Higher Certificate in Game Design and Production

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Game Design and Production is to provide learners with foundational competencies that focuses on game design, a specific part of the game production process, while covering all other relevant areas that relate to the production of games, inter alia planning and managing productions, asset creation, computer programming, digital game construction, organising finances and distribution and marketing. In addition to the design part of a game production, the focus will also be on the digital gaming industry, with a practical work component focusing on the latter. Learners are introduced to the game design and development industry, and exposed to the associated technology and creative and innovative thinking, creative research and development, to enable them to define, refine and enhance these skills and abilities. A practical project in the second semester requires the creative application of all knowledge and skills gained in the qualification to create a game.

The Higher Certificate in 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. The structure and content of the qualification will enable graduates to emerge fully productive as entry-level game designers and producers. The qualification incorporates game design, scripting, production and storyboarding theory, underpinned by a fair amount of practical work. The qualification develops creative research and development capabilities, and encourages learners to define, refine and enhance their creative and technological skills and abilities.

It further aims to also establish the following graduate abilities and attributes

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

Rationale

The gaming industry is growing rapidly in South Africa (SA). Interactive Entertainment South Africa (IESA), in its annual SA gaming industry surveys, reported 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 Higher Certificate in Game Design and Production has been structured to develop knowledge and competence in game design and production for learners aspiring to enter into careers in this industry. The curriculum has been contextualised as a foundational qualification, aiming to contribute to the growth, quality, competitiveness of game production on the African continent and insight into employment opportunities with the SA gaming industry.

This qualification provides an appropriate balance between academic rigour and practical skills, exposing learners to academic and practical skills with a strong focus on technology and creativity generally expected and required in this industry. Graduates will be able to gain employment in the industry and will also be able to access further studies at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6 or may apply for entry into a degree qualification in relevant fields. Career opportunities for graduates 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 requirements for this qualification are

• A Senior Certificate (SC) without endorsement and with an appropriate achievement in English (as the language of teaching and learning or first additional language).

Or

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate Studies with an appropriate achievement in English (as the language of teaching and learning or first additional language).

Or

• An National Certificate (NC) (Vocational), Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate Studies with an appropriate achievement in English, Mathematics/Mathematics Literacy, Life Orientation and in four vocational subjects.

Or

• Candidates of the age of 23 with three years' work experience and a proven ability relating to the qualification as well as adequate communicative skills.

1. Demonstrate informed knowledge and applied understanding of the principles and theories of game design and production in the development of games and media elements.
2. Design and produce game assets for use in game production according to industry standards and practices.
3. Produce scripting code for the use in games in accordance with industry preferred coding structures and standards.
4. Demonstrate the ability to conceptualise and construct a functional game using a gaming platform and industry standard software tools.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate the application of the principles of game theory.
• Demonstrate the application of various aspects of game design.
• Explain the impact of technological development on the type and nature of digital games in modern society.
• Explain the types and genres (both pure genres, sub-genres, and crossovers) of past and present game types.
• Compare the types of past and present gaming platforms in terms of scope and abilities.
• Demonstrate an applied understanding of story lines in games.
• Explain the social interaction experienced through games, as well as the categorisation of games in the context of given examples.
• Demonstrate the application of a variety of input and output methods in gaming.
• Demonstrate the application of common mathematical functions used in coding.
• Apply probability principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate the application of principles of visual communication and design theory in relation to two-dimensional digital imaging.
• Demonstrate the application of principles of visual communication and design theory in relation to three-dimensional digital imaging is demonstrated.
• Demonstrate the application of digital two-dimensional images as a communications medium in the creative media industry is demonstrated.
• Design and optimise digital assets for cross-media delivery.
• Demonstrate the application of the principles of digital media management.
• Demonstrate appropriate graphic elements are designed to be used in the construction of user interfaces (UIs).
• Demonstrate the application of the principles of animation in 2D graphic elements.
• Demonstrate the application of the principles of animation in 3D graphic elements.
• Implement and use an industry standard game development platform.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate the application of the principles of computer architecture, software and computer programming languages.
• Explain and apply the syntax of a programming language in scripting.
• Apply commonly used algorithms effectively in coding.
• Use the principles used in modern object-oriented programming.
• Apply logic to break down a process into a series of actions.
• Demonstrate the application of- and implementation of an algorithm.
• Generate and decode code.
• Apply code in industry standard gaming software.
• Contextualise and analyse code errors.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Incorporate various elements, including 2Dimensional (2D) and 3D graphic and sound assets, in an industry standard game creation platform.
• Create and use prefabricated digital assets effectively in game projects.
• Explain the fundamental differences between 2D or 3D game creation.
• Use graphics and industry standard 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 out as a logical step-by-step process.
• Contextualise 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 strict guidelines.
• Formally and informally communicate specialist technical and creative ideas and perspectives in the game development discipline.
• Translate a game project from the 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 continuous 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 objectives in the qualification.

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.