Multimedia Games
Development
COM429
Module Overview
Times and Locations
Lecture/practical
Tuesday 9.15 – 14.05 Room MG122
Lecture/presentation 9-11
Unity lab 11-2
Contact Details
Augusto Gómez Eguíluz
Michael Callaghan
MS132
Email: mj.callaghan@ulster.ac.uk
Tel: 02871675771
Online Resources
Details of Module specification, learning
outcomes, marking schemes and other
resources can be found online here
Module website
http://scisweb.ulster.ac.uk/~michael/COM429/index.html
Module handout
http://scisweb.ulster.ac.uk/~michael/COM429/Documents/Module_handout/Module_handout_COM429_2013.doc
Module specification
http://cis.ulster.ac.uk/administrator/files/modulespecs/com429.pdf
Module aims
The aims of this module are to:
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To provide students with a thorough
understanding of the fundamental concepts of the
game design and development process
To develop the students ability to effectively use
multimedia content for games
To enhance the students skills and introduce them
to industry standard game content authoring tools
and game engines
Learning Outcomes
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Demonstrate their ability to effectively use multimedia
content in computer games
Identify and apply an appropriate approach to the
design and implementation of interactive multimedia
games, including requirements gathering and critical
evaluation of multimedia solutions,
Demonstrate their ability to create game prototypes,
incorporating multimedia assets
Demonstrate an understanding of industry standard
game authoring tools and platforms.
Main Topics
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Game design/planning/implementation process
Primarily using Unity3D
Unity 3D Ecosystem
Schedule
Assignment weighing &
submission deadlines
Submission Deadlines
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Assignment 1
11/02/14
(Week 3)
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Assignment 2
25/02/14
(Week 5)
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Assignment 3
15/04/14
(Week 12)
Assignments Overview
Three assignments with a progressive
common theme game prototype planning and
design
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Propose, assess and critically evaluate
Plan and design
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Implement
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3 x team assignments
Self/group assessment form
Each assignment submission must be
accompanied by a signed/completed self/group
assessment form.
A copy of this form is available here … download form
Teams
Teams
Teams
Assignment 1 Overview
Assignment 1: Pitch and present an innovative
game for the mobile market and Dare to be Digital
Total available marks 20
Team assignment
Assignment 1
Due 11/02/14 (Week 3)
Assignment 1
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As a team create 2 x short pitch
documents/presentations for an innovative game
you are going to create that you feel would be
successful in the Dare competition
Ensure that your game idea could be implemented
within the constraints of the competition duration
and team size/composition
Structure of the document is closely based on the
previous application form for Dare to be Digital
Pitch document generated should follow the format
given. Word limits will be strictly adhered to!
Assignment 1
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Game must be suitable for mobile platform e.g.
iPad, Android pad
Must employ platform appropriate game
mechanics and control systems
Mechanics needs to be innovative but simple!
E.g. multitouch, flick, orientation, tap
Assignment 1
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No RPG, FPS, action-adventure genres!
Focus on virtual pets, puzzle, arcade, Construction
and Management Simulation (CMS) and possibly
strategy
Genre’s generally better suited for mobile platforms
Industry disruption
iPad/Nexus 7+10/Kindle Fire
Mobile trends
Rise of the indies
Essential viewing
http://buy.indiegamethemovie.com/
Low barrier to entry
Lost in the crowd
God of War
Call of Duty
Assassins Creed
FIFA 2013
Orderly release with big budgets
Pitch Format
Pitch document x 2 should be comprised of the following;
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Concise game description (maximum 100 words)
Description of core game play (maximum 100 words)
Discussion of market potential of title (maximum 100 words)
Discussion of target audience (maximum 100 words)
Description of innovation and creativity (maximum 100 words)
Discussion of which technology you are using and why? (maximum 100
words)
Short work plan clearly showing how you could design a level for your
game in the next 9 weeks. (Flexible length but must be concise!)
Project planning
Project plan example to use
http://scisweb.ulster.ac.uk/~michael/COM429/Dare%20planning%20material/project.mpp
100 Word Games Pitch
There’ll be no trick or treating this Halloween!
Slyghoul the Hungry has risen and hasn’t fed for a hundred years.
He traps the children of Yew-tree Orphanage and grows stronger from their
fears. Only three children escape his grasp, but for how long?
Bound by need and circumstance; Lofty, Missey, and Rabbit must uncover their
inner strengths to escape. Light, Sound and Friendship are their only weapons
to defeat Slyghoul and his minions.
Time is running out, the light is fading, help them face their fears and save the
others...
Or be trapped forever by the Creeping Dark!
Assignment 1 Output
Report and class presentation.
Report format
 Size: Must comply with the Dare to be Digital
application form format and must be within the
stated word limit!
 Font: Times New Roman, size:12
 Spacing: Single line
 Style:Technical/Formal
Assignment 1 Output
Submission Guidelines for presentation
 Each team will do a 10 minute games pitch of
their ideas in week 3 (5 minutes per idea)
 Focus on key selling point/game mechanic
 Class votes on 2 ideas and which one to
develop further
Assignment 1 Output
Submission Guidelines for presentation
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Powerpoint presentation of appropriate length
e.g. 10 minutes = 10 slides
Submission Details
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Assignments should be submitted on day of
presentation … before start of presentations!
Assignment 1 Deliverables
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Hard copy of report and presentation slides
CDROM containing digital copy of reports and
presentation slides
Presentation to class in week 3
Assignment 1 Mark Allocation
Outcome of assignment 1
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After the class presentation in week 3 the
class will vote on the best idea to go forward
and be developed further.
The team will then develop and make this
game.
Week 3 presentations
10 Minutes presentation, 5 minutes per game and 5 minutes questions
Assignment 2 Overview
Assignment 2: Creation of an abbreviated game
design document (Preproduction)
Total available marks 30
Group assignment (5-6 x Students)
Assignment 2
Due 25/02/14 (Week 5)
Example document here
Assignment 2 (Preproduction)
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Create an abbreviated game design document for
the game prototype you will create in Unity 3D for
Assignment 3.
Use game idea from assignment 1
Structure is based on template/examples supplied
Report generated should follow the format given as
closely as possible, Example document here
Be realistic on time constraints
You must pitch your game to the class in a formal
presentation
Assignment 2 Guidelines
The document should follow the game design document
structure provided and also include accompanying
support material
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Description of game prototype
Game prototype concept development material
(including rough sketches/photographs)
Level layout/ game prototype/design diagram (Level
blueprint) and game board
App store description mock up (images and text)
Assignment 2 Output
Report, supporting material and class presentation
Submission Guidelines for report
 As required following format/template given
Submission Guidelines for presentation
 Powerpoint presentation of appropriate length
Submission Details
 Assignments should be submitted on day of presentation
Assignment 2 Deliverables
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Hard copy of game design document
Print out of app store description
CDROM containing digital copy of all
report/presentation and supporting material
Presentation/pitch to class in week 5
Level blueprint & game board
Level blueprint and game board from Level Design for Games, Phil Co
App store description
Assignment 2 Mark Allocation
Assignment 3 Overview
Assignment 3: Create a playable level in Unity3D
Total available marks 50
Group assignment (5-6 x Students)
Assignment 3
Due 15/04/14 (Week 12)
Assignment 3 (Implementation)
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Design a game level in Unity 3D
Targeted at iPad/Nexus type devices
Prototype based on the game design document in assignment 2
Must be related to and complement your games pitch
Can reuse content/models available online or within Unity 3D
provided they adequately referenced but must have a high level
of custom content
Assignment includes a presentation where the student will detail
to the class each stage in development and implementation
process and present their final work
Gameplay, Gameplay, Gameplay!
Innovative Game play!
Assignment 3 Output
Source material, game prototype, screen capture video
walkthrough giving overview of level, construction process and
game play, class presentation
Submission Details
 Assignments should be submitted on day of presentation
Deliverables (submitted on CD-ROM)
 A playable prototype in Unity with annotation (including .exe)
 Source code and support material (E.g. Textures, 3DS Max models etc)
 Copy of class PowerPoint presentation
Assignment 3 Mark Allocation
Deliverables for Week 2
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Review Dare website
Review last years Dare entries
Familiarisation with Unity website
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Read The No Twinkie articles
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Recommended Reading
Unity 3D Game Development by Example Beginner's Guide
Author: R Creighton
Publisher: PACKT PUBLISHING (24 Sep 2010)
ISBN-10: 1849690545/ ISBN-13: 978-1849690546
Unity Game Development Essentials
Author: W Goldstone
Publisher: PACKT PUBLISHING (13 Oct 2009)
ISBN-10: 184719818X/ISBN-13: 978-1847198181
Recommended Reading
3D Game Textures: Create Professional Game Art Using Photoshop
Author: Luke Ahearn
Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (22 Jul 2009)
ISBN-10: 0240811488/ISBN-13: 978-0240811482
3ds Max Modeling for Games: Insider's Guide to Game Character
Author: Andrew Gahan
Publisher: Focal Press (26 Sep 2008)
ISBN-10: 0240810619/ISBN-13: 978-0240810614
Recommended Reading
Game Development Essentials: Gameplay Mechanics
Author: Troy Dunniway
Publisher: Delmar (19 Mar 2008)
ISBN-10: 1418052698/ISBN-13: 978-1418052690
Game Development Essentials
Author: Jeannie Novak
Publisher: Delmar Learning
ISBN-10: 1401878644/ISBN-13: 978-1401878641
Recommended Reading
Game Level Design
Author: Ed Byrne
Publisher: Charles River Media (Dec 2004)
ISBN-10: 1584503696, ISBN-13: 978-1584503699
Level Design for Games: Creating Compelling Game Experiences
Author: Phil Co
Publisher: New Riders (Feb 2006)
ISBN-10: 032137597, ISBN-13: 978-0321375971
Recommended sites
http://www.design3.com/
Recommended sites
http://www.3dbuzz.com/
Recommended sites
http://walkerboystudio.com/html/unity_training___free__.html
Recommended sites
Unity 3D
http://unity3d.com/
Design 3 Unity Tutorials
http://www.design3.com/
Learn Unity
http://learnunity3d.com/
3D Buzz
http://www.3dbuzz.com
Recommended sites
Dare to be Digital
http://www.daretobedigital.com
Ernest Adams
http://www.designersnotebook.com/
Games industry magazine
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/
http://www.developmag.com/
http://www.gamasutra.com/
Module groupwork
Questions?
Any questions?
Multimedia Games
Development
COM429
Module Overview