Undergraduate MUR-ICT288-2023

Virtual Realities and Games Software Design

Duration

13 weeks

Study method

100% Online

Available loans

HECS-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Required

This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.

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2023

Subject details

What you'll learn

On successful completion of this subject, you should be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the formal definition of virtual realities and game
Demonstrate an understanding of the essential elements of virtual realities and game
Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of challenges and actions, as well as the formal definition of gameplay
Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of symmetry and asymmetry, fairness, and competition and cooperation
Learn the various benefits that computers bring to virtual realities and games
Become familiar with the ways in which virtual realities, computer and video games entertain people
Demonstrate an understanding of the player-centric approach to games design
Demonstrate an understanding of the core mechanics and the user interface work together to create gameplay
Design and explain how gameplay modes and shell menus make up the structure of a game
Recognise the three stages of game design and describe the design work in each stage
Demonstrate an understanding of the types of jobs/tasks required/needed in a design team
Demonstrate an understanding of the types of documents that a game designer is likely to need and what they are for
Demonstrate an understanding of the qualities required of a good game designer
Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of software, virtual realities and games
Practise collaborative work. Where possible, acquired a basic appreciation of what is involved in group work. This is especially important for students who will be graduating and work in the software and games industry. More importantly, collaborative work is a fundamental requirement when it comes to getting a job at the end of your degree

Topics covered

- Introduction to Games and Game Software Design
- Game Concepts and Game Worlds
- Character Development
- Storytelling and Narrative
- User Experience
- Gameplay
- Core Mechanics
- Game Balancing
- Software Engineering and Game Development
- Virtual Realities

Entry requirements

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

MUR-ICT101-Introduction to 3D Graphics and Animation

and

MUR-ICT159-Foundations of Programming

Others

This subject is CSP only and cannot be taken as open access. The correct CSP fee will be displayed once you begin the enrolment process.

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Description

This unit aims to give students a general background of virtual realities (augmented, mixed and virtual) and game software design to create something fun and entertaining. It addresses elements and issues of design concepts, creation and plays in computer, video and VR games. Topics include character design, creative play, core mechanics, design documentation, design process environment, game-balancing, player motivation, user interfaces, and virtual realities. This unit does not treat virtual realities and game software design as purely art or engineering.

Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.

Assessments

The assignments require you to produce a prototype 1-level game with suitable game assets, gameplay, and game mechanics; a game design document; a game development document; a complete 3-level game with suitable game assets, game mechanics, storyline, gameplay, UI, scoring mechanism; and a short game promotional video.

Major Assignment - Part 1 (20%)
Major Assignment - Part 2 (30%)
Lab Assignment (5%)
Open book timed online exam (45%)

Textbooks

For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).

Related degrees

Undergraduate MUR-BIT-DEG-2023

Bachelor of Information Technology BIT in Games Design and Development