BTEC Assignment Brief

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production

Qualification
(Games Development)
Unit number and title
70 – Computer Game Engines

Learning aim(s) (For

LO1,2,3,4
NQF only)
Assignment title Computer Games & Engines
Assessor Joseph Dewar
Hand out date 02/03/2020
Hand in deadline 02/04/2020

You are working for a new games company based in Guildford. As

part of your role, you have been tasked with preparing a variety of
training materials and reference documents for new staff and
apprentices. At a recent staff meeting it was noted that many new
staff are unsure as to the purpose and components of game
engines, and as such you have agreed to put together a set of
reports to help educate and inform.

Alongside this, your company has tasked you with producing both a
2d and a 3d prototype game demo for their new concept as they
are still deciding on the optimal mode to use – see details below:
Vocational Scenario or
Context
“Freerunner 2020”
Freerunner 2020 is intended to be a fast platform-based
exploration game in which gameplay is focussed on player
movement through a retro-futuristic cityscape. You have
been given free reign on this project to adapt the concept as
you see fit, but you must deliver both a 2d and a 3d
interpretation of the scenario. You may want to consider
games such as Gunpoint, Speedrunners and Mirror’s edge for
inspiration.

Task 1 You need to complete all of the following – there are

no optional choices.

For the scenario above, write a report covering the purpose

of game engines.

You should ensure you fully cover the purpose of 2D, 3D

and mobile engines, with supporting arguments and
examples as well as a comparison between different
game engines showing the advantages and disadvantages
inherent in them (and in not using an engine at all).

In addition, you should make sure to include detailed

information and examples on both the progression of
game engines over time and the use of game engines

BTEC Assignment Brief Version 1.0 August 2016

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 by modders.

Your report MUST also include mention of ALL the

different purposes of a game engine.

This provides evidence for [D1, M1, P1]

Make sure to use the full range of essay writing skills

available to you including – for example, explanations,
clear referencing, and critically developing ideas (i.e.
compare, assess, evaluate) with supporting
arguments.
Checklist of evidence  Purpose of game engines report
required

Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference

D1 comprehensively explain the purposes of game engines with elucidated

examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly

M1 explain the purposes of game engines with reference to detailed

illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject
terminology

P1 describe the purposes of game engines using some subject terminology

appropriately

Task 2 From the scenario above, write a report covering the

different components of game engines. Your report should
also cover how the different components function and work
together, and should include an evaluation of the different
components – indicating with supporting arguments which
components are more important than the others.

You should make sure that your report covers the following
areas: Graphic Rendering, Animation systems, Other
Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Middleware. It is
important to note that several of these topics have different
definitions outside of the topic of game engines, and you
should ensure that your coverage is focussed on the
components as part of game engines rather than as separate
topics.

This provides evidence for [D2,M2,P2]

Make sure to use the full range of essay writing skills

2
BTEC Assignment Brief Version 1.0 August 2016
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Approved by: Delivery Manager
    
 available to you including – for example, explanations,
clear referencing, and critically developing ideas (i.e.
compare, assess, evaluate) with supporting
arguments.
Checklist of evidence  Components of game engines report
required

Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference

D2 comprehensively explain components of game engines with elucidated

examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly
M2 explain components of game engines with reference to detailed
illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject
terminology
P2 summarise accurately the functions of components of game engines
using some subject terminology appropriately

Task 3 Produce a working 2D game world from the scenario

detailed above. Note that the overall quality of the game
world will be part of your assessment, so you should take
care to make use of the many features available to you –
these include things like:

 Loading sprites
 Triggers
 Lighting
 Animation sequences & Sound

Consider using scripting to improve the quality of your

overall work, with more complex actions being used as an
indicator of a higher technical quality.

In addition, you should prepare a report covering how you

have used the tools to create your game and initial planning.

This report should take care to cover Level Design, Game

Assets, the Production process, and publishing a
finished executable – these should all be illustrated with
appropriate screenshots.

Finally, your report should show you following industry

practice. This could include:

 Alpha testing (by the developer during production)

 Beta testing (by a small group of selected users)
 User testing (by a larger group of users)
 Reflecting/reviewing the finished game – did it meet
your initial design idea? How did the production

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BTEC Assignment Brief Version 1.0 August 2016
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Approved by: Delivery Manager
    
 process go? What are your thoughts on the aesthetic
and technical qualities of the work you have
produced?

You should submit your report, and all the files

necessary to produce a working executable of your
game.

This provides evidence for [D3, M3, P3]

Make sure to use the full range of essay writing skills

available to you including – for example, explanations,
clear referencing, and critically developing ideas (i.e.
compare, assess, evaluate) with supporting
arguments.
Checklist of evidence  Production report
required  Finished game files
 Finished executable
Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference

D3 create a 2D game world to a technical quality that reflects near-

professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity
and flair and working independently to professional expectations

M3 create a 2D game world to a good technical standard following industry

practice, showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance

P3 create a 2D game world following industry practice, working within

appropriate conventions and with some assistance

Task 4 You need to complete all of the following – there are

no optional choices.

Produce a working 3D game world from the scenario

detailed above. Note that the overall quality of the game
world will be part of your assessment, so you should take
care to make use of the many features available to you –
these include things like:

 Loading Textures and Models

 Triggers
 Lighting
 Animation sequences & Sound

Consider using scripting to improve the quality of your

overall work, with more complex actions being used as an

4
BTEC Assignment Brief Version 1.0 August 2016
Prepared By: BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM
Approved by: Delivery Manager
    
 indicator of a higher technical quality.

In addition, you should prepare a report covering how you

have used the tools to create your game and initial planning.

This report should take care to cover Level Design, Game

Assets, the Production process, and publishing a
finished executable – these should all be illustrated with
appropriate screenshots.

Finally, your report should show you following industry

practice. This could include:

 Alpha testing (by the developer during production)

 Beta testing (by a small group of selected users)
 User testing (by a larger group of users)
 Reflecting/reviewing the finished game – did it meet
your initial design idea? How did the production
process go? What are your thoughts on the aesthetic
and technical qualities of the work you have
produced?

You should submit your report, and all the files

necessary to produce a working executable of your
game.

This provides evidence for [D4, M4, P4]

Checklist of evidence  Complete game files

required  Working executable
 Production report

Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference

D4 create a 3D game world to a technical quality that reflects near-

professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity
and flair and working independently to professional expectations

M4 create a 3D game world to a good technical standard following industry

practice, showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance

P4 create a 3D game world following industry practice, working within

appropriate conventions and with some assistance.

Sources of information Textbooks

to support you with this

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BTEC Assignment Brief Version 1.0 August 2016
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Assignment Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al – BTEC Level 3 National
Creative Media Production, Student Book (Pearson, 2010)
ISBN 978-1846906725

Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al – BTEC Level 3 National

Creative Media Production, Teaching Resource Pack (Pearson, 2010)
ISBN 978-1846907371

Busby J, Parrish Z and Eenwyk J V – Mastering Unreal Technology:

The Art of Level Design (Sams Publishing, 2004)
ISBN 978-0672326929

Guilfoyle E – Half Life 2 Mods For Dummies (For Dummies, 2007)

ISBN 978-0470096314

Guilfoyle E – Quake 4 Mods For Dummies (For Dummies, 2006)

ISBN 978-0470037461

Habgood J, Overmars M – The Game Maker’s Apprentice: Game

Development for Beginners (Apress, 2006)
ISBN 978-1590596159

Swamy N – Basic Game Design and Creation for Fun and Learning
(Charles River Media, 2006)
ISBN 978-1584504467

Websites
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_engine – game engine information
planethalflifegamespy.com/hl/– Half-Life game mod engine
information
planetquakegamespy.com – Quake game mod engine information
udn.epicgames.com/Two/WebHome – information on working with
the unreal engine2
wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki/UnrealEd_2 – unreal engine2
documentation site
www.gamasutra.com – game industry information
www.gamedev.net – game industry information
www.gamemaker.nl/resource.html – game maker resources
www.garagegames.com/products/1 – torque game engine
www.igda.org – the Independent Game Developers’ Association

ASSESSMENT RECORD SHEET

Level 3 Extended
Diploma in Creative
Programme Media Production Learner name PLEASE FILL IN
(Games
Development)
Assignment title Assessor name
Unit no. & title Targeted

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 learning
aims/assessmen
t criteria
First Submission
Deadline 20/12/19 Date submitted PLEASE FILL IN
Targeted Criteria
Assessment comments
criteria achieved
D1
M1
P1
D2
M2
P2
D3
M3
P3
D4
M4
P4
D5
M5
P5
General comments

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is my

Learner Declaration
Learner signature
Assessor declaration
Assessor signature
Resubmission
authorisation
by Lead Internal
own. I have clearly referenced any sources used in the work. I
understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.
PLEASE FILL IN Date PLEASE FILL IN
I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is the
learner’s own. The learner has clearly referenced any sources
used in the work. I understand that false declaration is a form
of malpractice.
Date
Date of feedback
to learner
Date

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Verifier*
* All resubmissions must be authorised by the Lead Internal Verifier. Only one
resubmission is possible per assignment, providing:
● The learner has met initial deadlines set in the assignment, or has met an agreed
deadline extension.
● The tutor considers that the learner will be able to provide improved evidence
without further guidance.
● Evidence submitted for assessment has been authenticated and accompanied by a
signed and dated declaration of authenticity by the learner.
**Any resubmission evidence must be submitted within 15 working days of receipt of
results of assessment.

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BTEC Assignment Brief Version 1.0 August 2016
Prepared By: BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM
Approved by: Delivery Manager