The assignment brief tasks the student with analyzing sound design in computer games, creating a sample sound library for different game genres using field recordings and VST plugins, and providing an analysis of how sound design enhances games. The student must complete two tasks - an analysis of sound design in examples and the creation of sound samples for genres like action, sci-fi, retro, fantasy and puzzle games. The samples and analysis will be graded based on criteria for the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production units for Sound for Computer Games and Communication Skills.

1. Assignment brief
Qualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – GAMES DESIGN
Unit number and title L3 Unit 73 Sound for Computer Games – Partial
L3 Unit 2 Communication Skills for Creative Media Production - Partial
Start date 31/01/2012
Deadline 30/03/2012
Assessor name Iain Goodyear
Assignment title CREATING A SAMPLE LIBRARY
The purpose of this assignment is to:
Develop your ability to analyse and discuss the use of sound and music in computer games.
Use field recording and computer audio synthesis to create a sound sample library for use in computer games.
Scenario
Sound is an essential part of the computer game experience. Forming 50% of our sensory experience, and good game soundtrack
can enhance our pleasure of a computer game and help bridge the ever decreasing gap between games and more traditional
forms of storytelling such as films.
Reverb Studios specialise in soundtrack production for computer games and are seeking to add to their already comprehensive
sound libraries. Reverb Studios sound libraries have been used to soundtrack a large variety of games produced over the last
decade, most recently Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.
You are tasked with producing individual sound samples and short musical compositions for games of the following genre:
Action
Science Fiction
Retro/Classic
Fantasy
Puzzle
It is expected that you will produce sound samples through a combination of computer VST generated audio and live sound
recordings that have been manipulated and altered through VST effects.
All samples that you produce will be uploaded to a centrally stored sample library and must be labelled according to producer
initials and game genre.
In addition to producing your samples and musical compositions, you must provide analysis of how sound design enhances
computer games. For this, you will need to provide audio visual examples that should be embedded in your Unit 73 blog and
accompanied with word processed OR voice recorded analysis. This analysis should comment on:
1. How you think the sound in your chosen example has been produced (production techniques)
2. What post-production techniques have been used to create the soundtrack (using subject specific terminology)
3. How the sound design of your chosen examples might enhance the gaming experience for audiences
Good Luck!
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2. Tasks Grading Criteria Mapping
Task 1
Analyse the use of sound design in computer games. Unit 73 P1/M1/D1
Using the analysis prompts outlined in the assignment brief scenario, you must gather and embed Unit 73 P2/M2/D2
audio visual examples of sound design in computer games specific to the game genres specified in the Unit 2 P2/M2/D2
assignment scenario.
Analysis of the sound design can be word processed OR voice recorded and must be included OR
embedded (if voice recorded) underneath your chosen example.
All blog posts you produce MUST include the same generic title of Creating a Sample Library
Assignment Task 1: followed by the title of the blog post.
*All blog posts for this task must be linked to your unit 73 criteria 1 blog label.
Task 2
Produce individual sound samples and short musical compositions for games of the following genre: Unit 73 P3/M3/D3
Action
Science Fiction
Retro/Classic
Fantasy
Puzzle
Your sound samples must be produced using a combination of VST computer plug-ins, audio effects
processors and live audio recordings. Your samples must be uploaded to your unit 73 blog using the
generic title of Creating a Sample Library Assignment Task 2: followed by your initials, the
relevant game genre and a sample type description
For example: Creating a Sample Library Assignment Task 2: IG Retro Level Complete
*All blog posts for this task must be linked to your unit 73 criteria 3 blog label.
Sources of information
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose
Iain Goodyear
Date 31/01/2012
Date
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3. Unit 73 Sound for computer games
P1 describe uses of sound M1 explain use of sound D1 comprehensively explain use
and music in games using and music in games with of sound and music in games
some subject terminology reference to detailed with elucidated examples
appropriately illustrative examples and and consistently using subject
with generally correct use of terminology correctly
subject terminology
P2 describe methods and M2 explain methods and D2 comprehensively explain
principles of sound design principles of sound design and methods and principles of
and production using production with reference to sound design and production
some subject terminology detailed illustrative examples with elucidated examples
appropriately and with generally correct and consistently using subject
use of subject terminology terminology correctly
P3 create sound assets for a M3 create sound assets for a D3 create sound assets for a
computer game following computer game working to computer game working to a
industry practice, working a good technical standard technical quality that reflects
within appropriate following industry practice, near-professional standards
conventions and with some showing some imagination following industry practice,
assistance and with only occasional showing creativity and flair
[CT; SM] assistance and working independently
to professional expectations
P4 apply sound assets to a M4 apply sound assets to a D4 apply sound assets to a
computer game following computer game working to computer game working to a
industry practice, working a good technical standard technical quality that reflects
within appropriate following industry practice, near-professional standards
conventions and with some showing some imagination following industry practice,
assistance. and with only occasional showing creativity and flair
[CT; RL] assistance. and working independently
to professional expectations.
Unit 2 Communication Skills for Creative Media Production (Level 3)
P1: use appropriate techniques to M1: use appropriate techniques to D1: use appropriate techniques to
extract relevant information from extract information from written extract comprehensive information
written sources sources with some precision from written sources
P2: present a media production M2: present a structured and D2: present a well-structured and
report which conveys relevant detailed media production substantial media production report
information [IE] report which conveys which conveys information with
information and explains precise exemplification and justifies
conclusions with clarity conclusions with supporting
arguments
P3: review reports to make changes M3: review reports to make D3: review reports to make
with occasional beneficial effects changes with frequent changes with consistently
[RL] beneficial effects beneficial effects
P4: deploy and manage appropriate M4: deploy and manage D4: deploy and manage
technology to pitch a media technology to pitch a media technology to pitch a media
production proposal [SM] production proposal effectively and production proposal with
with some creativity and flair and to
imagination near-professional standards
P5: employ appropriate forms of M5: employ forms of address in a D5: employ forms of address in a
address in a media production pitch media production pitch media production pitch with flair to
to communicate ideas [CT] to communicate ideas communicate ideas with impact
effectively
:PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal,
learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate
effective application of the referenced elements of the skills.
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