ICAGAM415A
Develop simple environments for 3-D games

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop simple environments for different genres of games.

Application

This unit applies to concept artists, matte painters, game designers, animators and other personnel working in the game development industry.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Research and analyse brief requirements

1.1 Interpret brief and clarify design requirements in consultation with client

1.2 Identify design and technical constraints and innovative features of the environments

1.3 Identify software, media and file formats for digital imagery

1.4 Identify production workflow requirements and develop production pipeline to meet client requirements

2. Design and visualise environment

2.1 Develop concept illustration for environment consistent with game genre

2.2 Conduct focus testing of concept illustration with client and representatives of target market audience

2.3 Submit to client for approval and feedback

2.4 Make adjustments to concept illustration based on comment and feedback

3. Verify and validate environment

3.1 Create environment prototype according to design brief, guidelines and feedback on concept illustration

3.2 Conduct focus testing and seek recommendations for the further enhancement of the environment prototype documented

3.3 Make adjustments to environment prototype based on comment and feedback

3.4 Submit to client for approval and feedback

4. Develop and evolve environment

4.1 Further enhance environment prototype based on the recommendations generated from focus testing

4.2 Submit to client for approval and feedback

4.3 Finalise environment design

4.4 Save and archive files in agreed formats and repository

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to evaluate technical requirements of environment design against resources and timeframes

communication skills to liaise with project team and clients

initiative and enterprise skills to:

devise efficient and innovative approaches to texturing and shading

provide practical support and give feedback to colleagues and management

literacy skills to read technical documents and specifications

planning and organisational skills to manage time and resources

technical skills to:

collect, interpret and communicate focus testing results objectively and effectively

create environment artwork within style and quality guidelines

design and run focus testing

exercise a high level of creative ingenuity in environment design and innovation

manage environment evolution and change with effective processes and procedures to mitigate risk and improve environment quality

use related computer graphics applications

visual research skills to source reference materials for the creation of unique environments.

Required knowledge

budgeting and scheduling considerations for environment creation in games, with consideration given to human resources

different environment requirements for different genres of game

how to interpret environment design briefs

role and position of interactive environments in commercial game development, game duration and quality

processes and procedures to facilitate quality and innovation of environment development

prototyping tools and techniques for commercial environment development in games

research methods used to stay abreast of the latest developments in game environment 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:

use 2-D and 3-D software applications to develop and realise characters for games

develop environment designs that comply with games design brief and client requirements

develop environment designs that are innovative and competitive with characters in games currently in the marketplace

test responses to environment designs for aesthetic suitability with intended audience and act on feedback.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

computer hardware and software

input device, such as stylist tablet, keyboard and mouse

output device, such as monitor, TV, printer and speakers

game design document or specifications

style shots

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:

discussion and written report of the nominated techniques applied to environment design and realisation

discussion with learner and observation of the integration of environment design and evolution into the overall production pipeline

verbal questioning regarding reasons for use of particular hardware and software options

project or work activities that show research and reference sourcing of material to inform environment design

written and verbal reports or documentation showing research and production plan

review of portfolios of evidence

completed textured, shaded and rendered exemplars.

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.

Brief may include:

background stories

descriptions of desired look and feel, i.e. aesthetic style

game design document

game overview, including list of special features and selling points

game walkthroughs

illustrations or graphics that enhance the comprehension of the document

intended audience

list of buildings

list of levels or missions

list of non-player and player characters

list of vehicles

references to existing bodies of graphical user interface (GUI) artwork and styles

references to existing game environments

storyboards

verbal instructions

written instructions.

Client may include:

3-D artists

animators

art directors

designers

external clients

modellers

technical directors.

Design and technical constraints may include:

budget

design specifications

file formats for output and end use

genre and platform

technical requirements

technical specifications.

Environments may include:

exteriors:

alien

fantasy

historic

natural

underwater

urban

interiors:

building

confined spaces

vehicle.

Software may include:

3-D Studio Max

Animator Pro

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Revit 9

Blender

Bodypaint

Cinema 4D

Combustion

CorelDraw

Deep paint

Electric Image

Form Z

Houdini

Illustrator

Lightwave

Maya

Photoshop

Pixie

POV-Ray

Renderman

Rhino

Shake

Soft Image or XSI

Z Brush.

Concept illustration may include:

2-D hand rendered drawing

2-D or 3-D digital illustration

2-D sketch

collage or montage

photograph

storyboard.

Game genre 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.

Focus testing may include:

documentation of high-level focus test objectives

focus test implementation plan (test plan) document to realise focus test objectives and the procedures and processes to be followed

test group members based on test plan, examples of criteria may include:

age

sex

location

other socioeconomic factors

appropriate environment and facilities for focus testing based on test-plan requirements

documentation of focus test results according to test plan.

Environment prototype may include:

a modelled and textured environment in which characters and objects interact

simulated game play, where the camera follows a game character through the environment demonstrating as many of the environment’s features as possible

simulated fly through, where the camera follows a predetermined path through the environment demonstrating as many of the environment’s features as possible.


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.