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Course Outline

SGD305 Game Studio: Polish and Publish

Course Coordinator:Alexander Muscat (amuscat@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course requires you to synthesise and apply knowledge relevant to game design and production in an applied, self-directed project. You will work in small teams to design and produce a functional game, leveraging game design theory and appropriate design principles and tools. The project will be negotiated with the course coordinator.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 2hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction – From vertical slice to polished and published
  • agile production planning
  • Sprint 1 (sprint goals, feature forecast)
  • Development session 1
  • Sprint 2 (sprint 1 burndown, goals, planning, feature lock)
  • Development session 2
  • Sprint 3 (sprint 2 burndown, goals, planning, managing feature creep)
  • Development session 3
  • Sprint 4 (sprint 3 burndown, quality assurance, and final polish)
  • Release and review

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 To demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of the key issues of the games industry applicable to your game design. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
2 Clearly and effectively communicate design ideas, solutions and concepts at multiple levels, for example with clients, supervisor and team members. Empowered
Engaged
3 Apply advanced Problem solving, analytical and research skills to your practical work. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
4 Be responsible and accountable for your own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others in a game production setting. Ethical
Engaged

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

You need to demonstrate exemplary skills in at least one of the game development disciplines: game art, game programming, interactive narrative, game design, game production, or game audio production. It is also recommended that you demonstrate some skill in a secondary game development discipline or a related discipline (e.g. the business of making games). This is a capstone project course. As such, it is recommended that you undertake this course in your final year of study.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Regular feedback will be given to students as part of task 1 where groups of students will meet fortnightly with their tutor to discuss the progress of their project. Meetings will begin in week 2.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Plan Individual 20% 
20 minutes per fortnight plus 200 word journal submission
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Submission
All 2 Report Group 30% 
3000 words
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Artefact - Creative Individual and Group 50% 
15 minute presentation - including artefact demonstration
 Refer to Format To be Negotiated
All - Assessment Task 1:Fortnightly consultations with tutor or client and online blog
Goal: 
To ensure that the individual team members and project teams are on track.
Product: Plan
Format: 
Professional/Industry Format 

You are required to meet with your tutor on a fortnightly basis to discuss the progress of your game documentation and game. You will be required to submit a journal entry documenting your contribution to the game (including working on the game and keeping documentation up to date) and your intended contribution for the coming fortnight.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate an organised and ongoing individual contribution to the project.
 2 3
2 
Collaborate and contribute to team planning and development goals
 1 3
3 
Participate and communicate effectively in team meetings and discussions
 2 4
All - Assessment Task 2:Game Development Journal
Goal: 
Your team will use an industry-based production methodology (agile)  to plan, track and document the develop your game. In this assessment, your team must demonstrate an organised and appropriate approach to game production.
Product: Report
Format: 
Professional/Industry format 

Students will maintain and apply appropriate project management strategies and demonstrate this in appropriate production software and through an online development journal/blog.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
​Demonstrate understandings of how to evaluate a game.
 2
2 
Develop feasible plans to distribute and market their game.
 2
3 
Communicate their ideas to launch and market their game.
 2 4
4 
Demonstrate an organised and ongoing individual contribution to the project.​
 1 4
All - Assessment Task 3:Major Game Development
Goal: 
Create a complete playable game, while integrating project management concepts into the self directed project process. Present your game to an expert panel and a lay audience.
Product: Artefact - Creative
Format: 
Submit: Week 13 

Professional/Industry format 

The emphasis on this task is on developing a playable game, while working in a small team. Your team will work on a series of documents (electronic) to assure a high quality outcome. As a team you develop the game while consulting with your tutor, supervisor or client. You and your team are required to develop a digital game. You and your team are also required to demonstrate your game and communicate how it meets your design goals.

You are also required to outline the individual contributions of you and your team members to the project.

Group Task Component - Final video game and presentation (20% of this tasks marks):
Your group will submit and present a playable video game, which demonstrates that the core mechanic of the game will contribute to the player experience design goals described in the game design brief.

Group Task Component - Game Design Summary (5% of total course marks):
Your group will submit a game design summary, which reflects on the production of the game, the player experience design goals that the game aim to achieve..

Individual Task Contribution Criteria (25%)
Each team members individual contribution will be assessed under a specific criteria worth 25% of the total mark. This mark is based on each individuals contribution to the games design and presentation, role in the production and the contribution in the form of individual tasks.

Across all our Creative Industries undergraduate programs, we are collecting data for assurance of learning purposes. This task is being used for measurement. The following program competency will be assessed: Entrepreneurial and innovative thinking and collaboration.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Develop a high quality game (including in terms of playability and usability)
 1 3
2 
Give a professional presentation
 2 4
3 
Demonstrate an innovative and creative solution to a real world problem.
 1
4 
Demonstrate an organised and ongoing individual contribution to the project.​
 4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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