Application
This unit applies to concept artists, game designers, games programmers, animators and other personnel working in the game development industry.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Describe the Australian digital games industry and development companies | 1.1 Identify the large and small organisations in the Australian digital games industry 1.2 Identify recent projects undertaken by small and large organisations in the Australian digital games industry 1.3 Identify resources required for the production of a digital game in a small business environment 1.4 Describe the process of subcontracting various production elements to other small businesses |
2. Describe the structure of a game | 2.1 Identify the roles of engineers, artists, game designers, producers and additional staff 2.2 Describe the skills required to occupy each role in a game 2.3 Describe the interaction and collaboration between roles |
3. Investigate the process of starting an independent game development business | 3.1 Identify the major factors involved in starting a small business in the digital games industry 3.2 Identify the legal requirements and financial management of operating a small business 3.3 Identify the legal protection of the small business operator and the dissolution procedures for a small business |
4. Evaluate the role of the Australian government and other organisations related to digital game production | 4.1 Identify the role of the 4.2 Identify the influence of the Australian government related to game production and marketing 4.3 Discuss the effect of rating standards on digital game production and marketing |
5. Review copyright and intellectual property laws | 5.1 Discuss copyright and intellectual property laws related to digital game development 5.2 Undertake a review of the current state of national and international copyright pertaining to digital game assets 5.3 Incorporate the conventions of copyright related to the production of a digital game project |
Required Skills
Required skills
analytical skills to:
analyse documentation and images to the digital games environment
interpret briefs, work instructions, and technical and conceptual information
communication skills to:
check and confirm design requirements
collect, interpret and communicate in visual and written forms effectively for various audiences
communicate technical requirements related to structuring a game development team to supervisors and other team members
provide practical advice, support and feedback to colleagues and management
literacy and numeracy skills to:
document research
produce analytical documents
management skills to manage teams in order to effectively extract useful feedback
planning and organisational skills to:
meet project deadlines
organise equipment and resources to achieve required outcomes
organise own time to meet milestones
problem-solving skills to recognise and address potential quality issues when creating documentation
research skills to:
undertake practical, technical and desktop research into current business practice in the digital games environment
identify crucial components of a digital game development team
self-management skills to organise research tasks and document findings
teamwork skills to contribute to and work in a collaborative team
technical skills to:
use correct file formats and archiving procedures
resolve basic hardware, software and other technical issues associated with game production.
Required knowledge
computer game development, including specific terminology
current game-play hardware and software products
environmental impact and sustainability considerations
human resources required in the process of creating a game and their respective skills and technology requirements
OHS requirements for:
ergonomics
electrical safety
materials handling
physical hazards, including lifting
risk and critical-path management
technical constraints that hardware imposes on software development, graphics requirements, code development and creative visual design.
Evidence Required
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.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: demonstrate research skills to identify key roles for a game development team document skills related to business opportunities in the digital games industry undertake risk assessment and critical path planning conceptualise a business plan for an independent games development business. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: computer hardware, software, games engines and file storage internet access for research purposes copyright and intellectual property legislation OHS legislation and enterprise policy appropriate learning and assessment support when required modified equipment for people with special needs. |
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: review of work samples or simulated workplace activities verbal questioning or interview concerning aspects of game document development, including: industry standards for the game development process resources required for game development evaluation of game documentation related to game development activities. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
Range Statement
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.
Large and small organisations in the Australian digital games industry may include: | animation production companies digital effects companies games and gaming companies pre- and post-production houses television stations training and simulation training organisation. |
Engineers may include: | game-play programmers sound engineers tools programmers. |
Artists may include: | 3-D modellers animators concept artists lighting artists motion capture acting sound designers texture artists voice acting. |
Game designers may include: | game-play designers level designers writers. |
Additional staff may include: | administrative managers marketing technical support. |
Major factors involved in starting a small business may include: | business capital and types of finance business plans: 5 year or 10 year business structures: sole trader, partnerships, limited partnership, proprietary, and limited company contingency planning financial plans insurance, such as: personal equipment and contents public liability rationale for starting a small business registration of a business name selecting a business location setting-up procedures for small business. |
Legal requirements may include: | copyright and intellectual property legislation workplace legislation and requirements acknowledging the authorship of others who have collaborated in project activities avoiding any types of conflict of interest being honest about professional experience and capabilities maintaining a commitment to the development of innovative design work of the highest quality maintaining confidentiality of all client information observing safe and healthy working practices at all times and encouraging others to do so refusing any form of hidden compensation outside agreed contractual arrangements respecting the work of other designers in fair and open competition. |
Financial management may include: | budgets business confidentiality business ethics conflict of interest concerns financial control systems record keeping. |
Australian government may include: | Australian Taxation Office NSW Film and Television Office NSW Government Small Business Services NSW Office of Fair Trading. |
Marketing may include: | game trailers magazine publications online reviews television advertisements word of mouth. |
Digital game assets may include: | 2-D art 3-D characters 3-D environments audio concept art game designs game engine textures. |
Sectors
Game development
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.