Assignment brief

Qualification 90 Credit Diploma in Creative Media Production - Games Design

Unit number and title Unit 78 – Digital Graphics for Computer Games - partial

Assessor name Harry Arnold

Date issued 16/11/2015Hand in deadline 11/12/2015

Assignment title HA2 – Mekka Hornet Rebuild and PromotionThe purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that the learner:

• Be able to generate concept art ideas for computer game graphics• Be able to create digital graphics for a computer game following industry practice

ScenarioEGI, Eccles Games Incubator has developed a mechanic for a top-down shooter and want to trial, test and release variations of the game in the new year. During the delivery of Unit 70 – Computer Game Engines, you will build your own top-down shooter from a template, but using your own artwork and sound assets.

For this unit and assignment you will conceive, design and create the environment, player, enemies and boss characters for the game. The first stage will involve you producing print-ready vector artwork that you will apply to promotional and marketing materials. The second stage will involve you producing screen-ready raster pixel art optimised for use within the 2D game engine.

In addition to the final artwork, EGI are very interested in how you have made the work, your design process.

This is your chance to apply the software skills you have learnt to date. You will be using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to produce both raster and vector artwork, alongside other pixel editors.

Task 1 - Schedule

Complete a schedule for the project using the supplied template. This burn-down chart will help you allocate enough time for each task and hit the deadline. Your schedule will need to be reviewed and updated at least once per week.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2

Task 2 – Game Evaluation

Play the Mekka Hornet game level. Review its inspiration and evaluate its effectiveness.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2

Task 3 – Inspiration Research

Research SHMUPs and look for inspiration from other games, but also TV, film, literature, graphic novels, current affairs etc. This document will give you guidance as to the style of your game assets. Use whichever software packages suit you best, BUT cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2

Task 4 – Ideas Generation

Produce an ideas map that explores the name, environment, player, enemies and boss characters for the game.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2

Task 5 – Planning

Write up a brief but clear synopsis of your game. Treat this as if you are producing the blurb that appears within a trailer. Illustrate this with imagery if it helps to communicate your idea, BUT cite any sources you have used in your research.

Produce a design pack to help in the production your artwork. This will include any reference imagery you may have found (remember to cite sources) or created yourself, either hand-drawn or photographed.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2

Task 6 – Vector Production

Based on your planning, use Adobe Photoshop to create raster mock-ups of your game’s typelogo, player and boss character. The aspect ratio you use is for you to choose, but make sure that the resolution of your imagery is clear enough to work from when tracing.

Following this, trace your raster artwork of the game’s typelogo, player and boss character using Adobe Illustrator.

Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your blog posts. This production log will need to include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software and any other processes you are using.

Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3

Task 7 – Vector Presentation

Present your completed vector artwork as a series of four promotional T-shirts. Publish these to your blog in Jpeg format and upload vector PDF versions to Moodle.

Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your blog posts. This production log will need to include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software and any other processes you are using.

Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3

Task 8 – Pixel Production

Re-work and simplify your vector artwork into pixel artwork assets using the supplied templates from the Mekka Hornet prototype. You may choose to use a range of software applications to create your assets.

Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your blog posts. This production log will need to include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software and any other processes you are using.

Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3

Task 9 – Pixel Presentation

Present your completed pixel artwork assets on your blog in Jpeg format and upload the original Png versions to Moodle as a compressed Zipped folder.

Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your blog posts. This production log will need to include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software and any other processes you are using.

Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. This provides evidence for Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3

Task 10 – Review

Write an evaluation of your project. Use your plan, production log and blog posts to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design process. This is best carried out by producing a conclusion to the design process evidenced in your blog. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has achieved the aim of the project.

Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3

Evidence checklist Tick

Schedule

Mekka Hornet Game Evaluation

Inspiration Research

Ideas Generation

Game Synopsis and Design Pack

Raster Artwork Mockups

Vector Artwork Tracings

Four Promotional T-shirts (including PDF upload)

Pixel Artwork Creation

Pixel Artwork Presentation (including Png upload)

Review