Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design games and document the process for developing them. Game design requires a high degree of collaboration between script writers, programmers and graphic designers. Low-end games can be constructed using interactive authoring tools, but for video game productions, designers need to work with high level programmers to ensure that designs are technically feasible. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
A lead designer typically applies the skills and knowledge described in this unit, which relate to generating and then working on a game idea until the mechanics and design of the game are fully documented. A lead designer communicates the vision for a game to the rest of the team, takes ideas submitted during design meetings and analyses them to ensure they fit the game's intended objectives. This vision is captured in the game design document. Depending on the size of an enterprise, a lead designer may supervise assistant or level designers and would typically report to a design or creative director. Skills associated with story-telling are covered in:
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Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Identify project requirements |
1. Confirm the objective and desired outcomes of a game proposal or brief in consultation with relevant personnel 2. Identify factors that may have an impact on how a game is designed 3. Clarify target audience to determine format and delivery platform of the game through discussion with relevant personnel |
Research games and generate ideas |
4. Select state of the art games from different genres to play as a source of inspiration 5. Search game literature for each game and identify the games' objectives 6. Generate range of ideas for game designs that are technically feasible, respond to the proposal or brief, and provide creative solutions to design issues 7. Discuss ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant personnel to ensure contribution of a range of ideas and creative solutions to initial concepts |
Select a game genre |
8. Identify and present a range of game genres to relevant personnel for consideration in terms of their characteristics, differences and ability to meet requirements of proposal or brief 9. Consult with relevant personnel to ensure that a full range of genres has been identified and sourced 10. Select the game genre that best meets the creative, technical and production requirements of proposal or brief |
Draft game design document |
11. Establish the game strategy outcomes 12. Use design techniques to develop the structure of a game ensuring that all elements, including style and game mechanics , are fully documented 13. Use a range of criteria to determine the scope of a prototype to be used in the development phase 14. Ensure that the prototype selected is capable of testing the effectiveness of the proposed game 15. Include a register of game assets in consultation with relevant personnel 16. Present draft game design document for discussion with and feedback from other team members |
Finalise game design document |
17. Re-evaluate game design objectives on the basis of feedback on the prototype and draft game design document 18. Discuss and confirm additional requirements or modifications to the game design with relevant personnel 19. Specify the game production specifications , including appropriate testing strategies 20. Write final game design document to reflect all additional requirements or modifications |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
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Required knowledge |
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Evidence of the following is essential:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment must ensure:
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Method of assessment |
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
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Guidance information for assessment |
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
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Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
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Relevant personnel may include: |
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Factors may include: |
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Delivery platforms may include: |
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State of the art games may include: |
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Game literature may include: |
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Game genres may include: |
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Design techniques may include: |
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Game mechanics may include: |
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Criteria may include whether the prototype: |
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Testing the effectiveness of the prototype may include: |
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Game assets may include: |
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Game design document may include: |
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Production specifications may include: |
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Testing strategies may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Competency field
Competency field |
Visual communication - digital content and imaging |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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