Module Descriptors
ADVANCED MECHANICS DESIGN
GDEV50004
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 5
20 credits
Contact
Leader: Benjamin Williams
Email: b.williams@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 48
Independent Study Hours: 152
Total Learning Hours: 200
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, UG Semester 1 to UG Semester 2
- Occurrence B, Digital Institute London, UG Semester 1 to UG Semester 2
- Occurrence C, British University Vietnam, UG Semester 2
Sites
- British University Vietnam
- Digital Institute London
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- REFLECTIVE VIDEO weighted at 30%
- PLAYABLE PROTOTYPE MECHANICS weighted at 70%
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module will cover the following topics:
3D Mechanic Considerations
Forgiveness Mechanics
GUI Design
Design Patterns
Event Driven Gameplay
Performance and Optimisation
Further Object-Oriented Principles
3D Mechanic Considerations
Forgiveness Mechanics
GUI Design
Design Patterns
Event Driven Gameplay
Performance and Optimisation
Further Object-Oriented Principles
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Assessment Component 1 - (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3)
Playable Prototype Mechanics weighted at 70% consisting of:
A project showcasing mechanics made using clean code structure
A mechanic design document including references to inspirations
Assessment Component 2 - (Learning Outcome 4)
A Reflective Video weighted at 30% consisting of:
You will create a short video that shows off the created mechanics and analyses
Playable Prototype Mechanics weighted at 70% consisting of:
A project showcasing mechanics made using clean code structure
A mechanic design document including references to inspirations
Assessment Component 2 - (Learning Outcome 4)
A Reflective Video weighted at 30% consisting of:
You will create a short video that shows off the created mechanics and analyses
LEARNING STRATEGIES
2 x 3-hour lecture/tutorial sessions per week which will include demonstrations, development periods, critiques and support opportunities.
Learning will be supported by a range of video and written tutorials available online via a VLE.
Learning will be supported by a range of video and written tutorials available online via a VLE.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Research effective methods to create interesting gameplay in 3D virtual space
2. Critique mechanics and their code structure
3. Design clean code structures for the creation of complex game mechanics
4. Communicate the planned structures and intention of mechanics
RESOURCES
Unity Engine
Microsoft Visual Studio
Adobe Photoshop
Autodesk 3ds Max
Version Control (GitHub, Plastic SCM or equivalent)
Digital Academy Forums
Digital Academy Uploads
Microsoft Visual Studio
Adobe Photoshop
Autodesk 3ds Max
Version Control (GitHub, Plastic SCM or equivalent)
Digital Academy Forums
Digital Academy Uploads
REFERENCE TEXTS
Nystrom, R (2014) Game Programming Patterns ISBN: 978-0990582908
GameDevGuide (n.d.) [Online] https://www.youtube.com/@GameDevGuide
Ferrone H (2021) Learning C# by Developing Games with Unity 2021 ISBN: 978-1801813945
Coster, S (2020) Forgiveness Mechanics: Reading Minds for Responsive Gameplay [Online] https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1026606/Forgiveness-Mechanics-Reading-Minds-for
Adams, E & Dormans, J (2012) Game Mechanics: Advanced Game Design ISBN: 978-0321820273
Swink, S (2008) Game Feel: A Game Designer’s Guide to Virtual Sensation ISBN: 978-0123743282
Schell, J (2019) The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third Edition ISBN: 978-1138632059
GameDevGuide (n.d.) [Online] https://www.youtube.com/@GameDevGuide
Ferrone H (2021) Learning C# by Developing Games with Unity 2021 ISBN: 978-1801813945
Coster, S (2020) Forgiveness Mechanics: Reading Minds for Responsive Gameplay [Online] https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1026606/Forgiveness-Mechanics-Reading-Minds-for
Adams, E & Dormans, J (2012) Game Mechanics: Advanced Game Design ISBN: 978-0321820273
Swink, S (2008) Game Feel: A Game Designer’s Guide to Virtual Sensation ISBN: 978-0123743282
Schell, J (2019) The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third Edition ISBN: 978-1138632059
WEB DESCRIPTOR
You will explore how adding a dimension to gameplay adds to the possibilities of what can be created. On completion of this module, you will be able to design complex mechanics with an understanding of how the end user will interact with them.