Students

COMP1150 – Introduction to Video Games

2024 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor/lecturer
Rowan Tulloch
rowan.tulloch@mq.edu.au
Contact via contact via email
10HA 191C
by appointment
Convenor/lecturer
Kayson Whitehouse
kayson.whitehouse@mq.edu.au
Contact via contact via email
4RPD level 3
by appointment
Convenor
Malcolm Ryan
malcolm.ryan@mq.edu.au
Contact via contact via email
4RPD level 3
by appointment
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

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) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

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
  • Active Tutorial Participation - 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
Practical Exercises Video Game Tasks 6% No Weekly
Practice Based Tutorial 10% No Weekly
Game Design Task 30% No Week 13
Major Essay 40% No Week 11
Game Analysis 14% No Week 7

Practical Exercises Video Game Tasks

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly
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.

Practice Based Tutorial

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly
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 Design Task

Assessment Type 1: Design Implementation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 33 hours
Due: Week 13
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.

Major Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: Week 11
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: Week 7
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.

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

Lectures

All lectures are pre-recorded and can be watched through iLearn. There are no live lectures in this unit.

Week 1

Practicals and Tutorials/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 emailed from your university email address. For emails, please include the unit code in the subject.

Classes

Each week you should watch the recorded lecture and attend a two-hour practical and a 1 hour SGTA/Tutorial.

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 Class Finder. For details see: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/enrolling/create-timetable

Note: Practicals and SGTA/Tutorials commence in Week 1.

You should have selected a SGTA/tutorial and a practical at enrolment. You should attend the SGTA/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)
  • Procedural Rhetoric
  • 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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.03 of the Handbook