ASCED Discipline Group classification: 029999 Information Technology not elsewhere classified
This unit examines the fundamental issues of games development. The history of games and the games industry is studied. A variety of games genre are explained and contrasted. Topics include the different contributions from members of the games development team, the types of hardware used across various platforms for game implementation, the role of games engines, the importance of physics in ensuring realism and the manner in which system analysis can be applied to games development.
Objectives
Knowledge and Understanding
be able to describe the history and current status of the games industry
be able to discuss a range of common games genres and characteristics/examples of each (eg. RPG, first person shooters, educational, adventure)
be able to describe the roles of different components of the games development team - audio, design, production, programming, visual arts and business/sales
be able to describe the processes used to balance game design in order to enhance game playability
be able to apply systems analysis and design principles to the development of games
be able to describe several common games engines which are currently in use in the market place and how games are developed based on these
be able to explain the role of game physics in areas such as movement, friction, gravity and collision in enhancing realism
Attitudes, Values and Beliefs
be aware of the ethical issues involved with games development
develop a positive approach to teamwork, seeing game development as a team task
Practical Skills
given a game scenario, use gameplay balancing techniques to eliminate design flaws and improve player experience
be able to create a game 'level' (an interactive environment) using a set game engine
using a supplied game engine be able to write scripting code to manipulate actions
prepare a critical analysis of selected game
prepare a design document for a game in the three main areas of user interaction, the internal structure of the game and the program structures which will be required
Relationships, Communication and TeamWork
further develop group working skills as a member of a project team
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed
MMS1802 or FIT1002
, or equivalent.
Unit relationships
FIT2048 is a core unit in the Multimedia Games Development major of the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems (BITS).
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed
MMS1802 or FIT1002
, or equivalent..
You may not study this unit and
MMS2102
in your degree.
Texts and software
Required text(s)
Rollings, Andrew and Ernest Adams, 'Game Design and Development: Fundamentals of Game Design', Pearson, 2006, ISBN: 0-13-168747-6
Textbook availability
Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.
Software requirements
Unreal Runtime Engine 2226.20.02, Epic Games
Software may be:
downloaded from http://udn.epicgames.com/Files/UE2/Runtime/UE2Runtime-22262002_Demo.exe
Hardware requirements
Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Recommended reading
Rollings, Andrew and Ernest Adams, 'On Game Design', New Riders, 2003, ISBN: 1592730019
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for FIT2048 are:
The FIT2048 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly lab requirements, assessment specifications and supplementary material will be made available.
Structure and organisation
Week
Topics
Study Guide
Key Dates
1
Game Concepts
Chapters 1-3
2
Storytelling and Narrative
Chapters 6-8
3
Game Genres
Chapters 13-20
4
Gameplay
Chapters 9-11
Group assessment documentation due
5
Ethics of Gaming
Chapter 4
6
Physics and Level Design
Chapter 12
Individual assessment due
Non teaching week
7
Online Games
Chapter 11
8
Cinema in games
Chapter 7-8
9
AI, Flexible game mechanics
Chapter 20
10
Mod Development
11
The Future of Gaming
12
Exam revision
Group Assessment game level due
13
no lecture
Timetable
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
Assessment for the unit consists of 2 assignments with a weighting of 60% and an examination with a weighting of 40%. Read this section VERY carefully.
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
Obtain an overall result of at least 50%
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
Your final grade will be calculated on one of the following conditions:
1. If your assignment component is equal to 0%, then
Final grade = E / 2.5
2. If your examination component is equal to 0%, then
Final grade = A / 2.5
3. If both your examination and assignment components are greater than 0%, then
Final grade = (R*A*E) / (((R-1)*A)+E)
Where
A = overall assignment percentage
E = examination percentage
R = 100 / assignment weighting (100 / 40 = 2.5)
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Group Assessment: Documentation
Monday, 19th March, 3pm
5%
Group Assessment: Game Level
Friday, 25th May, 3pm
25 %
Individual Assessment
Monday, 2nd April, 3pm
30 %
The exam is 2 hours long and is closed book.
Exam period (S1/07) starts on 07/06/07
40 %
Assignment specifications will be made available on the FIT2048 MUSO assessment page.
Assignment Submission
Written assignments will be submitted by electronic submission through the MUSO submission system, after completing the online plagiarism declaration.
CD-ROM assignments will be submitted at the drop-box near the Faculty information desk, with the appropriate cover sheet correctly filled out and attached .
The due date is the date by which the submission must be received/the date by which the the submission is to be posted.
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 10% per day late, measured 24 hours after the submission time.
Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not normally be accepted.
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions.
Requests for extensions must be made by email to the Unit Lecturer at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward a written extension request form, original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
Assignment return
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
Plagiarism and cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
Communication
Communication methods
Communication can be made to the Unit Lecturer through email or the MUSO discussion groups.
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the General Discussions Newsgroup in the MUSO Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the General Discussions newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
Monday, 11am - 1pm
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
Mr Derrick Martin Assistant Lecturer Phone +61 3 990 47131
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
