Students
COMP1150 – Introduction to Video Games
2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Michael Hitchens
Contact via contact via email
12WW 330
by appointment
Convenor/lecturer
Rowan Tulloch
Contact via contact via email
10HA 191C
by appointment
Lecturer/Practical demosntrator
Kayson Whitehouse
Contact via contact via email
4RPD level 3
by appointment
Lecturer
Cameron Edmond
Contact via contact via email
4RPD level 3
by appointment
Practical demonstrator
Connor McGrath
Contact via contact via email
Practical demonstrator
Guriqbal Singh
Contact via contact via email
Practical demonstrator
Vedant Sansare
Contact via contact via email
Practical demonstrator
John Visvikis
Contact via contact via email
Practical demonstrator
Leon Ono
Contact via contact via email
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
MMCC1011
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| 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
To pass this unit you must achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation 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. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submission of scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration.
Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted
- Game Analysis - YES, Standard Late Penaltiy applies
- Major Essay - YES, Standard Late Penaltiy applies
- Game Design Task - YES, Standard Late Penaltiy applies
- Practical Exercises - NO - Unless Special Consideration is Granted
- Practice Based Tutorial - NO - Unless Special Consideration is Granted
Special Consideration
The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment.
Written Assessments: If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.
Weekly practice-based tasks: If you miss a weekly practical/tutorial class due to a serious, unavoidable and significant disruption, contact your convenor ASAP as you may be able to attend another class that week.
If it is not possible to attend another class, you should still contact your convenor for access to class material to review in your own time.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Based Tutorial | 10% | No | Ongoing Weeks 2-6 |
| Game Analysis | 14% | No | 11:55pm on 21/05/2023 |
| Major Essay | 40% | No | 11:55 pm on 06/04/2023 |
| Game Design Task | 30% | No | 11:55 pm on 04/06/2023 |
| Practical Exercises Video Game Tasks | 6% | No | Ongoing Weeks 1-12 |
Practice Based Tutorial
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based 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.
Game Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 11:55pm on 21/05/2023
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.
Major Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: 11:55 pm on 06/04/2023
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 Design Task
Assessment Type 1: Design Implementation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 33 hours
Due: 11:55 pm on 04/06/2023
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.
Practical Exercises Video Game Tasks
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based 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.
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
Week 1
Practicals and SGTAs commence in week 1
Methods of Comnunication
We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn, especially the unit forums. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to COMP1150@mq.edu.au from your university email address. For eamils, please include the unit code in the subject.
COVID-19
For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coronavirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.
Classes
Each week you should attend the lecture or watch the recording of it and attend a two-hour practical. Th3e lectures for weeks 2-6 will only be available in pre-recorded form. All live lectures will be recorded. In weeks 1-6 you will have a SGTA. The SGTA will be one hour long in week 1, and two hours for weeks 2-6.
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 SGTA commence in Week 1.
You should have selected a SGTA 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. (2014). Fundamentals of game design. 3rd Edition 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.
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:
- 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 Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
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 since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 27/01/2023 | I forgot to put Cameron in the staff list - he's in there now |
Unit information based on version 2023.02 of the Handbook