Students
COMP3180 – Virtual Reality and Advanced Game Development
2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Malcolm Ryan
Mitchell McEwan
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
COMP2150 and COMP2160
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit covers advanced game development topics, with a focus on design and development for virtual reality (VR) platforms. Topics include: extended reality (XR - consisting of virtual, augmented and mixed reality) platforms, natural control interfaces, games user research, procedural generation, artificial intelligence, network programming and tools development. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Demonstrate knowledge of advanced game design and development topics.
- ULO2: Apply software engineering techniques to collaboratively develop complex game architectures for emerging platforms.
- ULO3: Independently research and critically analyse game development techniques for emerging platforms.
- ULO4: Practice user-centred design to evaluate and optimise game development approaches.
- ULO5: Effectively communicate complex ideas across a range of media.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
From 1 July 2022, Students enrolled in Session based units with written assessments will have the following late penalty applied. Please see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/assessments for more information.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of '0' will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted
In this unit, late submissions will be accepted as follows:
- Practical Participation - NO, unless Special Consideration is granted
- Research Report - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
- Project Proposal Presentation - NO, unless Special Consideration is granted
- Final Project - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Participation | 10% | No | Weeks 1-13 |
| Research Report | 25% | No | Week 5 |
| Project Proposal Presentation | 15% | No | Weeks 6-7 |
| Final Project | 50% | No | Week 13 |
Practical Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weeks 1-13
Weighting: 10%
Participation in the scheduled weekly practical activities.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of advanced game design and development topics.
- Apply software engineering techniques to collaboratively develop complex game architectures for emerging platforms.
- Practice user-centred design to evaluate and optimise game development approaches.
- Effectively communicate complex ideas across a range of media.
Research Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 25%
A literature review or technical report on an advanced game development topic, evaluating its applicability to XR platforms and identifying relevant recommendations for game design and development processes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of advanced game design and development topics.
- Independently research and critically analyse game development techniques for emerging platforms.
- Practice user-centred design to evaluate and optimise game development approaches.
- Effectively communicate complex ideas across a range of media.
Project Proposal Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weeks 6-7
Weighting: 15%
A presentation to the class detailing the findings of your research and a related collaborative game development proposal.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of advanced game design and development topics.
- Independently research and critically analyse game development techniques for emerging platforms.
- Effectively communicate complex ideas across a range of media.
Final Project
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%
A collaborative game development project demonstrating advanced techniques in one of the chosen topic areas for an extended reality (XR) platform. An included report will detail the aims of the project, results from relevant playtesting/evaluation and its contribution to advancing game design and development approaches.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of advanced game design and development topics.
- Apply software engineering techniques to collaboratively develop complex game architectures for emerging platforms.
- Practice user-centred design to evaluate and optimise game development approaches.
- Effectively communicate complex ideas across a range of media.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Classes
This primary scheduled learning activities are practical classes, which focus on studio-based project research and development, guided by a tutor. Students will have the option to complete this work individually or in small groups. All practical classes are on campus.
Occassional full-class online Q&A/lecture learning activities will also be scheduled as required. Some lectures and additional learning activities may also be provided online via iLearn and Echo 360.
Required and Recommended Texts
There is no prescribed text for this unit.
Unit Website
Please login to iLearn at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
Technologies Used and Required
The technologies used will depend on the needs of your chosen/assigned advanced game development topic area. You will have access to the games lab computers and the software on them, which will feature the Unity game development engine and other creative tools. See iLearn for the version of Unity used on the lab computers. Extra required software may be added to these computers if a good case can be made for it. You will also have access to necessary hardware in the games lab, such as VR equipment and controllers.
Although dependent on the needs and scope of your chosen/assigned advanced game development topic area, there will likely be a need for the use of personal computing devices and software to support development (for example, when the lab is not open/available). Sourcing and compatibility with the provided lab resources will be students' responsibility.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Content |
|---|---|
|
W1 |
-Unit Introduction and Advanced Game Development Topics |
|
W2 |
-Advanced Game Development Topic R&D |
|
W3 |
-Advanced Game Development Topic R&D |
|
W4 |
-Advanced Game Development Topic R&D |
|
W5 |
-Advanced Game Development Topic R&D and Report Finalisation |
|
W6 |
-Project Proposal Presentations 1 |
|
W7 |
-Project Proposal Presentations 2 |
|
W8 |
-Advanced Game Development Implementation |
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W9 |
-Advanced Game Development Implementation |
|
W10 |
-Advanced Game Development Implementation |
|
W11 |
-Advanced Game Development Implementation |
|
W12 |
-Advanced Game Development Implementation |
|
W13 |
-Advanced Game Development Project Finalisation |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
This is the first offering of the unit.
Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook