Assignment 2 – Dissertation
Due Date: 9th September
This is an 8000 word academic essay with a practical component on a self-selected topic
relevant to the course, approved by your dissertation supervisor.
This piece of work should combine your thinking and research with a practical component to
support it or visa versa. The two pieces of work should be considered very strongly as a
holistic piece of work, they should reflect and support one another. There is not a ‘weighting’
between them, both pieces of work are blended and should be seen as this throughout the
process.
The project first requires you to identify an area suitable for development. It then entails
devising a relevant and feasible research question, which is then thoroughly investigated, with
guidance from your supervisory team. There will be a practical component also which is
created in conjunction with this and this should also be done with guidance from your
supervisory team.
An MA dissertation needs to have a strong theoretical grounding and should demonstrate
strong analytical skills, as well as a high level of critical engagement with relevant academic
sources. You will critically evaluate and engage with a topic of choice, demonstrating familiarity
with the existing knowledge in relevant academic fields and supporting a thesis through the
analysis of primary and secondary sources. You will be required to frame both the topic of
your selection and the thesis you are proposing within existing debates in the field of game
studies, and other adjacent ones based on relevance. In terms of structure, it normally
comprises of an abstract, a literature review, a methodology, analytical chapters, conclusions,
and a bibliography/ludography. Make sure to read the ‘Theses Formatting Guidelines’
document (you will find under the Module Information tab on Blackboard) for more information
on the structure of the thesis.
NB: Please bear in mind that, should the research methods used involve human
participants in any form (this could be a variety of methods including interviews,
surveys, etc.), you will require approval from the Brunel Research Ethics Committee.
Your supervisor can guide you through this process, but ethics approval should be
sought as early in the process as possible.
Students should identify and focus on a topic or issue current within digital games and explore
it theoretically in the written component as well as in a practical way for the practical
component. Once again, clear links between the theory and the practice should be made;
these should not be viewed as two disjointed pieces of work on the same topic/them but as
two closely linked pieces of work, where the theory directly informs the design and vice versa.
The dissertation will be marked according to the following criteria:
Unacceptable
F
Addresses
Question
Application
of and
Engagement
with
Appropriate
Concepts
and Sources
Links
Between
Theory and
Practice
Presentation
and
Referencing
Clarity of
Core Game
Idea
Functional
Coherence
Audience
Appeal
Creativity
and
Innovation
Poor E/E/E+
Weak D/D/D+
Satisfactory
C-/C/C+
Good B/B/B+
Excellent A/A/A+/A++
Assessment Rubric
Grades
Brunel University Generic Undergraduate Grade Descriptors
Grade A*
Clearly demonstrates a highly sophisticated, critical and thorough understanding of the topic.
Provides clear evidence of originality and independence of thought and clearly demonstrates
exceptional ability to develop a highly systematic and logical or insightful argument, solution
or evaluation at the current Level. Demonstrates exceptional ability in the appropriate use of
the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise
at the current Level. Shows an exceptionally high level of clarity, focus and cogency in
communication at the current Level.
Grade Band A (A+, A, A-)
Clearly demonstrates a sophisticated, critical and thorough understanding of the topic.
Provides evidence of independence of thought and clearly demonstrates the ability to develop
a highly systematic and logical or insightful argument, solution or evaluation at the current
Level. Demonstrates excellence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory,
methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at the current Level. Shows a
high level of clarity, focus and cogency in communication at the current Level.
Grade Band B (B+, B, B-)
Clearly demonstrates a well-developed, critical and comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Provides some evidence of independence of thought and clearly demonstrates the ability to
develop a systematic and logical or insightful argument, solution or evaluation at the current
Level. Demonstrates a high degree of competence in the appropriate use of the relevant
literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at the
current Level. Shows clarity, focus and cogency in communication at the current Level.
Grade Band C (C+, C, C-)
Demonstrates a systematic and substantial understanding of the topic. Demonstrates the
ability to develop a systematic argument or solution at the current Level. Demonstrates a
significant degree of competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory,
methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at the current Level. Provides
evidence of clarity and focus in communication at the current Level.
Grade Band D (D+, D, D-)
Provides evidence of a systematic understanding of the key aspects of the topic.
Demonstrates the ability to present a sufficiently structured argument or solution at the current
Level. Demonstrates an acceptable degree of competence in the appropriate use of the
relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., to analyse and synthesise at
the current Level. Provides evidence of effective communication at the current Level.
Grade Band E (E+, E, E-)
Provides evidence of some understanding of key aspects of the topic and some ability to
present an appropriate argument or solution at the current Level. Demonstrates some
competence in the appropriate use of the relevant literature, theory, methodologies, practices,
tools, etc at the current Level. Provides some evidence of effective communication at the
current Level. However, there is also evidence of deficiencies which mean that the threshold
standard (D-) has not been met.
Grade F
Work that is unacceptable.
Guidance
Make sure to pick a project that excites you and helps you develop in your engagement with
digital games. This is something you want to read about, delve into and investigate very
thoroughly.
Do your preparation and make sure to think about how you are going to approach the work
in a sensible, controlled fashion.
Make sure to have regular supervisory meetings, this is not work that can be left to the last
minute, nor are supervisors able to offer much assistance to those who have fallen
significantly behind.
Consider scale of the work – do not try to make a grand epic, but instead make something
that can be completed in the timeframe.
Be thorough and detailed in the approach to the work.
When thinking about the game being created make sure to create something original, not a
tech demo, aim for creativity and flair.
When thinking about the written work make sure to have researched thoroughly,
investigate the sources, look further and bring the work together well.
If you have ANY questions please ask.