Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment (Major in Games Design)
Behind the flashy visuals and slick programming of today's games lies the design work of the "visionaries". It is the core design elements of strategy and interaction, which hold the interest of the player and lead to the long-lasting success of a game title. Effective design is a culmination of many factors, yet those who excel in this field are well versed in all aspects of the game production process.
Qantm Colllege Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment (with a Major in Games Design), developed with the help of local industry, has been devised to give our students essential insight into all the areas critical to becoming leaders in the games design industry. Students will compliment design theory with extensive practical work in the areas of art, scripting, testing, prototyping and serious game development to name but a few.
The areas of study include: games concept design, games strategy, the psychology of game play, script writing, character development, 3D design and animation and game level design as well as highly necessary critical and analytical skills associated with skills in communications design, project management, business and copyright law; this ensure our students excel in the competitive, commercial environment.
Qualification
- Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment (with a Major in Games Design)
Sector
- Higher Education (Australian government accredited)
Duration
- 24 months full-time
Entry Requirements
- Completion of the Australian year 12 high school certificate (HSC) or its equivalent
and - Pass in Senior English
Available at
- Brisbane - QLD
- Sydney - NSW
- Melbourne - VIC
Career Options:
Career opportunities in this field range from writers to character and games designers; possible employment opportunities in the games industry include:
- Character Designer
- Composer
- Games Designer
- Script Writer
- Games Tester
- Concept Artist
- Level Designer
- Environment Artist
- Project Manager
- Quality Assurance
Course Content
1st Year Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment (Major in Games Design)
Trimester 1
DES101: Principles of Design
A foundation course in the application of design principles and elements that is fundamental to all design activities. Students will enhance their knowledge and skills to effectively apply these principles and elements as well as critically evaluate their design processes.
DES102: Communication Design
This course introduces the key elements of communication that facilitate effective communication on a personal and professional basis. Students will examine communication theories and apply these practically for effective communication particularly within the multimedia and interactive entertainment environments.
MED104: Fundamentals of Drawing
Students are introduced to the concepts and methodologies of drawing using a variety of media and concentrating on drawing from life, character design and construction.
INT101: Introduction to Interactive Entertainment
This course will provide students with a historical and critical approach to the evolution of interactive entertainment and provide a context for future interactive entertainment courses. It gives students a broad underpinning knowledge of interactive entertainment, the history and development of computer games, technologies behind game development and the cultural and business aspects of the industry. The research and analytical skills developed during this course will also give students the academic foundations needed for future theory based units.
Trimester 2
INT201: Narrative & Character Development
A course focused on the development of character and narrative flow for films and games. Students will study how narrative is structured in many media and explore the basic principles of character development and the strategies to implement characters into an entertainment narrative.
DES104: Design for Interactive Entertainment
Students are introduced to key theories, concepts and methodologies in design for interactive entertainment. They will critically analyse and evaluate a range of games and digital entertainment artifacts to develop an understanding of how to design interactive applications that are engaging, entertaining and targeted.
MED103: Principles of 3D Modelling
MED 103 is an introductory course in 3D modelling. In this course, students will be exposed to a wide range of tools used in 3D modelling, and will develop skills in the construction and manipulation of 3D models.
DEV102: Introduction to Programming
This course gives students an introduction to the fundamentals of programming for a computer application. Participants will gain an understanding of the structure and syntax of contemporary programming languages in order to develop basic programming skills. Students will examine the principles of modular design and procedures in programming as well as the use of varying data types and variables.
Trimester 3
INT202: Scripting & Storyboarding
This course will introduce students to the concepts and practices of developing and actualising scripts and storyboards for projects in many media. The use of scripts, storyboards and animatics for different purposes and outcomes will also be examined and applied.
DES202: Game Level Design
Students are introduced to key theories, concepts, and methodologies of designing effective levels for a variety of different game types. Students examine the processes and issues involved. Students will undertake and report on research they have done, as well as produce examples of level design.
GDS203: Psychology of Play
A video game is always more than the software. They are cyclical, continuous loops between the end user and the code. The continuity of this loop is dependant on satisfying the needs of the player, whilst at the same time compelling the player to continue this symbiotic relationship. However, “successful” games must precariously balance reward and punishment in such a way that the player feels empowered, yet at the same time, challenged. To manage this interplay of reward and punishment, designers must understand the end user, their needs and their fears and strike a balance between the two.
GDS206: Rapid Prototyping
Students are exposed to different methodologies of prototyping that aid them in seeing the “big picture” as to how their ideas fit into development processes. Skills in rapid prototyping will allow students to pitch original ideas to production staff and management and be able to quickly trade-off aspects of their design without affecting the overall artistic and technical requirements of the project.
2nd Year Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment (Major in Animation)
Trimester 4
NEM201: Managing New Media Projects
Examines a range of theories, concepts and methodologies for the effective project management of large-scale New Media projects. Students will be exposed to a range of industry standard tools available for the planning, tracking and overall management of such projects.
NEM204: New Media Business Compliance
With increasing global and local competition, new media businesses are required to meet various and complex standards of compliance. This course will inform students in the strategic areas of legal compliance and quality compliance. This course gives students the skills needed to:
- Understand the wide range of legal issues affecting the New Media industry including information security, copyright, intellectual property and application development.
- Critically review and evaluate New Media projects to ensure a quality product and a quality process. Testing and the implementation of standards will be addressed as well as quality assurance models.
GDS208: Authorship
Authorship is a means for students to examine how exemplary authors have achieved mood and pace within their game worlds based on the integration of various elements as well as assemblages of intangible assets in the secondary world design.
GDS209: Serious Games
Serious games facilitates the transfer of games development knowledge and techniques to into traditionally, non-game markets such as business, training, research & development, product design and marketing.
Trimester 5
IEP301: Interactive Entertainment Project Design & Pre-Production
Requires students to complete the design of a client-driven project in the field of entertainment. Incorporating the key elements of their field of study. Students are to maintain a record of their work and produce a report on and presentation of their design activities.
GDS204: Advanced Game Design
Students are given the methodological tools necessary to create individual design features, essential to successful game design. Students are given methodologies essential in the creation of game assets such as, movement, interaction, in game tools, weapons and vehicular characteristic design to name but a few. Advanced game design equips students with the skills necessary to fulfil specialist roles within the production process.
GDS207: Audio for Multimedia Projects
Audio design is an often overlooked and misunderstood aspect of interactive media project design despite the fact that correct implementation of audio is an integral aspect to any successful interactive media project. This unit provides students with an understanding of how to implement audio effectively in their own interactive media projects whilst at the same time introducing them to a vocabulary that enables effective communication between interactive media project developers and composers.
Trimester 6
Choice from Group A or Group B:
Group A
Elective Study - Students can choose 1 Elective.
IEP302: Interactive Entertainment Project
Requires students to complete the production of a client-driven entertainment project, incorporating the key elements from their field of study. Students are to maintain a record of their work and produce a report and presentation of their production outcomes.
NEM302: The Business of New Media
Ensures students gain an understanding of the concepts that underlie successful business and marketing strategies, with particular emphasis placed on professional practice and the financial and logistical requirements for establishing a small business in the new media industry.
Group B
IEP302: Interactive Entertainment Project
Requires students to complete the production of a client-driven entertainment project, incorporating the key elements from their field of study. Students are to maintain a record of their work and produce a report and presentation of their production outcomes.
NEM305: New Media Internship
Enables students to examine and analyse first-hand the business methodologies, communication models, production work-flows and design strategies used specifically in the New Media industry. Students will also gain an understanding of the concepts that underlie successful business and marketing strategies, with a particular emphasis placed on professional practice.
Note: entry into NEM305: New Media Internship is dependent upon industry placements and will be based on overall student performance.
