Students

COMP1150 – Introduction to Video Games

2022 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Mitchell McEwan
Contact via Email
4 Research Park Drive, Rm 367
By Appointment
Unit Convenor
Rowan Tulloch
Contact via Email
10HA 191C
By Appointment
Prac Tutor
Oliver Smith
Contact via Email
Prac Tutor
Cody Liu
Contact via Email
SGTA Tutor
Gemma Roberts
Contact via Email
SGTA Tutor
Kyla Allison
Contact via Email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
MMCC1011
Unit description Unit description

Video games provide the only real example of the promise of interactive entertainment held out by modern technologies. Video games provide a rapidly growing form of entertainment and are also used for educational and business purposes. This unit provides an introduction to the design and study of computer and console games. Topics covered include: the history of games; the cultural and aesthetic study of games; and the game development process. The assessment includes a project using a game development package.

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 disciplinary knowledge of video games studies theories and practices.
  • ULO2: communicate clearly and effectively a range of ideas in a variety of media forms.
  • ULO3: identify and analyse different disciplinary approaches to video game analysis.
  • ULO4: apply game design skills and methodologies to the production of basic video games.

General Assessment Information

Late Penalties

The policy in relation to late assessment submissions is as follows:

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments - e.g. quizzes, online tests, etc.

To be very clear:

  • Unless you have applied for special consideration and had your application approved, for each day your assignment is late, 10 marks will be deducted. For example, if you submit your assignment 7 days late, 70 marks will be deducted, which means you will fail that assignment.
  • If your assignment is more than 7 days late (including weekends), you will get 0 marks for your assignment.

These are serious penalties that will substantially alter your final grade and even determine whether you pass or fail this unit. Please make every effort to submit your assignment by the due date.

If you find you cannot submit your assignment on time, please apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Make sure you read Macquarie University's policy regarding Special Consideration requests before you apply: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Practical Exercises 6% No Ongoing Weeks 1-12
Active Tutorial Participation 10% No Ongoing Weeks 2-6
Major Essay 40% No 23:59 on 8/04/2022
Game Analysis 14% No 23:59 on 15/05/22
Game Design Task 30% No 23:59 on 5/06/22

Practical Exercises

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing Weeks 1-12
Weighting: 6%

 

Practical exercises using a video game engine. These exercises are designed to introduce students to the basics of game development. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply game design skills and methodologies to the production of basic video games.

Active Tutorial Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing Weeks 2-6
Weighting: 10%

 

A set of small tasks including student-led discussions and group activities that take place in the weekly tutorials (in-class activities). Refer to iLearn for further information.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of video games studies theories and practices.
  • communicate clearly and effectively a range of ideas in a variety of media forms.
  • identify and analyse different disciplinary approaches to video game analysis.

Major Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: 23:59 on 8/04/2022
Weighting: 40%

 

Students write an essay critically analysing a video game or game community of their choosing. It must build upon, critique and/or extend the argument of one or more of the unit readings. It must also use academic theory from beyond the unit to support the argument. Students must identify the key theoretical ideas and assumptions associated with their chosen reading and apply them to the chosen game/community. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of video games studies theories and practices.
  • communicate clearly and effectively a range of ideas in a variety of media forms.
  • identify and analyse different disciplinary approaches to video game analysis.

Game Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 23:59 on 15/05/22
Weighting: 14%

 

A short answer online task, analysing the design of a game (to be provided) using the ideas taught in class. This exercise is designed to demonstrate students’ understanding of the concepts taught and their ability to apply them to analysing a game. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of video games studies theories and practices.
  • communicate clearly and effectively a range of ideas in a variety of media forms.
  • identify and analyse different disciplinary approaches to video game analysis.

Game Design Task

Assessment Type 1: Design Implementation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 33 hours
Due: 23:59 on 5/06/22
Weighting: 30%

 

A design implementation task using a 3D game engine. You will design a level for a simple video game and write a 1-2 page document describing the engine features you use and how they contribute towards your design.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • communicate clearly and effectively a range of ideas in a variety of media forms.
  • apply game design skills and methodologies to the production of basic video games.

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

Each week you should watch a pre-recorded lecture and attend a two hour practical. In weeks 1-6 you will have a tutorial (shown in your schedule as an 'SGTA'). The tutorials will be 1 hour long in week 1, and two hours for weeks 2-6.

Some live lectures (accessible online) will also be held in the scheduled lecture time to introduce the unit (in week 1) and certain assessment items (in later weeks). You should check iLearn for related announcements, Zoom links and an updated schedule for all classes - http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

For official details of class times and locations consult the timetables webpage - http://timetables.mq.edu.au

Note: Practicals and tutorials commence in Week 1.

You should have selected a tutorial and a practical at enrolment. You should attend the tutorial and practical you are enrolled in. For further details refer to iLearn.

 

Resources to assist your learning

Textbook

Adams, E. (2010) Fundamentals of game design is a recommended text for this subject but it is not required. It is, however, strongly recommended that students who are proceeding with the Bachelor of Game Design and Development buy this book as it will be a useful reference throughout your degree. For further details refer to iLearn.

 

Readings

The COMP1150/MMCC1011 readings will be provided online through iLearn.

 

Website

The website for this unit is provided through the University's iLearn system. iLearn can be found at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. If you are enrolled in this unit you should have access to the material on iLearn once you log on.

 

Discussion Boards

The discussion board for this unit can be accessed through the iLearn site.

 

Technologies Employed

Game Design Environment: the Unity game engine will be used to create your game. This is a free download and runs on both PCs and Macs.

 

Consultation Times

The full contact details and consultation times of convenors Mitchell McEwan and Rowan Tulloch are available on the iLearn site.

Unit Schedule

Lectures and tutorials will cover weekly topics such as:

  • What is a game?
  • Approaches to Discourse (including cultural impacts, violence and classification)
  • Game Essentialism
  • Gamification
  • The Magic Circle
  • Gender
  • Player Experience
  • Discovery and Mastery
  • Game Analysis
  • Models and Metaphors
  • Games and Meaning

Practicals will introduce the Unity game engine and cover practical skills related to version control, 2D physics and animation, layers, triggers and prefabs, meshes and textures, terrain, ProBuilder and package manager, cameras, lighting, particle systems and interactivity.

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:

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.

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:

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.


Unit information based on version 2022.04 of the Handbook