Computer Games
MMC130
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Level of study: What does Undergraduate Level 1 mean?
Undergraduate Level 1
EFTSL: What does EFTSL mean?
0.125
Delivery Method: What does delivery method mean?
Fully Online
Prerequisites: What are the prerequisites?
Availability: What is a Study period?
For enrolment (2012): For forward planning* (2013): What is Forward Planning?- SP1
- SP2
- SP3
- SP4
Duration:
13 weeks
Government loans available:
FEE-HELP FEE-HELP
Fee: Fees (current and planned)
- Domestic student fee:
- $795.00 (AUD)
- International student fee:
- $1,020.00 (AUD)
Description
In this introductory unit you play single and multi-player games across a range of genres and platforms, in order to analyse and communicate your experiences. In particular you learn about the aesthetic and narrative design of computer games, and their choices, challenges and goals (game mechanics). You also study the history of the computer game medium, and consider the variety of game genres that have evolved, thrived, failed, and been superseded by new and more innovative genres. In this unit you study the social context of games, how to position and market a successful game title, and most importantly, how to communicate your research and development to game scholars, producers and players. Ultimately you apply what you have learnt to the creation of your own original game proposal.
Prerequisites
You must have MS Word or other word processing software, and video games for PC, console, or mobile device. You must possess Year 12 level literacy skills.
Special Requirements
- Broadband access — The unit requires some large file downloads, such as videos and images.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students will be able to:
- identify and apply relevant work practices and methodology in the fulfilment of computer game pre-production and design tasks within a professional context
- understand the technical concepts and theories that underpin computer game technologies
- provide critical analysis of computer games in relation to design theory and social contexts
- participate in single and multi user computer game play across a range of genres and platforms
- apply design and game theory in solving computer game design problems
- research the genres and genus of computer games in determining their social and historical context.
Topics
This unit addresses the following topics.
| Number | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | CRITICAL GAME STUDIES: Playing Games, Writing About Games, The History of Games, Game Genre and Classification and the Study of Games. |
| 2 | THE CREATION OF GAMES: Visual and Audio Design, Interactive Storytelling, Creating Games. |
| 3 | THE GAMES INDUSTRY: The Business of Gaming and the Games Marketing. |
Study Resources
This unit is delivered using the following methods and materials:
Instructional Methods
- Discussion Forum/Discussion Board
- Interactive Games
- Online Quizzes/Tests
- Online assignment submission
- Web links
Online materials
- Audio/Video - Streaming
- FAQs
- Online Assessment
- Quizzes
- Resources and Links
Textbook information for this unit is currently being updated and will be available soon. Please check back regularly for updates. Alternatively, visit the Unibooks website and enter the unit details to search for available textbooks.
Relevant Courses
This unit is not currently a requirement for any courses, but may be eligible for credit.
- Many undergraduate courses on offer through OUA include 'open elective' where any OUA unit can be credited to the course. You need to check the Award Requirements on the course page for the number of allowed open electives and any level limitations.
- In other cases, the content of this unit might be relevant to a course on offer through OUA or elsewhere. In order to receive credit for this unit in the course you will need to supply the provider institution with a copy of the Unit Profile in the approved format, which you can download here. Note that the Unit Profile is set at the start of the year, and if textbooks change this may not match the Unibooks textbook list.
If you would like to study this unit and enrol today, add it to your Study Cart. Alternatively if you are still exploring your options, you can save this unit to review later by clicking Save to Wishlist.
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