Elements and Performance Criteria

Game requirements may include:

technical specifications

creative requirements:

user capabilities

user characteristics

production requirements

Factors which may determine and affect the game design and the breakdown of the brief may include:

budget

timeline

technical resources

human resources

complexity of game

delivery platform

implementation

user

Range of structures for game design may include:

plot

setting

virtual architecture

characters

conflict

point of view

navigation

The range of game parameters may include:

skill levels

judgements

choices

decisions

codes

rules

levels of progression

goals

actions

events

levels of difficulty

scoring

calculation of scoring

user control

user interaction

options for single player or multi-player

customisation

Appropriate personnel to consult may include:

game designers

programmers

technical director

other specialist technical staff

director

producer

art director

graphic designers

heads of department

user/audience

other specialist personnel

Design techniques may include:

drawing

storyboarding

scanning drawings and photographs

using image and background generation tools

Visual elements may include:

colour

line

tone

texture

shape

form

Multimedia elements may include:
screen images:
graphics
photographs
drawings
video/film
animation
buttons
colours
text
content
videos
style
icons
backgrounds
flow chart

Delivery platform may include:

world wide web

CD-ROM

Multimedia productions may include or be included in:
aspects or sections of film/ video production:
feature
documentary
short film and/or video
animations
commercials
live or pre-recorded performances
music video
television production of any type (music, drama, comedy, variety, sport)
live or pre-recorded television productions
educational product
game
promotional product
information product
training product
e-commerce
a range of others

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of essential knowledge of, and skills in, the following areas:

the ability to review decisions in term of user characteristics and requirements
knowledge and application of a range of game software
knowledge and application the principles of game design and construction knowledge of computers and computer operating systems
knowledge of the limiting factors of computer hardware
knowledge and application of strategies to test games and products
interpreting creative information, scripts and images
understanding the capabilities of other collaborative personnel
understanding the creative elements of a production
design and drawing skills
ability to maintain design integrity
knowledge of screen principles
knowledge of basic editing principles, eg composition, framing, pacing, timing
information sources and management
effective communication skills
copyright laws, regulations and copyright clearance procedures

Linkages to other units
This unit has linkages to the following units and combined training delivery and/or assessment is recommended:
CUFRAD01A Originate and develop the concept
CUFMEM06A Design a multimedia product
CUFMEM14A Create, manipulate, and incorporate 2D graphics
CUSRAD02A Conduct research

Critical aspects of evidence
Assessment must be customised to meet the needs of the particular sector in which performance is being assessed. Assessment should only address those variable circumstances, listed in the range of variables statements, which apply to the chosen context.
The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
design/production and planning of game design for a multimedia product which demonstrates the application of communication principles

Method and context of assessment
Assessment may take place on the job, off the job or a combination of both of these. Off the job assessment must be undertaken in a closely simulated workplace environment.
Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:
practical demonstration (direct observation may need to occur on more than one occasion to establish consistency of performance)
role play
case studies
work samples or simulated workplace activities
oral questioning/interview aimed at evaluating the processes used in developing and realising the creative concept
projects/reports/logbooks
third party reports and authenticated prior achievements
portfolios of evidence which demonstrate the processes used in developing and realising the creative concept

Resource requirements
Assessment requires access to a range of resources and equipment listed in the range of variables statement, currently used by the multimedia industry.

Communicating ideas and information
(3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(3)

Planning and organising activities
(3)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(2)

Using technology
(2)