i2gd-assspec

=Introduction to Computer Game Development=

Assessment for Session 2009-10
You have to do three separate tasks in order to pass this module:
 * 1) draft an outline game design document for the game you will develop (20% of final mark)
 * 2) create the game using either Scratch or Python/Pygame (60% of final mark)
 * 3) present the game to an external audience (20% of final mark)

The same marking regime applies to all three parts:

"The work presented is ...

A - of a standard that would be expected in a professional games development studio B1 - satisfies all the criteria requested B2 - satisfies all the criteria presented, but has some significant flaws C - is adequate but not of great quality D - requires significant rework in order to pass E - requires restarting from scratch F - shows no evidence of any work being done"

The work will be marked by your campus' lecturer, with a sample checked by the module co-ordinator (Dr John Sutherland) and the overall work checked again by the moderator (Dr Daniel Livingstone).

The Draft Design Document

 * This should be around 5 Internet pages
 * it should be electronic, on a personal website (see, for example, [|www.yola.com])
 * with banner id and game title page
 * game outline
 * main scenarios/levels
 * principal characters
 * outline of gameplay
 * possible target demographic (e.g. 12-14 year old females)
 * all copyright material included should be acknowledged (keep a list of URLs to help you do this)
 * __** hand in date: Thursday 12th November at 12pm **__
 * hand in is by emailing the URL of where you have stored your design to the module deliverer (Rebecca for Dumfries, Derek for Paisley)

There are examples of design documents towards the end of my game design resources page

The Game

 * this should contain at least one level and around 1 minute of gameplay
 * there should be some programmer-generated imagery for sprites, backgrounds and effects
 * there should be some use of sound effects and music
 * there should be clear player progress through the level(s)
 * it should be fun!
 * all copyright material used should be acknowledged
 * __** hand in date: Thursday 17th December at 12pm **__
 * hand in is by playable game on memory stick/CD-R to the module deliverer (Rebecca for Dumfries, Derek for Paisley) - it is your responsibility to ensure the game plays easily when downloaded from the memory stick. If in doubt, talk to the lecturer.

The Presentation

 * At one of the remaining studio/lab time in January you should present your game to the lecturer, or other people who are invited to play or view the games
 * vidcaps and screencaps from the game should be uploaded to your personal website (probably the same one as used to store the game design document)
 * __** this work must be complete by Monday 25th January at 5pm **__

Group Work
Where a team work together in creating either the design and/or the game the following marking will apply:


 * the piece will be marked
 * each team member will give an indication of their estimate of the percentage effort input from each team member, including themself
 * if the estimates are approximately equal, the same mark will be applied to each team memebr
 * if the estimates are significantly different then marks will be allocated after discussions with the team members and teaching staff. Any disparities in effort will be noticed by the tutor in the weekly team progress meetings.

Marking and Feedback
The lecturer will marks and give feedback within a fortnight of work being submitted. Of course, you can submit work early and so get earlier feedback. All marking is finalised at the examination board, although it is unlikely that the mark agreed by the lecture, deliverer and moderator will be changed by the final board.