Module: CCO5101-20 - Games Studio

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Coral Manton

Module Tutor Contact Details: c.manton@bathspa.ac.uk

Please note that in order to take this module you must have studied CCO5100-20 Games Development.

Please also note that this module is a pre-requisite for the Level 6 module CCO6004-20 Commercial Games.

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Games Studio builds on the skills introduced in Games Development whilst paying particular attention to creative partnership. The aim of the module is to help you develop strategies for collaborative game making, where outputs take the form of small-scale original games with sound events.

You begin Games Studio by participating in an ideation session with peers to generate concepts for experimental games. Teams are then formed, and a game developer role is assigned to each team member. Your team is then tasked to expand the concept into a manual prototype with indicative artwork and audio assets. This is pitched to your peers and tutors, who provide critique and suggestions for advancing the idea. Your team then incorporates this feedback to create a games design document that requires sign off by an assessor before proceeding to the development stage. From this point the classroom adopts the model of a games studio, complete with the tools and space required for your team to actualise and test your game concept.

2. Outline syllabus:

Topics covered in Games Studio include:

• An introduction to experimental games

• How to work successfully with collaborators to make games

• Sound design principals and practices (led by Creative Music Technology)

• Interactive sound concepts and considerations (led by Creative Music Technology)

• Pitching game ideas the right way

• The games design document

• Setting game development milestones

• Staying on point (how to manage opportunities and limitations)

• Documenting games made in partnership

• Playtesting and user experience

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Class Hours

Seminars discuss creative topics such as sound design and implementation for games and devising experimental game concepts. These sessions also offer key advice on how to pitch, manage and document collaborative projects. Beyond this, class hours are peer-led (with tutor support) and dedicated to the development of games in partnership.

Independent Learning

Successful projects within Games Studio require teams to work together outside of class hours. We recommend that you keep regular and objective-driven meetings with your collaborators, and use a web-based project management tool (e.g. Trello) to track the development of your game.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Games Design Document (1500 words plus assets).

• % Weighting: 30%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Completed Game. Includes participation in a group showcase of work.

• % Weighting: 70%