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Assignment 1 Tasks
To complete Assignment 1 successfully, you must submit the following items:
Paper Prototype Game. Fully playable with all supporting assets.
Game Design Journal (blog) for Weeks 2-5. 1x reflective entry per week on set topics.
Assignment 1 = 30% of your overall grade for MMST12017
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Task 1: Paper Prototype Game
Overview
Paper prototype testing of game designs is an accepted method employed by most game
studios and independent developers. Why? Because it is easier, cheaper, faster and less
problematic than diving straight into digital development. Most importantly, it allows
designers to get feedback from playtesters before too much time and energy is invested.
Although it is not perfect, paper prototyping allows designers to robustly test the core
mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics of the proposed gameworld.
Task
Drawing on the Unity Playground source files for inspiration, you will design and develop
an original and playable paper prototype game idea that is suitable for adaption into a
digital prototype for Assignment 3. Specifically, you will create a traditional board, tabletop
or card-deck version of your game idea and supply the rules and procedures for play.
Functions that will be computer-controlled in your Assignment 3 digital game e.g. player
movement, hazards, power-ups and enemies will need to be achieved using simple,
manual procedures on paper. Examples of this include, but are not limited, to the
following:
Moving players around the paper game board e.g. using dice-rolls, standard moves per
turn, a spinner or other mechanic.
Managing interactions and experiences e.g. combat, finding & using power-ups, traps and
other game ‘Events’ (refer to ‘Game Assets’ below).
Deciding the outcome of combat/challenging events i.e. who ‘wins’ when a player
encounters an enemy or obstacle.
In-line with advice provided in the Game Design Workshop textbook, you will thoroughly
playtest your design and incorporate player feedback to improve your game and deliver
the best player experience possible.
Advice. You will find this task challenging. Assignment 1 reflects the first stage in the
game design process, so keep your ideas simple. Plan your concept carefully, as not all
your ideas will work on paper and the screen. Concentrate on the creation of an original
game idea, game mechanics, formal & dramatic elements, and the development of
engaging and robust gameplay.
Resources. The weekly tutorial activities, in addition to the game design theory covered
during Weeks 3-5, will provide enough information to undertake this process. Additionally,
previous student exemplars are available on the MMST12017 Game Design Microsoft
Teams site which you can access with your CQU student account.
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Game Constraints
Although you have a degree of flexibility for your design, some constraints have been
applied:
1. Key Thematic Element: SPACE
Your game design MUST include the concept thematic element ‘SPACE’ as a meaningful
ingredient in your gameplay. How you do this is up to you e.g. space might be a reference
to your core game mechanic (perhaps the ‘Space bar’ on your keyboard is used to
overcome obstacles?); space might make reference to your game environment e.g. a
confined space; lots of space, or even outer space. It might even be a concept or metaphor
which is relevant to the game’s narrative, environment or character. Surprise me!
2. Mode
• Individual (no group work)
3. Mechanics
Your paper prototype game MUST include systems to control the following:
• player movement e.g. dice, cards, spinner, players move pre-set distances each turn
etc.
• drawing of surprise ‘Event’ game cards (chance / randomness) from a small deck of
cards that you will develop. This promoted replayability
You must provide gameplay rules and procedures with your game assets. All game
mechanics MUST be demonstrable during gameplay AND explained sufficiently.
4. Dynamics
• Objective – Free choice. For example, you may select ‘Escape’ (refer to the Week 3
courseware)
5. Genre
• Free choice.
6. Aesthetics
The following aesthetics MUST be factored into your game and relate to the core thematic
element ‘SPACE’, with priority given in the following order:
• Narrative: Game as drama (strong backstory that sets the scene and creates
interest)
• Discovery: Game as uncharted territory (make the player feel like an explorer!)
• Challenge: Game as obstacle course (include escalated challenges)
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In other words, the prototype game must not only meet the standard expectations
(enjoyment & challenge) but also demonstrate the three-aesthetics defined above.
Narrative is more important than discovery, and challenge, but all must be factored into
your design. How you do this is up to you!
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Looking for a higher grade?
Although the design of engaging and well-designed gameplay is the key
requirement of this task, additional points are awarded for displaying innovation,
creativity or developing higher-quality artwork and supporting game assets.
Game Assets
You MUST upload ALL game assets that are required to play your paper prototype game, in
accordance with the submission instructions, specifically:
Game board. The game will require a game board (how this looks is up to you) which
represents the ‘level design’ that you intend to develop digitally for Assignment 3. Take
into consideration that your final Unity game will have two (2) levels, so this may, or
may not impact your design. Your game board will be submitted digitally along with all
other game assets as stated in the assessment requirements.
‘Event’ Cards. You must create and implement a series of ‘Event’ cards within the
gameplay; the design, purpose and use of these cards is up to you as the designer. The
‘Event’ cards represent things that would occur digitally during the final game that you
submit for Assignment 3. You must include ALL cards required for the game and each
must be documented appropriately. These cards may include, but are not limited to:
o random events;
o encounters (enemies / inhabitants);
o combat;
o power-ups;
o health;
o inventory items (to assist player), and/or
o penalties (e.g. Monopoly ‘Go straight to Jail’ card).
Playing equipment. If your game requires common gameplay components such as
dice, simple counters or playing cards, these should be clearly listed in your rules (they
do not need to be supplied). All other assets required for gameplay MUST be submitted.
Rules and Procedures. A set of playing rules and procedures MUST be submitted. This
document will cover all game interactions (including use of ‘Event’ cards).
Your game must be complete and playable. Do NOT submit a UX/UI wireframe
approximation of what you think a digital version of your game may look like (as
commonly found on YouTube). Your paper prototype MUST be a paper-based game
which is suitable for playtesting with real players.
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Task 2: Game Design Journal (Moodle blog) for Weeks 2-5
Using your individual Game Design Journal on Moodle, you will make weekly entries on
the following topics:
o Week 2 – Describe a game that draws you into the ‘Magic Circle’ of gameplay?
o Week 3 – Critically reflect on a traditional (non-digital) game of your choice, relating it
to your present understanding of game design theory.
o Week 4 – Critically reflect on how your game uses ‘Event’ cards to introduce
randomness and increase replay value. How do these complement the mandatory
thematic element ‘SPACE’?
o Week 5 – Critically reflect on your mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics of play. How
did you use playtesting and player feedback to iterate and improve your game?
Additional information
o Journal entries do NOT need to be written; you may use short video or audio recordings
instead. Whatever format they take, they MUST be reflective.
o The journal is NOT shared publicly and is only visible to the student and course staff.
o Journal submissions made after the Assignment 1 due date will NOT bemarked.
o You are welcome to include ideas, concepts or reference images for your game
designs.
o If you require help or specific feedback, please indicate by embedding a ‘Tag’ in your
post. There are 2x tags available: ‘help!’ and ‘feedbackrequired’.
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Presentation and Submission
You must submit the following files through the unit Assignment 1 Moodle page:
1. Paper Prototype Game. 1x ZIP file labelled Lastname_Assignment1.zip containing
everything needed to play your prototype game.
2. Game Design Journal (Weeks 2-5). Submitted weekly via the Moodle ‘Assessment’
block i.e. ‘Game Design Journal (Blog)’.
How will I be Marked?
Assignment 1 is worth 30% of your overall marks for MMST12017 Game Design.
The assessment marking rubric is available from the Assignment 1 page. You are encouraged to
download the rubric as it explains how marks are allocated, and allows you to make an educated
guess about how you will perform.
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Tips & Tricks
Having facilitated this unit for 5 years, I offer the following tried-and-tested advice:
Start simple. For many of you this will be the first type that you have attempted to design
a game. Start with a simple (but interesting) game idea and set realistic expectations for
what you can develop this term. A good game is well-planned, has engaging & robust
gameplay and attractive supporting assets. The tasks are built around this premise, so use
your time effectively. Rest assured that there is scope for you to extend your game ideas as
you develop knowledge and skills.
Understand where you want to go, then work backwards to achieve it. The outcome for
MMST12017 is a functional 2D digital game so it is sensible understand how we are going
to achieve this from the beginning of term. My advice is to invest some time to understand
the strengths and weaknesses of the Unity Playground framework before you begin. By
doing so you can confidently plan an engaging and achievable game that you can take
from paper to pixels whilst meeting the assessment due dates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). On the MMST12017 Game Design Microsoft Teams site
you will find a Question & Answer (Q&A) channel where you can ask questions of the Unit
Coordinator, along with a ‘Files’ area which contains previous student exemplars.
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Additional Information
Academic Penalties. Standard academic penalties will apply for late submission or failing
to comply with the assignment requirements.
Plagiarism. You must own the copyright for all media assets (photographs, illustrations,
animations, sound etc.) that you use in your paper prototype. In other words, you are
restricted to using media that you have created yourself from scratch. You may not use
clipart or royalty-free images. You may not download someone else’s images or sounds
from the Web. You may not scan someone else’s image from a printed publication. You
may not capture images, or sound that someone else has created. You may not take
someone else’s image to create a new media asset.
Extensions. Should you require an assignment extension, please submit an Assignment
Extension Request (AER) through the MMST12017 Moodle site.
Distance Students. Off-campus students don’t have direct access to classmates so are
encouraged to submit rough game ideas to the Unit Coordinator for feedback; this can be
done via the Microsoft Teams’ site, email, phone or video conference (refer to MMST12017
Moodle page for contact information). Students should ask friends and family to playtest
your paper prototype game in order to receive useful feedback to help you iterate and
improve your game design.
Referencing. Academic writing is not required for the written unit assessment items (e.g.
reflective journal, rules and procedures).
Pre-Submission Checklist
Previous experience indicates that students often forget to cover off on some of the basics.
Use this quick checklist to help you achieve the best possible marks:
| Is your game complete and playable? Have you playtested your game with real peopleand iterated? |
Yes / No Yes / No |
| Have you supplied all game assets? (rules, procedures, cards, board & pieces)? Yes / No | |
| Have you met all constraints? (theme & aesthetics, addressed all tasks) Have your proofread your work? (better still, ask someone else to) Are your blog posts logical and do they demonstrate your depth of understanding and application of knowledge? Are your files in the correct format, and labelled as perthe guidelines? |
Yes / No Yes / No |
| Yes / No Yes / No |
AssignmentTutorOnline
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Appendix
Unity Playground scripts as of January 2020. [Unity Asset Store]
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