education authority who believe students entering secondary school need help with developing their math skills. The client would like you to create a game which is tailored to females aged 8 -12 and allows them to learn new skills and gain confidence in some/all of the following: • Multiplication • Subtraction • Timetables • Division • Fractions The client would like the game to be as fun as possible but still encourage a learning aspect. It can be made on any computer platform. 6

Designing a Game Brief 4 The Science museum has commissioned a new game to be created which mirrors their exhibition on the human body. The client would like the game to be created so that 12 -18 year olds are encouraged to take more of an interest in biology and would want to visit the Science museum more. The client doesn’t mind what platform is used for the game but would like it to do some/all of the following: • Explore the human skeleton • Encourage kids to learn about the human body in a fun way • Entice kids to learn cool science facts. • Develop observation skills • Teaching about the anatomy. 7

Progress and quality checker: Tick each box to track your progress What to complete: Still learning about it Draft complete and proofread/marked Feel confident it’s complete and to a high standard. Digital Platforms– Digital game evolution article. Article includes an extensive summary on types of hardware platforms. Review at least 3 platforms from different generations. Gamer profile: Create a gaming profile which uses your research of platforms & games. Audience research vox pops and evaluation Game Genre Analysis Prezi A detailed analysis of digital games evolution and their characteristics from a wide range of genres. Game Objectives investigation essay – 800 words minimum Choose 4 digital games to explain accurately their objectives and style. 8

Learning Objective One: What to complete: Achieved / Date Feedback: Digital Platforms– Digital game evolution article. Article includes an extensive summary on types of hardware platforms. Review at least 3 platforms from different generations. Gamer profile: Create a gaming profile which uses your research of platforms & games. Audience research vox pops and evaluation Game Genre Analysis Prezi A detailed analysis of digital games evolution and their characteristics from a wide range of genres. Game Objectives investigation essay – 800 words minimum Choose 4 digital games to explain accurately their objectives and style. 9

Progress and quality checker: Tick each box to track your progress What to complete: Still learning about it Draft complete and proofread/marked Feel confident it’s complete and to a high standard. Create a game design pitch based on a client’s requirement brief. Target audience profile : Mood board: Physical or digital mood board based on the platform you would like to use for your game idea. n/a Mind map : Physical or digital. Create a mind map for your new game, which includes: genre, narrative, concept, characters and environment. n/a Group game-making task: Written explanation on choice of platform and game play. Analysed sketch of game (objectives and characters described). 10

Learning Objective Two: What to complete: Achieved / Date Feedback: Create a game design concept pitch based on a client’s requirement brief. Target audience profile : Mood board: Physical or digital mood board based on the platform you would like to use for your game idea. Mind map : Physical or digital. Create a mind map for your new game, which includes: genre, narrative, concept, characters and environment. Group game-making task: - Written explanation on choice of platform and game play. Analysed sketch of game (objectives and characters described). 11

Progress and quality checker: Tick each box to track your progress What to complete: Still learning about it Draft complete and proofread/marked Feel confident it’s complete and to a high standard. SWOT and Restrictions report: Using your game idea what are constraints and opportunities? Summarize your findings in a written report along with your SWOT. Age Rating analysis Prezi (Print and include your answer to the following: ) How can you use this research to influence your game idea and use appropriate material? Visualisation for game proposal appropriate to brief and restrictions. Clearly presented. n/a Group work plan: outline for game narrative presentation. Individual outline game narrative: Audio recording 12

Learning Objective Three: What to complete: Achieved / Date Feedback: SWOT and Restrictions report: Using your game idea what are constraints and opportunities? Age Rating analysis Prezi (Print and include your answer to the following: ) How can you use this research to influence your game idea and use appropriate material? Visualisation for game proposal - appropriate to brief and restrictions. Clearly presented. Group work plan: outline for game narrative presentation. Individual outline game narrative: Audio recording 13

Progress and quality checker: Tick each box to track your progress What to complete: Still learning about it Draft complete and proofread/marked Feel confident it’s complete and to a high standard. Game proposal review: Example review Self assessment review Explain game components, narrative and game play. Gaming magazine article: Peer review article – what works well, what would improve the concept/design, how does it relate to a target audience Logo and Branding: Create a logo for your game Evaluation report: n/a 800 word essay Identify areas for improvement and further development of the game design concept. 14

Learning Objective Four: What to complete: Achieved / Date Feedback: Game proposal review: Example review Self assessment review Explain game components, narrative and game play. Gaming magazine article: Peer review article – what works well, what would improve the concept/design, how does it relate to a target audience Logo and Branding: Create a logo for your game Evaluation report: 800 word essay Identify areas for improvement and further development of the game design concept. 15

GAME OVER What did you enjoy most about this unit? What did you find challenging or tough? What would you like more help with in the future? Tweet your learning from this unit 16