Developing Computer Games
To be added

• Society - addiction, impact on social life, global play
• Employment and finance - positives from the games industry in the UK - jobs
• Health - RSI, obesity and fitness
• Psychological - gaming addiction, brain training and education

• Impact of games on society
• How are video games changing our world?
  
• Impact of games on children in the last 30 years
• Impact of video games on society
• How does gaming impact society?
• The harmful effects of video games
  
• Computer games and learning (large .pdf file)
• The economic contribution of the UK Games industry (large - potentially boring but useful .pdf)
• Games industry can help the UK economy bounce back
• UK games industry faces difficult challenges
• Video game controversies - health implications
• Violent images boost teenage aggression
• Playing video games increased obesity risk
• Chinese man dies after playing video games non-stop for 3 days
• Brain training can improve your child's grade in weeks
  

Expected:


A 10 page Word document that covers the four key areas mentioned above.
Develop your own views about the impact of gaming on society.

• Genres of games (e.g. role-playing, puzzle, platform, sports, first person shooters, MMORPG, puzzle games)
• Historical developments (e.g. graphics, online, interface)
• Increased popularity (e.g. demand, reduced costs of equipment)
• Platforms (e.g. handheld, mobile, internet gaming).
  

• History of video games
  
• Retro Gamer magazines
  
• 1001 Video Games You Must Play....
  
• History of Computer and Video games
• History of gaming
  

Expected:


Extensive (20+ pages) Word document - but with any additional elements as required, for instance a PowerPoint or other online timeline. Make sure you cover the Distinction requirements as shown above - genres, timeline & platform comparison.

Task:
For this LO you will learn how to design a computer game using relevant design techniques e.g. storyboarding, Mind Maps and Narratives. You should think about the interface and the platform it will run on. You should also consider the purpose and the genre of the game and then create outline ideas for your design based on an identified specification.

As a group you could review existing games along the same criteria to identify what you think the audience and purpose of the games are. You will be taught about the packages that are available to create computer games e.g. (AS3, C+, HTML5, IOS, Java, GameMaker, Scratch, Kodu, Construct2).

Expected:
20+ Page Report using clear headings/Sub-Headings to detail the following points:

Your Design needs to include:

• Introduction - Explaining what you are trying to achieve,
• Aims/Purpose - What is your game going to do?
• Audience - Who is it aimed at? Age/Gender.
• House style - Details about the colours, fonts plus 'look and feel' Navigation system etc.
• Mind Map - Site map/plan showing outline of whole thing.
• Narrative - Explaining how your game flows/progresses and how users can move around the game.
• Storyboard - Mockup of what each section of your game will look like - including details of text, images, sound, video & animations etc.
• Flowchart - Show how users will work through levels in your game.
• Interfaces - Details of Menu's, buttons, puzzles, help etc.
• Details of the Software - Explain what software/language you will be using to create & code your game.
• Platforms - Which platforms will your game run?
• Possible expansions/repurposing - Will your game have add-ons to make more revenue.
• Bibliography - Listing each source, reliability, copyright and usefulness.

Your Development section needs to include:

 
• Introduction - Explaining what you are developing.
 
• Language - Details of the Programming language you will be using. (AS3, C+, HTML5, IOS, Java, GameMaker, Scratch, Kodu, Construct2).
 
• Annotated Screenshots - Showing/explaining how you are developing your game. Should include the following:
  • Code used – Screen prints or listings of your code.
  • Compiling of your code – Does you code need compiling?
  • User Interface elements - (e.g. options, menus, puzzles, help, facilities, triggers, collisions),
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques - (e.g. scripting, rul-based decisions, input processes).
 
• Completed Game Files.

Expected:
30+ Page Report using clear headings/Sub-Headings to detail the following points:

P5 - You will produce and use a test plan/table using multiple tests throughout the game, thoroughly testing the game that has been produced against the specification and then showing the debugging of your game.

M4 - For merit criterion you should gain feedback from users and suggest possible improvements to the game based on these suggestions. This could be evidenced in the form or a report summarising the feedback received and an explanation of the format chosen for feedback and why this was appropriate. You should also identify any improvements that have been suggested and why they may or may not be used.

D2 - For distinction criterion you should use the feedback gained in the Merit Criteria and the improvements they have identified to improve aspects of your computer game – this can be evidenced through screen captures showing the game prior to improvements and after giving detailed evidence of the improvements that are being made and including a justification why these changes were made.

Test Plan should include:

• Test types
• Iterative testing (Targeted population, decide on how users will be tested)
• Contents of test plan
• Logs
• Debugging
• Feedback from test users
• Apply feedback e.g. to improve or correct game

P6 & P7 - You should evidence these by producing of all the documentation required for the working game. The documentation needs to be clear and include graphics to illustrate areas that are being explained. You will need to produce a user guide for P6 and the technical documentation for P7.

P6 - User Documentation should cover:

• Game installation
• Game purpose
• Game operation
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

P7 – Technical Documentation should include:

• Data dictionary, algorithm design (including control methods)
• User interface method design (action charts/tables, input-output-process tables, class and instance diagrams and dataflow diagrams).