Escape Game
Assignment Overview
In this project, you are tasked with creating a game based on the theme of "Escape." The concept of escape can be interpreted in various ways, such as physically escaping from danger, breaking free from constraints, or even escaping into a different reality. This project will allow you to explore creative storytelling, game mechanics, and audience engagement.
Your game should stand out in both visuals and gameplay, compelling your audience to engage with your work. You will research, design, develop, and present a vertical slice of your game. This project will help you develop skills in project planning, teamwork, creative problem-solving, and critical evaluation—all essential for a career in the games industry.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, learners will be able to.
Understand the Audience for a Creative Media Production:
Identify and analyze the characteristics of your target audience.
Use your research to shape your game’s design and mechanics.
Plan and Implement a Creative Media Production for an Audience:
Make independent decisions in planning and developing your game.
Select and use appropriate media and processes to communicate your ideas.
Evaluate Creative Media Production for an Audience:
Critically evaluate how well your game meets the needs of your target audience.
Reflect on your learning and set SMART targets for future projects.
Unit Criteria
Unit 09: Characteristics & Contexts In Media & Communication
LO1: Understand the characteristics and context for a chosen media and communication activity.
1.1 - Analyse the characteristics and context for a chosen media and communication activity.
1.2 - Interpret research activity to develop ideas for creative production.
LO2: Be able to use knowledge of the characteristics and context of a media and communication activity. 2.1 - Use knowledge of characteristics and context to plan and develop creative solutions for a chosen media and communication activity.
2.2 - Apply practical skills, knowledge and understanding of characteristics and contexts to produce creative solutions for a chosen media and communication activity.
LO3: Be able to use evaluation in support of creative media production.
3.1 - Critically evaluate creative solutions against identified characteristics and context for a chosen media and communication activity.
3.2 - Critically reflect on learning to inform personal development.
Task One: Planning & Pitching Your Game
Begin by mind mapping ideas and spending time researching into different types of games that fit into the theme of ‘Escape’. Once you have an initial idea you will need to spend time developing both your idea and your planning documentation ensuring they meet the needs of your intended target audience.
Unit Criteria: LO1 (1.1, 1.2) & LO2 (2.1)
Task One Breakdown:
Choose Your Concept:
Mind map ideas around the theme of "Escape."
Identify your target audience and analyse their characteristics.
Research and Develop Ideas:
Conduct research on games with similar themes.
Document your research findings, focusing on how they will inform your game design.
Pitch Your Game:
Prepare sketches, mood boards, and a project plan.
Present your ideas to your tutor and classmates, incorporating feedback to refine your concept.
Task Two: Pre-Production & Design
Move onto to developing your idea and working on your initial concepts and thinking about how you can create a short ‘vertical slice’ that fits the intended theme.
Unit Criteria: LO2 (2.1, 2.2)
Task Two Breakdown:
Develop Your Game Design:
Create detailed wireframes and concept art.
Finalize your game’s mechanics, narrative, and aesthetic.
Production Plan:
Draft a production plan with clear milestones and task assignments.
Ensure your design can be completed within the given timeframe.
Mock-Ups:
Produce mock-ups or stills to demonstrate your game’s style.
Present these to your tutor for approval before moving to production.
ask Three: Game Development
Develop your game idea, working towards completing a ‘vertical slice’ that shows of the main premises of your game.
Unit Criteria: LO2 (2.2) & LO3 (3.1).
Task Three Breakdown:
Develop Your Vertical Slice:
Begin the development process, focusing on creating a functional vertical slice (3-10 minutes of gameplay).
Use feedback from peers and tutors to refine your game.
Regular Updates:
Provide regular updates on your progress, documenting challenges and solutions.
Testing:
Conduct playtesting sessions to gather feedback.
Make necessary adjustments to improve gameplay and user experience.
Task Four: Presentation Of Final Game
Develop a trailer that showcases your game to the best of its abilities. Your presentation should be engaging and reflect your personal style and capabilities.
Unit Criteria: LO3 (3.1, 3.2)
Task Four Breakdown:
Prepare Your Presentation:
Create a presentation that showcases your game’s development, including screenshots, renders, and gameplay footage.
Present Your Work:
Present your final game to the class, discussing how you addressed the theme of "Escape" and engaged your audience.
Reflect on your creative process and the decisions that shaped your project.
Task Five: Evaluation & SMART Targets
Upload all your work onto your website, ensuring it is professional and easy to navigate. Submit the link to your website along with your final evaluation.
Unit Criteria: LO3 (3.1)
Task Five Breakdown:
Evaluate Your Project:
Write a detailed evaluation of your game, focusing on how well it meets the needs of your target audience.
Reflect and Set SMART Targets:
Reflect on your learning experience and identify areas for improvement.
Set two SMART targets (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) for future projects.