Units
Introduction to Games Production
Unit code: INN181
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This subject will provide you with knowledge and skills in games production. By gaining an overview of the production process, you will learn how the technology and the people involved integrate into a coherent and efficient manufacturing process. By the end of this subject you will have the knowledge to conceive, create, integrate and optimise tools and personnel into a complete games production system.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Modern games production is a complex process that may involve teams in the order of a hundred people or more, working with budgets in the tens of millions. It has become a highly optimised process akin to making major Hollywood movies. The games produced in such environments are in constant demand by a fast growing digital entertainment culture. Therefore it is important that students gain an overview of the whole production process and have the opportunity to acquire appropriate skills and knowledge involving the function of large teams and complex software tools in relation to games production.
Aims
This subject will provide you with knowledge and skills in games production. By gaining an overview of the production process, you will learn how the technology and the people involved integrate into a coherent and efficient manufacturing process. By the end of this subject you will have the knowledge to conceive, create, integrate and optimise tools and personnel into a complete games production system. This unit does not involve the actual production of games; rather it is focused on building an understanding of the production process and the associated tools and personnel.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit you should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of game production as a discipline and manufacturing process and show understanding of a range of key game production components such as conception and design, art and audio assets, engine software and tools, asset management and workflow, project management and financial issues, and games marketing and publication (GC1);
- Apply critical and creative thinking to identify issues and suggest improvements to game production practices (GC2);
- Communicate understandings of production processes, key issues and optimisation options in a professional manner both orally and in writing (GC3);
- Demonstrate sense about aspects of games production and manage and prioritise your learning activities to achieve satisfaction in your areas of interest (GC4);
- Show understandings of the issues involved in managing game production team members in their designated roles (GC5);
- Show awareness of the key issues related to ethical professional behaviour within the games production process (GC6).
Key Graduate Capabilities:
GC1- Knowledge and Skills
GC2- Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3- Communication
GC4- Lifelong Learning
GC5- Independence and Collaboration
GC6- Social and Ethical Responsibility
Content
You will study the following topics:
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Weekly contact consists of 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of workshop work. The lectures discuss the unit content, and where appropriate, examples will be worked out and demonstrations performed. The first hour of the lecture period will present background theory. For the second hour of the lecture period, a guest lecturer from the Game Industry will present their career experiences. The workshops will consist of exercises based on the lecture material and are designed to reinforce your understanding of the content. Practical work (assignments) is a major part of the unit. This learning process is intended to address objectives 1 through 6 in both lectures/workshops and assignments.
Concurrent Teaching
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same subject. University policy permits postgraduate and undergraduate students to attend the same lectures. As a postgraduate student you will be required to complete separate assessment tasks that reflect the advanced knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Assessment
Criterion-Referenced Assessment
Appropriate assessment criteria will be made available at the introduction of each assignment.Feedback is provided on a weekly basis via the workshops.
The assignments are undertaken on an individual basis and, when returned, will contain written comments indicating improvements which could have been included.
Your final examination paper may be viewed by you (under supervision) after the examination results have been released. You may then seek an interview with the unit coordinator if you have any questions regarding the result.
Demonstrators and the unit coordinator will be available in person at specified times or via email to answer your questions.
Assessment name:
Case Study (Part 1)
Description:
Game Company Case Study.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4 and 6
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 7
Assessment name:
Case Study (Part 2)
Description:
Game Company Case Study.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Week 13
Assessment name:
Examination (written)
Description:
Final Examination.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Required Textbook(s):
There is no required textbook for this unit.
Risk assessment statement
There is minimal health and safety risk in this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas and laboratories.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 07-Jun-2012
