ALW251 - Writing for Games: Designing Quests and Characters
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Patrick West |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit invites students to explore how gaming culture involves the telling of stories in both ancient and innovative ways. What is the role of the writer in creating narrative games? What are the new constraints and opportunities presented to writers or storytellers by digital narratives? Learning about the narrative pattern of the fantasy quest and the enduring importance of character, students will explore various fantasy narrative games to identify how the quest and characterisation play structural roles. They will also use basic software to design their own quest narrative, working in teams to develop an appreciation of the cross-modal and collaborative practice of games writers. (No coding experience necessary.)
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Apply knowledge of the role of the writer/story designer in the gaming industry in cross-modal and collaborative activities in a professional context | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Analyse the quest and character elements in digital games through case studies | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Use basic text-based narrative design software to construct a collaborative digital narrative that demonstrates knowledge about games narratives and characterisation, and about writing for games in professional contexts | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Relate constructively and professionally with others while undertaking research and working in a team | GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management GLO7: Teamwork |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Class Presentation and Case Study | 1200 words or equivalent | 30% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2: (Group) Creating a Narrative Game | 2000 words per group member | 50% | Week 11 |
| Assessment 3: Reflective Essay | 800 words or equivalent | 20% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ALW251 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.