PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 2 Arts & Performing Arts ASSIGNMENT NO 3 Weeks 20 - 27
HCI Prototype Tutor Amy Miedzwiecki Learner Name
Issue Date: 01/05/15 Full assignment Due End of Session: 27/04/16 This assignment covers Grading Criteria from the following unit: Unit 79 - Human Computer Interfaces for Computer Games Learning Outcome 3 - Be able to prototype interfaces for games using human computer interface techniques Learning Outcome 4 - Be able to evaluate own human-computer interface production work AIM/PURPOSE This assignment aims to develop your understanding of the practical development and application of HCI in computer games. You will take what you have learned from the first assignment about the different areas of HCI and apply your understanding from theory to practice. PROLOGUE HCI is an important element for the success of a game, and are an essential part of the game design process. It is vital that interfaces and game environments are designed so that users are able to be completely focused on the game play. You will identify an environment or area within your game Primate Planet to apply effective HCI designs that meet the client’s requirements. THE ASSIGNMENT You will take on the role of a HCI designer, where your responsibility will be to consider the HCI design process of the game whilst it is still in development, analysing the player needs and in turn the game requirements. This will involve exploring options for interfaces, menus, loading screens etc, or whatever you feel is appropriate for navigation and in game activities. The assignment requires you to identify an area of Primate Planet where you can focus your HCI design, so that it is effectively managed whilst the game is in development, enhancing the player’s experience. You will justify, plan and design the appropriate HCI within the game, meeting the client’s needs and brief.
PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 2 Arts & Performing Arts
HCI Prototype - Task List Task 1 - PLANNING AND DESIGNING (3.1) (M2, M3, D1, D2) You will need to evidence that you have researched, investigated and considered the game, documenting how you will integrate effective HCI. You will need to explain how you intend it to function and how it will connect with the rest of game. You must explore the following areas: • Idea generation and justification of designs • Influence of your ideas e.g inspiration from other games, designs and target audience. • The platform it will be played on • The visual style of the game • The audio style of the game (you can link this with the Soundscape assignment) • The core game mechanics needed • Input devices/control system to play the game • Any different game modes/levels/difficulty settings that you might use • Game resources/assets • Player actions required • Game feedback required You will need to explain what your designs will look like and how they will work. You will need to: • Produce layout diagrams/flow charts of where the your designs will be within the game, showing clearly how the player navigates through your game area. • There must be clear connections between different interfaces and sign posting to any all or any additional navigation options • Make 2 mock up designs and/or sketches of your HCI designs, asking for peer feedback for which is most suitable for the game Task 2 - PRODUCTION (3.1) (M2, M3, D1, D2) You will need to: • Create and finalise your HCI designs and document your process and progress via a reflective log, documenting any peer feedback • Import HCI into the game engine, placing correctly and effectively • Synchronise HCI to the visuals and sounds • Designs need to load and play smoothly when triggered and used within the engine. Evidence for Assessment: Task 1 - All research, planning, justification and design ideas for HCI Task 2 - All development and creation for HCI designs, including production process and how they are implemented into the game engine. Ways you can submit work/evidence: Audio commentary of ideas, progress and development work, written document, sketches, diagrams, presentation, screenshots, DropBox, Voice recordings/video blogs,video recording of game level to show HCI working, game engine files that can be opened easily
PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 2 Arts & Performing Arts
HCI Prototype - Task List Task 2 - TESTING AND EVALUATION OF HCI and UI (4.1) (M2, M3, D1, D2) TESTING You will need to explore the effectiveness of your designs and test your HCI when it is within the level. You will need to: • Look for potential breaks in player functions and the user experience so that your game area runs smoothly before you present it for testing and peer feedback • Develop methods for collecting audience feedback e.g via questionnaires or online surveys and how you will present your work for audience testing • Collect the results of peer feedback, explaining results and implementing any changes that will improve HCI design or interactions. EVALUATION You will need to complete a project evaluation for your final HCI and UI designs. You will need to reflect on: • • • • • • •
Production skills Technical competence Time management and workflow Technical and aesthetic quality of your designs Technical and aesthetic quality of how your designs function Take into account opinions and suggestions of audience players and peer feedback Effectiveness of changes made based on feedback
Evidence for Assessment: Task 3 - Evidence of preparation and testing of HCI with collated audience feedback, analysis of results, changes made and evaluation of HCI project Ways you can submit work/evidence: Audio commentary of progress and work, written document, presentation, DropBox, Voice recordings/Video blogs, questionnaires, online surveys, graphs, screen shots, video recording of game level to show HCI working, game engine files that can be opened easily etc
PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 2 Arts & Performing Arts
HCI Prototype - Achieving Merit Grades
For Merit grades you would implement a range of HCI designs within your game so that they integrate within the game area and function correctly and effectively. In order to achieve M2 you will need to document that a range of sources of information and inspiration have been researched as part of the development of the HCI which have been applied to your own development and production. Your HCI design decisions will have been justified throughout the HCI prototype and development with your processes documented. An appropriate record of learning methods/ techniques will be kept to show how they have been applied throughout the HCI development. The assignment needs to be handed in on time with demonstration of effective time management via a assignment planner/work journal to evidence your approach. You need to be aiming to work independently and work as part of a group to meet the brief to a client acceptable standard in a timely manner for the deadline. In order to achieve M3 you will have used an appropriate approach to construct your HCI within the game. There will be a coherent logical development of HCI production methods that is clearly evidenced and presented that is appropriate for the intended audience of the game. You will use a range of methods of presentation to document your project with appropriate combination of text, images, audio, video etc with technical language accurately used throughout. Your communication of your ideas and work will be clear with both familiar and unfamiliar contexts applied at different stages throughout the production process e.g you will have researched technical tutorials independently as well as materials covered in class and showed creativity when designing. The client will be able to easily view and hear your HCI designs within the level.
PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 2 Arts & Performing Arts
HCI Prototype - Achieving Distinction Grades
For a Distinction grade you would implement and integrate a range of HCI designs within the game. These need to function smoothly with all elements working e.g ammo bar decreasing when shooting so that approach a near professional standard. In order to achieve D1 you must show that you have justified and changed your ideas accordingly via your reflective log throughout the HCI and UI production process right through to the audience testing and final evaluation. Your reflective log needs to show self-criticism when developing your HCI prototype through the planning, reflective log and evaluation process. Realistic improvements will need to have been implemented against the HCI and UI based on audience feedback and ongoing self evaluation. All HCI produced must be functioning smoothly and correctly within the game area working towards industry standard. In order to achieve D2 you need to have shown autonomy/independence to complete your HCI content to a high standard and hand in on time. You need to have shown that your investigations have been planned, managed and organised within the HCI prototype production process itself. You will have managed your activities in and out of lessons throughout the production process, tackling unforeseen circumstances as they arise. You will have recognised the importance of being independent to achieve and implement your HCI and UI.
PEARSON
Hopwood Hall College Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games) Arts and Performing Arts
Unit 79 - Human Computer Interfaces Criteria Reference
Learner
To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to:
Achieved? (tick)
LO 3 3.1
Generate interface prototypes using human-computer interface techniques, working to a standard acceptable to an employer or client
LO 4 4.1
Critically evaluate own finished product against agreed criteria and make recommendations for improvements
4.2
Critically evaluate own production skills against agreed criteria and make recommendations for improvements Higher Grade Achievements (where applicable)
Grade Descriptor
Achieved? (Tick)
Grade Descriptor
M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques
D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions
M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings
D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities
Achieved? (Tick)
PEARSON In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT grades
Grade Descriptor
Indicative Characteristics
Contextualisation
M2 Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniques
A range of sources of information has been used and/or appropriate learning methods/techniques have been applied
To achieve M2 you will have used: The design, sources, methods and techniques of the HCI have been justified with complex information/data synthesised and processed throughout the production process. A range of sources of information have been researched, applied within the research and practical requirments for the HCI designs.
M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings
An appropriate structure and approach has been used (in the presentation and communication of your findings).
To achieve M3 You will have: An appropriate approach has been used in the development work supporting your HCI development. Alll stages from planning, recording, creating, applying and evaluation must communicate your actions, findings and reflections. All HCI files will need to be organised, labelled and tidy along with your game section with the prototype within it. All files must be presented clearly so that an employer can access and view them.
PEARSON In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following DISTINCTION grades
Grade Descriptor
Indicative Characteristics
Contextualisation
D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions
Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified
To achieve D1 you will: Fully evidence how your research supports and evidences your points with extensive examples from different sources. You need to ensure that you understand each factor that influences a games developer in their work process, the impact on the game, the player and how you will use this as guidance with developing your own HCI designs.
D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities
Autonomy/independence demonstrated
To achieve D2 you will have: Demonstrated independent learning with substantial activities having been completed with limited guidance. This will be evidenced through a bibliography, references, detailed assignment planners and/or work journals and technical tutorials. All project work will show a good understanding of technical and creative needs for the design and production of sound.
PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 2 Arts and Performing Arts ACHIEVEMENT SUMMARY Unit 79 - Human Computer Interfaces for Computer Games Formative Feedback
Action Plan
Summative Feedback
Feedback: Student to Assessor
Learner Signature & Date Assessor Signature & Date