Enrolments for 2020 have closed.
Virtual Realities and Games Software Design
Undergraduate | MUR-ICT288 | 2020
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Virtual Realities and Games Software Design
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you should be able to:
- know the formal definition of a game
- know the essential elements of a game
- understand the nature of challenges and actions, as well as the formal definition of gameplay
- become familiar with the concepts of symmetry and asymmetry, fairness, and competition and cooperation
- learn the various benefits that computers bring to games
- become familiar with the ways in which computer and video games entertain people
- understand the player-centric approach to games design
- know how the core mechanics and the user interface work together to create gameplay
- explain how gameplay modes and shell menus make up the structure of a game
- Recognize the three stages of game design and describe the design work in each stage
- know the types of jobs/tasks required/needed in a design team
- know the types of documents that a game designer is likely to need and what they are for
- know the qualities required of a good game designer
- understand the concept of software and games
- Collaborative work. Where possible, acquired a basic appreciation of what is involved in group work. This is especially important to students who will be graduating and work in the games industry. More importantly, collaborative work is a fundamental requirement when it comes to getting a job at the end of your degree.
- 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
This subject aims to give students a general background to game software design to create something fun and entertaining. It addresses issues in the computer and video game software design which includes elements of games creation, gameplay and game concepts. Topics include character design, creative play, design process, design documentation, environment, game-balancing, player motivation, and user interface design. This subject does not treat 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.
- Major Assignment - Part 1 (30%)
- Major Assignment - Part 2 (30%)
- Invigilated Exam (30%)
- LabAssignment (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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.
Learn more about Murdoch University.
Explore Murdoch courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 27
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 26
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.