Hopwood Hall College BTEC First Extended Certificate in Digital Media Production (Games Development) Arts & Performing Arts ASSIGNMENT NO. 3 Weeks 12 - 15
Game Platforms & Audiences Tutor Alex Dobson Learner Name Issue Date 23/11/2015 Summative Assessment 15/12/2015 This assignment covers Grading Criteria from the following units: Unit 7 Digital Games Production A.1 Exploring Platforms A.2 Defining Audiences Learning Aims: A: Know 2D and 3D digital games platforms and audiences AIM & PURPOSE In this unit you will find out about the production process of making a 2D an idea, without anyone to make it, has little value. The games industry is about expert teams of people who can deliver an idea, so you will find out how you take that initial idea and turn it into a valuable product. THE ASSIGNMENT & SCENARIO As a game developer you are required to keep up top date with current technologies and market trends. This is incredibly important as it enables you the designer to anticipate if your game idea will be potentially successful or not. Recently there has been a surge in popularity for retro styled games and remakes of classic games. You are to prepare a proposal for a simple easy to control 2D game based on the game mechanics from a 2D arcade classic. The classic games you can choose the mechanics and influences from are Pacman, Space Invaders and Breakout. To determine if your game proposal is viable you will research and explore a variety of different gaming platforms to help you find out what platform or platforms your game concept would be best suited to, with the current resources you have available. You must also show an understanding of your target audience and other potential audiences therefore you will need research a range of different audiences so you can define your chosen target group(s). You will also highlight how you can adapt your game to allow different audiences to play your game. Finally you will present your findings in a format of your own choosing.
Hopwood Hall College BTEC First Extended Certificate in Digital Media Production (Games Development) Arts & Performing Arts
Game Platforms & Audiences Learning Aim A: Know 2D and 3D digital games platforms and audiences You are an up and coming indie developer and are to carefully prepare a proposal for a 2D retro game based on the game mechanics of Break-Out, Pacman or Space Invaders. A.1 - Exploring Platforms (2A.P1 2A.M1 2A.D1) You need to thoroughly compare the constraints and opportunities of different gaming platforms across a variety of consoles, handhelds, PC, mobile & tablets and must determine the pros and cons for each platform. To do this you must prepare a report or presentation that includes the following: - Research a variety of potential gaming platforms that a retro 2D game can be played on - Explain and analyse each gaming platforms specification, benefits and constraints (pros & cons) in detail with appropriate reference images and tables highlighting the key differences - What system requirements your game will need to run - Research appropriate game play modes for retro games - What gameplay modes would you include in your game explain your choices in detail - You will compare your chosen platforms and decide which gaming platform(s) best suits your game type highlighting your evidence and giving reasons for your choices. Platforms Include: PC’s, Consoles, Mobile, Tablet, Handheld Devices Specifications Include: Screen Resolution, FPS, RAM, CPU, GFX Card Gameplay Modes Include: CTF, Deathmatch, turn-based, single player, LAN A.2 - Defining audiences (2A.P2 2A.M2 2A.D2) It is important to understand that there are a wide variety of very different audiences that play video games. These audiences have distinct needs that should be addressed at the outset when designing a game. You will create an audience profile using visual comparisons, tables and charts based on research tasks as listed below in a format of your own choosing: - Research Casual gamer, Mid-core gamer, Hardcore gamer, Social niche and more - Link audiences to their preferred gaming platforms and game types - What audience(s) your game is likely to most attract Create a report and audience profile for your chosen game using the topics below: Demographics: age, gender, disability, sexuality, location Specialist interest: hobbyist, military, simulation, management Social differentiation: mental and physical difficulties, values, appearance
Submission of Work All work is to be submitted digitally onto its learning you may include links to office 365 and dropbox accounts if video files are too large to upload to its learning. Work should be set out in order as listed above. Ways you can submit work/evidence: Digital Portfolio Digital/Traditional Presentations OneDrive Voice Recordings/Video blogs Written Reports
Hopwood Hall College BTEC First Extended Certificate in Digital Media Production (Games Development) Arts & Performing Arts Assessment Grading Criteria Unit 7 Digital Games Production
Learner Name
Learning Aim A Achieved? Explore types and styles of writing used in digital media 1A.1 Outline the differences between two platforms 2A.P1 Describe with relevant examples the differences between several platforms 2A.M1 Explain constraints and opportunities of different gaming platforms across a variety of consoles and handhelds 2A.D1 Compare the constraints and opportunities of different gaming platforms and their specifications across consoles, handhelds, PC, mobile and tablets
1A.2 Summarise a platform and audience with reference to gameplay and gamers 2A.P2 Describe platforms and audiences for digital games 2A.M2 Explain platforms and audiences for digital games 2B.D2 Evaluate platforms and audiences for digital games
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