Assessor Resource

ICAGAM407A
Write scripts for interactive games

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to script writers, concept artists, storyboard artists, designers and other personnel working in the game development industry.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to write scripts and related content for interactive games.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

write scripts consistent with game design brief and client requirements

identify the contribution of script writing to narrative development and engaging game play

communicate and liaise with relevant personnel in the development of scripts to meet client and audience requirements and specified quality level.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

reference materials for script writing

internet access for research purposes

range of state of the art computer games across all platforms and genres

range of games consoles and hand-held game devices

computer hardware, software, games engines and file storage

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:

case studies

work samples or simulated workplace activities

observation

verbal questioning, such as an interview

written or interactive computer-based test or quiz

fault-finding exercises

reports or logbooks.

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.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

analytical skills to apply creative reasoning to determine the appropriate writing style consistent with the game design brief

communication skills to:

conduct focus testing

liaise with personnel, clients and target audience representatives to obtain feedback on scripts

design and writing skills to write:

background stories and level or mission stories consistent with the game design brief

character profiles, setting profiles and plot profiles

dialogue for scripts

script synopses

scripts for interactive games

planning and organisational skills to make timely and efficient modifications to scripts consistent with time lines and client requirements

technical skills to use file saving, storage and version incrementing protocols.

Required knowledge

budgeting and scheduling considerations for game development

components that drive script narrative and engage the target audience

copyright and intellectual property requirements in Australia and other markets for proposed game

focus testing processes and procedures

game genres and narrative structures

industry formats for game scripts

research methods for:

keeping abreast of competitors work in developing stories and scripts for games

obtaining factual information as a basis for character, location and narrative development

sourcing owners of copyright and intellectual property used in the development of games

script structures and character profiling for interactive games

script writing techniques and requirements for interactive games

seeking permission from copyright owners for use of protected elements in scripts

storyboarding techniques.

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.

Creative concepts may be derived from:

brainstorming

comics

current events

film and television scripts

focus group sessions

game design briefs

global trends

historic events

literature

political activities

re-interpretation of factual events

social phenomena.

Game genres may include:

adventure

alternative reality

ancient

casino

cyberpunk

educational

edutainment

fantasy

first person shooter

flight shooter

flight simulation

futuristic

god simulation

massively multi-player online game

massively multi-player online role-playing game

medieval

modern

multi-player

post-apocalyptic

puzzle

racing shooter

racing simulation

real-time strategy

role-playing game

science fiction

side-scrolling shooter

single player

sports

strategy, including:

action strategy

turn-based strategy

tactical combat.

Story components may include:

celebrity activities

character motivations

character profiles

comics and graphic novels

cultural aspects

cultural traditions

environmental aspects or locations of story

fairytales

film and television

historical events

novels and short stories

performing arts:

ballet

dance

opera

sporting activities

‘what if’ scenarios.

Background stories may include:

cinematics (cut scenes)

experiences, events and missions occurring prior to game action that have a bearing on the proposed game narrative

Script synopsis may consist of:

concise outlines of story narrative, including:

character story and motivation

climax or cliffhanger

key interactions along the way

objective of the story

plot profile

resolution - what is gained or lost

secondary plotlines

drama outline for cinematics (cut scenes)

executive summary

flowcharts

one-page narrative synopsis

one paragraph synopsis

one sentence synopsis

pitch version of synopsis.

Storyboards may include:

animatics (technical previsualisation)

computer-generated illustrations

existing comic strips, comic books or graphic novels

hand-drawn illustrations

illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of previsualising a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence, including website interactivity

photomatic (photographic storyboard)

thumbnails.

Relevant personnel may include:

animators

concept artists

game-play designers

graphic designers

instructional designers

modellers

motion capture technicians

other writers

producers

programmers

project manager

sound engineers

team members

technical director

other specialist or technical staff.

Feedback may involve:

seeking, accepting and responding to comment, critique and suggestions from:

clients

colleagues

target audience representatives.

Focus testing may include:

actively seeking suggestions to improve script and narrative components and provide engaging game play

presenting storyboards and components to colleagues for comment and feedback

presenting storyboards to representatives of the target audience for comment and feedback.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify creative concepts for script 
Identify game genres and story components for script development 
Develop script structure consistent with genre and game design brief 
Develop script components for main plot and background stories and level or mission stories consistent with genre and game design brief 
Write script synopsis 
Write draft script for main characters and interactions using structure and components previously determined according to the brief 
Write draft script for background stories and level/mission stories using previously determined structure and components according to the brief 
Develop character and narrator dialogue 
Initiate storyboards for draft scripts in required format 
Present synopsis and storyboards to client and relevant personnel for feedback 
Collate and respond to comments and feedback 
Revise scripts and storyboards consistent with feedback 
Undertake focus testing with intended audience 
Collate and respond to comments and feedback from focus testing 
Rewrite script synopsis where required 
Rewrite script or dialogue where required 
Initiate revised storyboards where required 
Present final script in agreed format to client and colleagues 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICAGAM407A - Write scripts for interactive games
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

ICAGAM407A - Write scripts for interactive games

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: