Higher Certificate in Game Design and Development Practice

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Game Design and Development Practice is to cater for school leavers' learning needs and professionals who may have a related first qualification but are keen to upskill in the field of game development. This qualification has been specifically selected to equip learners with the knowledge and skills identified as crucial for entry-level positions in the gaming industry. Coherence in the programme design is further evidenced in the module selection and the choice of assessments.

The purpose of this qualification is twofold. First, it will equip learners with the foundational theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for entry-level positions in the gaming industry. Second, the foundational nature of this qualification will provide learners with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools, and practical techniques to pursue further higher education studies within the field of game design and development or related fields.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Select suitable strategies and techniques in a game design and development environment.
• Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of relevant programming language logic, syntax and use in the pipeline, mechanics, and development of a game.
• Design a basic game with rules, mechanics, and narrative, digital and non-digital and

combine production elements to create a digital video game experience on a basic level.

• Create 2D and 3D artwork/assets for use within an industry-standard game engine on a basic level.
• Produce basic game-ready assets contextualised by design, modelling, texturing, animating, and rigging.
• Demonstrate the fundamental ability to implement, produce and source 2D and 3D game assets for an industry-standard game engine.

Rationale

Education can transform the lives of learners and, consequently, the communities and families they represent. Providing access, broadly understood to encompass both formal and epistemological notions of access to higher education, is a starting point for initiating the process of transformation, which has the learners' identity, understanding of the world, and academic knowledge as the focus.

This qualification comes as support of the notion that education, in particular higher education, is a significant contributor to the growth of South Africa's economy by providing quality education, upskilling the youth, and providing opportunities to address unemployment in South Africa (South Africa Economic Update, 2019. World Bank).

For higher education institutions to successfully contribute to the economic growth of the country and respond to unemployment, it is essential to develop programmes that allow access to higher education, use flexible modes of provision, i.e., open distance learning, and explicitly use vocational qualifications aligned to the industries where significant job growth is expected (Gaming Market - Growth, Trends, Forecasts 2020 - 2025).

The introduction of this qualification addresses critical focus areas highlighted in the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training (2013), requiring the development of qualifications that increase access, use diverse modes of provision and link education to the workplace.

The Higher Certificate in Game Design and Development Practice aligns with the technological advancements and the growing digital community leading to the accelerated growth of several entertainment industries (Javed, 2020). The game design and development field is growing in line with digital expansion, with significant projected growth.

"Game developers across emerging economies are continually striving to enhance gamer's experience, launching, and rewriting codes for diverse console/platforms, such as PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows PC, which are incorporated into one product provided to the gamers through the cloud platform" (Gaming Market - Growth, Trends, Forecasts 2020 - 2025). The increasing demand for practitioners in the field necessitates the development of learning programmes that will equip individuals with the required knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools, and practical techniques to design, build and release functional games, which is a central aim of this programme. This mounting demand also requires learners equipped to enter the gaming industry in entry-level positions.

The Higher Certificate in Game Design and Development Practice will supply qualified learners to the expanding industry demand in the following entry-level positions:

• Junior Game Designer/Developer
• Junior Game Artist
• Junior Animator
• Junior 2D Artist
• Junior Level Designer
• Junior Game Tester
• Junior User Interface Designer.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 130:

Compulsory modules, Level 5, 130 Credits.

• Academic Literacy, 14 Credits.
• Game Design Theory, 12 Credits.
• Foundation of Game Engines, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Digital Arts, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Game Scripting, 12 Credits.
• Foundation of Game Engines, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Digital Arts, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Game Scripting, 12 Credits.
• Game Design and Development Project, 20 Credits.
• Professional Practice in Game Design and Development, 12 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Apply knowledge and select suitable strategies and techniques in a game design and development environment.
2. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of relevant programming language logic, syntax and use in the pipeline, mechanics, and development of a game.
3. Produce basic game-ready assets contextualised by design, modelling, texturing, animating, and rigging.
4. Demonstrate the fundamental ability to implement, produce and source 2D and 3D game assets for an industry-standard game engine.
5. Design and produce a functional game using an industry-standard game engine platform.
6. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and understanding of the game publishing marketplaces and related game format export.
7. Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and professionally with peers, and effectively manage time and resources to meet deadlines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Define and interpret fundamental theories and principles of game design and development.
• Identify and select the most suited approach to solve a game design and development problem.
• Define the psychology of gaming and its relation to game design and development.
• Apply the fundamental principles of game design and development to a given scenario.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply understanding of computer programming fundamentals.
• Apply understanding of the variations in programming languages and the reason C# language is utilised in game design and development.
• Apply basic programming skills for simple game function programming.
• Use knowledge of sourcing existing codes and employ them in a game engine.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Explain understanding of visual conceptual thinking through digital mediums.
• Plan basic storyboards and game-level maps.
• Replicate or modify a character and game asset through digital concept art.
• Create basic 2D level design art.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Utilise a fundamental understanding of the principles of animation.
• Explain fundamental knowledge and understanding of the rigging of game characters, animations, and loop motions.
• Apply fundamental animation principles to 2D game characters and levels.
• Apply fundamental animation principles to 3D game characters and levels.
• Apply fundamental skills of 3D modelling to produce 3D assets for utilisation in a game engine.
• Remodel basic game characters and assets.
• Employ 3D texturing ability for characters and assets.
• Design and bring a simple static image to life.
• Apply fundamental design skills for the addition of audio and sound to a game.
• Source royalty-free sound clips and soundscapes for games.
• Apply understanding of the ambient and emotional effects of sound in games.
• Generate and manipulate essential sound for a game application.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Utilise knowledge and understanding of varied game engine applications.
• Apply foundational knowledge and interpretation of game engines and the history of game design in the national and global context.
• Illustrate the functionality of 2D and 3D game design in a game engine application.
• Appropriately link and transfer game engine knowledge from one application to another.
• Utilise fundamental knowledge of designing and developing a 2D and 3D game for publication.
• Explain the principles of 2D and 3D games and the operation of the varied platforms.
• Replicate a basic 2D and 3D character design, interactive level design, and a working in-game 2D and 3D interactive menu design.
• Utilise knowledge and understanding of publishing a completed 2D and 3D level to a mobile platform.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Distinguish between the varied game publishing platforms.
• Utilise working knowledge on the addition of a game to a digital marketplace.
• Apply fundamental entrepreneurial capabilities by designing a game for profit.
• Utilise a fundamental understanding of marketing a game as a product through marketplace presentation and advertising.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Utilise a fundamental understanding of project planning and management.
• Apply knowledge to maintain professional standards of time management and understand the value of meeting deadlines in a commercial context.
• Utilise discipline-specific fundamental terminology and appropriate, professional language when communicating with other designers and team collaborators.
• Apply general communication skills required to contribute to peer reviews and to communicate with industry practitioners.