Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and Production

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and Production is to provide learners with competencies in game design and production, while covering all other relevant areas that relate to the production of games, inter alia planning and managing production, creating assets, programming, digital animation, organising finances, distribution and marketing. In addition to the design and creative aspects of game production, practical work incorporated into modules serve to manifest and refine skillsets on all aspects of the game design and production process. Coherence is provided by the logical development of core skills with strong cross-referencing of topics between modules and selected supporting modules that provides a well-rounded skillset.

Learners will be introduced to the game design and development industry and be exposed to relevant technology, creative and innovative thinking and research in creative media to enable them to develop appropriate skills, abilities ad attributes. A final practical project in third year requires the creative application of all knowledge and skills gained in the qualification to design, produce, test and document a game, along with a business model to potentially generate income from it. The Bachelor of Game Design and Production qualification is aligned with global media industry standards and uses industry preferred gaming platforms as a basis for game design and production to ensure relevance.

The qualification aims to ensure that the qualifying learner has attained the abilities and attributes such as

• Ability to systematically utilise production methods and processes.
• Research skills and abilities.
• Professional attitudes.
• Effective teamwork.
• Creative expression.

Rationale

The gaming industry is growing rapidly in South Africa. Interactive Entertainment South Africa (IESA), reported in its annual South Africa (SA) gaming industry surveys, a growth in annual gaming revenue of more than 300% between 2014 and 2016 which confirms the employment potential and prospects that exists in the game development industry in South Africa.

The qualification has been structured to develop knowledge, skills and competence in game design and production for learners aspiring to enter into careers in this industry to prepare learners to enter the industry with the capacity to be productive with minimal additional training. The qualification will contribute to the growth, quality and competitiveness of game production on the African continent and good prospects of taking up employment opportunities with the SA gaming industry. The curriculum exposes learners to both the design and production aspects of gaming with a strong focus on technology and creativity generally expected and required in this industry. Qualifying learners will be able to gain employment in the industry and will also be able to access qualifications at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 in relevant fields.

Career opportunities for qualifying learners exist in/as

• Games Artist.
• Technical artist.
• Games developer.
• Story Writer (games).
• Game World Editor.
• Digital media producer.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners may achieve this qualification in part through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). As such, the institution will recognise skills, knowledge and experience achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning in accordance with its RPL policy. Prospective learners who do not meet entry requirements may also apply for RPL to gain entry into the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• A Higher Certificate, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Diploma, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Advanced Certificate, NQF Level 6 in a cognate discipline.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 367 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 87 Credits

• Academic Literacy, 6 Credits.
• Asset Design 1: Game Aesthetics, 15 Credits.
• Asset Design 2: Digital Imaging, 10 Credits.
• Game History, 10 Credits.
• Game Production 1: Analogue, 15 Credits.
• Game Studies: Storytelling, 10 Credits.
• Media Studies Introduction, 6 Credits.
• Scripting 1: Introduction, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6, 145 Credits

• Asset Design 3: 2D Animation, 15 Credits.
• Finance and Distribution, 15 Credits.
• Game Production 2, 15 Credits.
• Game Studies 2: Game Theory, 15 Credits.
• Game Studies 3: Technology, 15 Credits.
• Marketing and Social Media, 15 Credits.
• Media Literacy, 10 Credits.
• Research Basics, 10 Credits.
• Scripting 2, 15 Credits.
• Scripting 3, 15 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning, 5 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 7,135 Credits

• Asset Design 4: 3D Animation, 15 Credits.
• Final Project, 60 Credits.
• Final Research Component, 15 Credits.
• Game Production 3: Finishing, 15 Credits.
• Game Studies 4: Mechanics, 15 Credits.
• Scripting, 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge and understanding of game conceptualisation, design and production.
2. Creatively design and develop digital assets appropriate for use in game production.
3. Develop programming code for the use in games in accordance with industry preferred coding structures and standards.
4. Conceptualise, design and produce a functional game using a gaming platform and industry standard software tools.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate integrated knowledge and applied understanding of the principles of game theory.
• Demonstrate integrated knowledge and applied understanding of various aspects of game.
• Critically examine and explain the impact of technological development on the type and nature of digital games in modern society.
• Examine the types and genres (both pure genres, sub-genres, and crossovers) of past and present game types.
• Evaluate and compare a selection of historical and current gaming platforms.
• Demonstrate applied knowledge and understanding of story lines in games.
• Evaluate the social interaction experienced through games, as well as the categorisation of games in the context of given examples.
• Apply integrated knowledge and understanding of a variety of input and output methods in gaming.
• Apply integrated knowledge and understanding of the common mathematical functions used in coding.
• Apply probability principles in game development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply the principles of visual communication and design theory in relation to two-dimensional digital imaging.
• Apply the principles of visual communication and design theory in relation to three-dimensional digital imaging.
• Evaluate digital two-dimensional images as a communications medium in the creative media industry.
• Design and optimise digital assets for cross-media delivery.
• Apply the principles of digital media management are applied.
• Design and use appropriate creative graphic elements in the construction of user interfaces (UIs).
• Create and animate 2D and 3D graphic elements for incorporation into games.
• Implement and use an industry standard game development platform.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Integrate knowledge and apply an understanding of the principles of computer architecture, software and computer programming languages.
• Explain and apply the syntax of a programming language in scripting and coding.
• Examine and apply the commonly used algorithms effectively in coding.
• Apply the principles used in modern object-oriented programming.
• Apply logical process breakdown methodology to break down a process into a series of actions.
• Demonstrate the application of- and implementation of an algorithm.
• Demonstrate integrated knowledge of coding and decoding.
• Develop and apply code in industry standard gaming software.
• Analyse and resolve code errors.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate creative and integrated knowledge in the conceptualisation of games.
• Incorporate various digital elements, including 2D and 3D graphic and sound assets, creatively and appropriately in an industry standard game platform.
• Incorporate prefabricated digital assets effectively in game projects.
• Explain the fundamental differences between 2D or 3D game creation.
• Use industry standard software tools to build a menu and user interface for a game.
• Explain and design game state machines using industry standard tools.
• Carry out game production as a logical step-by-step process.
• Interpret a brief to inform a game production project, artistically and creatively.
• Apply artistic and time management skills in a game project.
• Follow the preproduction process to plan and carry out a project according to given criteria.
• Communicate specialist technical and creative ideas and perspectives in the game development discipline, formally and informally.
• Carry out a game project from the design and prototyping stages to the finalised game.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification follows an integrated assessment approach. Assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way. Learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably interwoven and applied as continuing assessment.

Formative assessment is employed throughout the year to gauge and guide academic success, using a variety of different assessment instruments, relevant to the subject matter and learning objectives of each module. Formative assessment instruments may include any combination of:

• Tests.
• Quizzes.
• Assignments.
• Projects.
• Case, studies.
• Discussion fora.
• Portfolios and/or presentations.

Formative assessments are marked and detailed feedback given to learners to guide their learning and preparation to support the achievement of outcomes for the programme.

Summative assessment for each module may consist of an examination, portfolio of work, assignment or practical project, depending on the nature of the learning content and objectives.