Computer Game Design And Development Fundamentals Training

Objectives:
• Define key terms in game design and development
• Explain the role of a game designer and developer
• Identify the stages of the game development lifecycle
• Describe the South African and global game industry landscape
• Recognise ethical considerations in game creation

Topics:
• What is a game? Core definitions and elements
• Overview of the game development process and team roles
• History and evolution of video games
• The South African game development sector and opportunities
• Introduction to SAQA and unit standard 117630
• Ethical frameworks: representation, addiction, and content
• Career pathways in game design and development

Objectives:
• Analyse and apply fundamental game design principles
• Differentiate between game mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics (MDA)
• Identify core player motivations and types
• Construct simple game loops and feedback systems
• Evaluate games using established design frameworks

Topics:
• The elemental tetrad: Mechanics, Story, Aesthetics, Technology
• The MDA framework: Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics
• Player psychology: Bartle's Player Types and motivation
• Core game loops and progression systems
• Challenge, skill, and flow theory
• Rules, goals, and conflict in game design
• Introduction to balancing and fairness

Objectives:
• Generate and refine original game concepts
• Develop a comprehensive game design document (GDD)
• Apply ideation techniques like brainstorming and mind mapping
• Create basic narrative structures and world-building elements
• Plan a project scope, timeline, and resource requirements

Topics:
• Ideation techniques and creative processes
• Crafting the core concept: premise, hook, and unique selling point (USP)
• Components of a Game Design Document (GDD)
• Introduction to narrative design: story, character, and setting
• World-building fundamentals
• Defining project scope, milestones, and deliverables
• Introduction to risk assessment and mitigation in pre-production

Objectives:
• Design and document core game mechanics and systems
• Differentiate between core and secondary mechanics
• Create a paper or digital prototype of a game concept
• Test and iterate on a prototype based on initial feedback
• Apply systems thinking to game design

Topics:
• Defining and categorising game mechanics (e.g., movement, combat, economy)
• Designing rule sets and win/loss conditions
• Introduction to systems design and emergent gameplay
• The role and methods of prototyping (paper, digital, greybox)
• Playtesting fundamentals: organising sessions and gathering feedback
• Iterative design: the build-measure-learn loop
• Introduction to game balancing techniques

Objectives:
• Identify the key roles of art and audio in player experience
• Describe core principles of 2D and 3D game art creation
• Understand basic audio concepts for games (SFX, music, voice)
• Evaluate how aesthetic style supports game design and narrative
• Recognise the technical constraints and pipelines for game assets

Topics:
• The role of visual design: UI, UX, and environment art
• Art styles and their impact on tone and audience
• Basic 2D/3D art concepts: sprites, models, textures, animation
• Introduction to game audio: sound effects, music, and voice-over
• The art and audio pipeline: from concept to implementation
• Technical constraints: polygon counts, texture resolution, file formats
• Tools overview: introduction to common art and audio software

Objectives:
• Explain the role of programming in game development
• Identify core programming concepts relevant to games
• Navigate a basic game engine interface
• Differentiate between common game engine architectures
• Describe the game development technical pipeline

Topics:
• What is game programming? Languages and paradigms
• Core concepts: variables, logic, loops, and functions
• Introduction to object-oriented programming for games
• Overview of game engines: purpose and common features
• Hands-on exploration of a beginner-friendly engine interface (e.g., Godot, Unity basics)
• The game object component model
• Introduction to scripting for game events and behaviours
• Version control basics for collaboration

Objectives:
• Apply level design principles to create engaging player spaces
• Design for pacing, difficulty curves, and player guidance
• Implement core UX principles for intuitive game interfaces
• Create a level layout or map for a specified game concept
• Analyse how level design supports narrative and mechanics

Topics:
• Principles of level design: layout, flow, and pacing
• Teaching through level design: player onboarding and tutorial design
• Designing challenges, rewards, and difficulty progression
• User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design for games
• Signposting, lighting, and audio cues for player guidance
• Tools for level design: from paper maps to engine editors
• Playtesting for level design and UX

Objectives:
• Describe the production phase of game development
• Apply agile or iterative project management methodologies
• Execute basic quality assurance (QA) and playtesting procedures
• Identify and categorise different types of bugs
• Create and manage a simple task list or bug report

Topics:
• The production phase: asset creation, integration, and programming
• Project management for small teams: Agile/Scrum basics
• Quality Assurance (QA) fundamentals: test plans and cases
• Types of bugs: critical, major, minor
• Playtesting methodologies: alpha, beta, focus groups
• Bug reporting and tracking systems
• Introduction to optimisation and performance testing

Objectives:
• Compare different game monetisation models and strategies
• Develop a basic marketing plan for a game concept
• Identify key legal and business considerations for game developers
• Plan for post-launch support and community management
• Understand the basics of publishing and distribution platforms

Topics:
• Monetisation models: premium, free-to-play (F2P), subscriptions, DLC
• Marketing fundamentals: identifying target audience, creating trailers, press kits
• Business models and legal basics: intellectual property, contracts, ratings (e.g., PEGI, SA ratings)
• Post-launch strategies: updates, patches, and downloadable content (DLC)
• Community management and building player engagement
• Distribution platforms: Steam, consoles, mobile app stores
• Introduction to analytics and key performance indicators (KPIs)

Objectives:
• Synthesise course concepts into a final integrated project plan
• Develop a personal portfolio showcasing game design skills
• Prepare for a career in the South African game industry
• Present a game concept pitch effectively
• Reflect on ethical practice and continuous professional development

Topics:
• Final project integration: reviewing a complete GDD for a simple game
• Portfolio development: what to include (concepts, documents, prototypes)
• Crafting an effective CV and online presence for game developers
• Pitching a game concept: structure, delivery, and handling feedback
• Networking and professional bodies in South Africa (e.g., Make Games SA)
• Ethical reflection and social responsibility in game development
• Pathways for further learning and SAQA-aligned qualifications
• Course review and assessment preparation for unit standard 117630