Assignment brief

Qualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – GAMES DESIGN

Unit number and title L3 Unit 73 Sound for Computer Games - Partial

Start date 31/01/2012

Deadline 30/03/2012

Assessor name Iain Goodyear

Assignment title CREATING A SAMPLE LIBRARY

The purpose of this assignment is to: Develop your ability to analyse and discuss the use of sound and music in computer games. Use field recording and computer audio synthesis to create a sound sample library for use in computer games.

Scenario Sound is an essential part of the computer game experience. Forming 50% of our sensory experience, and good game soundtrack can enhance our pleasure of a computer game and help bridge the ever decreasing gap between games and more traditional forms of storytelling such as films. Reverb Studios specialise in soundtrack production for computer games and are seeking to add to their already comprehensive sound libraries. Reverb Studios sound libraries have been used to soundtrack a large variety of games produced over the last decade, most recently Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. You are tasked with producing individual sound samples and short musical compositions for games of the following genre:

Action

Science Fiction

Retro/Classic

Fantasy

Puzzle It is expected that you will produce sound samples through a combination of computer VST generated audio and live sound recordings that have been manipulated and altered through VST effects. All samples that you produce will be uploaded to a centrally stored sample library and must be labelled according to producer initials and game genre. In addition to producing your samples and musical compositions, you must provide analysis of how sound design enhances computer games. For this, you will need to provide audio visual examples that should be embedded in your Unit 73 blog and accompanied with word processed OR voice recorded analysis. This analysis should comment on:

1. How you think the sound in your chosen example has been produced (production techniques) 2. What post-production techniques have been used to create the soundtrack (using subject specific terminology) 3. How the sound design of your chosen examples might enhance the gaming experience for audiences

Good Luck!

Tasks Grading Criteria Mapping

Task 1 Analyse the use of sound design in computer games. Using the analysis prompts outlined in the assignment brief scenario, you must gather and embed audio visual examples of sound design in computer games specific to the game genres specified in the assignment scenario. Analysis of the sound design can be word processed OR voice recorded and must be included OR embedded (if voice recorded) underneath your chosen example. All blog posts you produce MUST include the same generic title of Creating a Sample Library Assignment Task 1: followed by the title of the blog post. *All blog posts for this task must be linked to your unit 73 criteria 1 blog label.

Unit 73 P1/M1/D1

Task 2 Produce individual sound samples and short musical compositions for games of the following genre:

Action

Science Fiction

Retro/Classic

Fantasy

Puzzle Your sound samples must be produced using a combination of VST computer plug-ins, audio effects processors and live audio recordings. Your samples must be uploaded to your unit 73 blog using the generic title of Creating a Sample Library Assignment Task 2: followed by your initials, the relevant game genre and a sample type description For example: Creating a Sample Library Assignment Task 2: IG Retro Level Complete *All blog posts for this task must be linked to your unit 73 criteria 3 blog label.

Unit 73 P3/M3/D3

Sources of information

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

Iain Goodyear

Date 31/01/2012

Date

Unit 73 Sound for computer games

P1 describe uses of sound and music in games using some subject terminology appropriately

M1 explain use of sound and music in games with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology

D1 comprehensively explain use of sound and music in games with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly

P2 describe methods and principles of sound design and production using some subject terminology appropriately

M2 explain methods and principles of sound design and production with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology

D2 comprehensively explain methods and principles of sound design and production with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly

P3 create sound assets for a computer game following industry practice, working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance [CT; SM]

M3 create sound assets for a computer game working to a good technical standard following industry practice, showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance

D3 create sound assets for a computer game working to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations

P4 apply sound assets to a computer game following industry practice, working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance. [CT; RL]

M4 apply sound assets to a computer game working to a good technical standard following industry practice, showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

D4 apply sound assets to a computer game working to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

:PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal, learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate effective application of the referenced elements of the skills.