Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit provides a foundation in the theoretical and practical principles of game design and game narrative structures in the games development process. Utilising the principles taught in this unit, students will be given the opportunity to consider innovative games design applications together with a narrative structure and implement the consequences of their decisions as working game prototypes.

The combination of theory and practice in this unit is geared to equip students with analytical skills to assess the future capabilities of the computer game industry both commercially and for wider research purposes. The unit provides knowledge and skills which students can apply within their game development projects in the third year studio project/s (FIT3039 and FIT3040) and across all subsequent units.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will have:

• an understanding of the key principles of game design;
• an understanding of critical factors that serve to balance game design and playability;
• an understanding of implementation techniques for narrative structures in interactive environments;
• developed attitudes that enable them to be aware of the ethical issues involved with games development;
• developed attitudes that enable them to appreciate effective forms of narrative construction employed in a game environment, such as embedded and emergent game narratives and the mapping of plotlines and interactive story structures;
• developed attitudes that enable them to explore new directions in the rapidly emerging discipline of game creation;
• developed the skills to prototype a game level and implement balancing techniques to eliminate design flaws and improve player experience;
• developed the skills to analyse, identify and implement key elements in game design and narrative structures;
• demonstrated the teamwork skills necessary to develop group working skills as a member of a project team.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 40%; In-semester assessment: 60%

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Derrick Martin

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs tutorials/wk

Prerequisites

Completion of 24 points of FIT units

Prohibitions

FIT2048

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit2073.html