Capstone Project

Introduction to Game Design (2D)

In this section, we will cover:

1. Overview
2. Requirements
3. Capstone criteria
4. Tips
5. Risks and challenges

Lesson summary
This lesson will give students an overview of the capstone project for this course. At the end of this
lesson, students should be able to:

• Understand the requirements and criteria

• Consider the risks and challenges of the project.

Related learning activities / Practical skills

Increase your understanding and contribute to the capstone project by completing the learning
activities:

- Capstone project activity 1: Reverse brief, time, and project risks and challenges
1. Overview
This project will allow the students to demonstrate their developing skills in designing, coding and
building a 2D game in Unity using C#. The task is to create a game that showcases the skills
acquired throughout the course. Focus on creativity and overall user experience of the game
design, ensuring you pay attention to the requirements and criteria which are outlined below.

2. Requirements

1) Game design
• Clearly defined theme, objective and target audience for the game
• Create a compelling storyline and motive that encompasses the key objective if the
game
• Design a level of gameplay that progressively increases in difficulty, challenging the
player
• Include a variety of obstacle types, like enemies, no-go areas, moving platforms,
etc.

2) Game mechanics and controls

• Develop player movement mechanics, including running, jumping and potentially
other movements as explored during the course of your study
• Implement gravity and collision detection to ensure accurate interactions between
characters and platforms
• Include enemy behaviour and AI (if applicable)
• Create power-ups or collectibles that enhance the player’s abilities or score
• Ensure responsive and intuitive controls for smooth gameplay experience.

3) Level design
• Design a level of gameplay that progressively increases in difficulty, challenging the
player
• Design level that encourages exploration, discovery and strategic thinking
• Incorporate checkpoints or save points to allow player to progress through the level
and return to the point if life has been lost.

4) Game assets
• Game visuals including background, foreground and player sprite (level design
elements can be sourced from free asset resources)

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CRICOS provider number: 00122A | RTO Code: 3046
 • Credit to assets original creators must be present on the Start screen of the game,
clearly labelling who created the game assets.

5) Sound design / SFX

• Appropriate background music and sound effects that enhance the gameplay
experience
• All sound can be sourced from free asset resources
• Credit for sound must be presented on the Start screen of the game clearly labelling
who created the audio.

6) User interface (UI)

• Design an intuitive and visually appealing Start screen user interface, including
menus, instructions, clear game objective and listing all credits for game assets and
audio.
• Ensure Win and Loss UI screens visually display the successful or not successful
completion of the level and display all relevant game data, for example lives left,
score, etc. These screens should have the ability to play again or exit the game.
• In-game UI should have clear visual feedback to communicate game progress such
as score updates, lives, collection, health, level completion, etc.

7) Testing and debugging

• Thoroughly test your game for bugs, glitches and any gameplay issues
• Identify and resolve any issues to ensure a smooth and error-free gameplay
experience.

8) Documentation and presentation

• Create written documentation for your game that encapsulates the game design
document and development process
• Prepare a presentation to showcase and explain your game, highlighting its key
features and design choices.

9) Final submission
• Submit a playable build of 2D game
• Provide written documentation and presentation materials as specified
• Provide game files as required by assessor
• Present game to peer group.

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CRICOS provider number: 00122A | RTO Code: 3046
Submission
Students will present their finalised game to peers alongside submitting their game documentation
and build files.

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CRICOS provider number: 00122A | RTO Code: 3046
3. Capstone criteria

Assessment Criteria Description

Clearly defined theme, objective and target audience.

Game Concept and
Compelling storyline or background, if applicable.
Design
Well-designed levels with increasing difficulty.
Variety of platform types.
Appropriate visual style and art direction of assets selection.
Smooth and responsive player movement mechanics.
Game Mechanics and
Accurate collision detection and gravity.
Controls
Enemy behaviour and AI, if applicable.
Power-ups or collectibles implementation.
Intuitive and user-friendly controls.
Level design with increasing difficulty.
Level Design
Well-balanced and challenging obstacles.
Encourages exploration and strategic thinking.
Checkpoints or save points for progression.
Selected assets work well with story and theme of game and provide a
Game Assets
consistent visual for the game.
Selected assets are appropriately credited.
Selected assets have been well-managed.
Appropriate background music and sound effects.
Sound Design / SFX
Visually appealing graphics and art style.
Consistency in audio elements throughout the game.
Intuitive and visually appealing UI, including menus and score displays.
User interface (UI)
Clear instructions or tutorials for players.
Start, Win and Loss screen have common consistency in UI design.
Visual and audio feedback for game progress.
Thorough testing for bugs, glitches and gameplay issues.
Testing and debugging
Effective identification, documentation and resolution of issues.
Comprehensive written documentation, including game design document and
Documentation and
development process overview.
presentation
Clear and engaging presentation showcasing key features and design
choices.
Playable build of the 2D platform game.
Final Submission
Inclusion of all necessary assets and files.
Submission of written documentation and presentation materials as specified.

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CRICOS provider number: 00122A | RTO Code: 3046
4. Tips
• Complete all Learning Activities
The learning activities throughout the course are designed for you to develop content that
goes towards your capstone project.
By completing the learning activity, you can get progressive feedback from your assessor.
• Complete the video tutorial learning
There are series of video tutorials that guide you through the how use game engine to
create a basic 2D game.
By completing these tutorials you will have a basic shell of a game you can then adapt for
your capstone project.
• Enjoy your learning
You may face some challenges, but that is OK.
Remember you need to do things a few time over in order to get better at them.

5. Risks and challenges

Any new project will have its risks and challenges. It is important to note these now, so you can
develop some management strategies and know when it is important to ask for help from your
mentors.

Technical challenges
Learning new software and code will mean you will face several technical challenges:
• Learning curve: Be patient with yourself, embrace errors and ask for help when you need it.
• Bugs and issues: One of the most important skills to develop. You can only really develop a
deeper understanding of software and code if you make mistakes and have to work on your
problem-solving skills.

Time management
Good time management skills will allow you to pace out the learning and complete the learning
activities and capstone project. Leaving everything to the end of the course and completing it in a
rush is not ideal and it will not leave you with a solid understanding of game design and coding.
• Underestimating time: Ensure that you give yourself a good amount of time to dedicate to
your learning.
• Balancing responsibilities: When studying, it is always tricky to balance, work, study and a
personal life. Using calendars and blocking out times for when you will work, study and play
can help ensure a work-life balance.

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CRICOS provider number: 00122A | RTO Code: 3046
Scope and feature creep
For your capstone project, keep your concept realistic and feasible. Don’t bite off more than you
can chew! Remember that this is your first game – it should be a vehicle for learning, not launching
your indie game career.

Understanding the technical requirements and limitations of the project is key:

• Asset creation and design
o Artistic skills: You might not have artistic skills, but that’s ok – you can use free
assets. If you do have artistic skills, be careful you don’t spend too much time on
asset creation. Remember, this course is about game design and development.
Keep your focus on this.
o Level design: The level design can be a tricky, but getting feedback on your design
will speed up the time it takes to develop your ideas.
• Motivation and perseverance
o Some sections of the course might not be of interest to you personally. That’s ok!
But, keep in mind the content has been created by subject matter experts who
believe this is the base understanding of knowledge you should have before you
think about a career in the games industry.
o Maintaining interest: Try using different learning methods. For example, take notes
on paper to help keep your attention on the subject matter.
o Problem-solving: Developing strong problem-solving skills is critical. If you are
struggling, ask for help.
• Playtesting and feedback
o Take it from me: first time game design students NEVER leave enough time to
playtest and always playtest too late. Play testing can really help speed up the
process at any stage, as you will get solid feedback that will allow you to finalise
decisions.
o Reserve enough time: Schedule playtesting into your study. We will do a timeline for
our project, so make sure you stick to your playtesting schedule.
o Don’t limit the feedback you get: Doing playtesting just because you are told to will
mean you won’t benefit from the experience. Make sure you show at least 3 people
your game. You will develop a better and stronger game because of playtesting.

Capstone project activity 1: Reverse brief, time

and project risks and challenges

This has been developed as interactive content within

your course. Please head to your course site to
complete the activity.

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CRICOS provider number: 00122A | RTO Code: 3046