This document outlines an assignment for a games design qualification involving research into video games. The assignment consists of three tasks: 1) Producing a report and questionnaire researching a retro game; 2) Producing a report and questionnaire on a modern game; 3) Creating a presentation summarizing the research findings. For each task, the document provides grading criteria and specifies the evidence and blog posts required. The overall goal is for the student to research games, apply different research methods, and present their findings to demonstrate understanding of research techniques in the creative media industries.

1. Qualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – Games Design
Y1
Unit number and title L3 Unit 3 – Research Techniques for the Creative Media Industries.
Start date Wednesday 3rd September, 2014
Deadline Thursday 18th December, 2014
Assessor name Jordan Eastwood
Assignment title Unit 3 JE1 – Research Report for Game Studio.
The purpose of this assignment is to:
Unit 3 LO1: Understand the nature and purposes of research in the creative media industries.
Unit 3 LO2: Be able to apply a range of research methods and techniques.
Unit 3 LO3: Be able to present results of research.
Scenario
Looking at the Industry is important, designers come up with good ideas that are original and people research into that gameplay
mechanic to expand on its fun factor, Research is important and key to developing a Video Game, You need references for your
work, characters, environments, gameplay mechanics, enemies, boss fights, combat systems etc.
You started making your own Video Game and are willing to create a niche in the market, so you decide to create a Research
Report on a Video Game series but decided you wanted all primary research, so you decided to play one of the games in the
series to get an understanding on the games before you detail a report about it, when using your research a publishing company
has asked you to make it in-depth, marking terminology, aspects of the game you are looking at, what you could take from that
game and use in your own in terms of graphics, gameplay, mechanics and how did your research help you.
The publishing company has also asked to find out how financially viable that product has made, so a research report on
financial gains and losses for the game series chosen, a questionnaire would be the best bet to gain key research and find what
the public want in terms of the genre.
In the final requirement the Publisher has asked you to detail and present your findings, this presentation should detail the
game, about the game, findings, financial, conclusion etc. just feeding the knowledge to the publisher that you have researched
in fine detail about the game you are trying to create by using the research findings you have provided.
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2. Tasks Grading Criteria Mapping
Task 1
You must produce a report to research into a video game, the game should be from a
generation of NES,SNES etc. and a written detailed report about the game and its
history, additional to this a section in the report should include the history of the
product and financial review. Not just looking at the game but also the media
surrounded by the product as well.
A questionnaire will be created about the product and handed out to the public to fill in
and return to collect research data.
When evidence is produced it must be uploaded to your blog in the Task 1 section. The
title of this blog post is: Classic Game Research development for game studio.
Unit 3 P1/M1/D1
Unit 3 P2/M2/D2
Task 2
You must produce a report to research into a video game, the game should be from a
current generation and a written detailed report about the game and its history, and
additional to this a section in the report should include the history of the product and
financial review. Not just looking at the game but also the media surrounded by the
product as well.
A questionnaire will be created about the product and handed out to the public to fill in
and return to collect research data.
When evidence is produced it must be uploaded to your blog in the Task 2 section. The
title of this blog post is: Modern Game Research development for game studio.
Unit 3 P1/M1/D1
Unit 3 P2/M2/D2
Task 3
This task will require a presentation to be prepared notifying everything you have found
about the game, looking from the game in the past, modern era and analysing your
research techniques to get this information, looking at the game in a detailed form.
Slides will be added and presented as well in person and on the blog.
When evidence is produced it must be uploaded to your blog in the Task 3 section. The
title of this blog post is: Research Findings Presentation
Unit 3 P1/M1/D1
Unit 3 P3/M3/D3
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose
Assessor Jordan Eastwood
Signature Date:
Internal verifier
Signature Date:
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3. Unit 3 Research Techniques for the Creative Media Industries
P1: Describe the nature and
purposes of research in the
creative media industries with
some appropriate use of subject
terminology
[IE]
M1: explain the nature and
purposes of research in the
creative media industries with
detailed illustrative examples
and with generally correct use of
subject terminology
D1: comprehensively explain the
Nature and purposes of research
in the creative media industries
with elucidated examples and
consistently using subject
terminology correctly
P2: apply research methods and
techniques with some assistance
[IE]
M2: apply research methods and
techniques competently with only
occasional assistance
D2: apply research methods and
techniques to near-professional
standards working independently
to professional expectations
P3: present results of research M3: present results of research
competently
D3: present results of research to
near-professional standards.
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