Level 2 Digital Games Production BTEC

This subject is broken down into 38 topics in 8 modules:

  1. Digital Games Production 5 topics
  2. Storytelling for Digital Games 5 topics
  3. Digital Games Design and Development 6 topics
  4. 2D Digital Games 3 topics
  5. 3D Digital Games 5 topics
  6. Digital Audio Production for Games 4 topics
  7. Games Marketing and Promotion 5 topics
  8. Game Testing and Quality Assurance 5 topics
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  • 8
    modules
  • 38
    topics
  • 15,219
    words of revision content
  • 1+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Digital Games Production

Digital Games Production

Introduction to the games industry

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Introduction to the games industry

The Games Industry Overview

  • Video game industry is a global sector responsible for the development, marketing and sale of video games and game systems.
  • Dominated by key players including Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo in the hardware space and EA, Activision Blizzard, and Ubisoft in the software space.
  • Includes thousands of independent studios creating games for digital distribution platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and mobile app stores.

History of the Games Industry

  • Early days were defined by arcade games, with companies like Atari laying the groundwork in the 1970s.
  • The console market established itself in the late 1980s with the Nintendo Entertainment System, followed by platforms from Sega, Sony, and Microsoft.
  • Transitioned to digital distribution with platforms like Steam in the 2000s, significantly lowering barrier of entry for independent developers.
  • Rapid growth in the mobile games sector after smartphones became ubiquitous in the 2010s.

Key Roles in the Games Industry

  • Game designers who create the mechanics, story, and overall experience of a game.
  • Artists who create all visual assets including characters, environments, and UI elements.
  • Programmers who code the game, bringing the design and art together into a playable product.
  • Sound designers who create the music, sound effects, and any other audio in a game.
  • Producers who manage the project, ensuring it stays on schedule and within budget.

Current Trends in the Games Industry

  • Esports have grown significantly, with professional leagues and massive prize pools for games like League of Legends and Fortnite.
  • Virtual and augmented reality games are gaining popularity with the release of hardware such as Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR.
  • Live-service games such as Destiny and Final Fantasy XIV, which continually update with new content, have become a popular model to maintain player community.
  • Social impact games that aim to educate or involve social issues, as well as promoting change, are increasing day by day.

Career Opportunities in the Games Industry

  • Roles are increasing for level designers, tasked with creating specific areas or challenges in a game.
  • There's high demand for AI programmers who create the artificial intelligence for non-player characters and game systems.
  • Opportunities for game testers, identifying bugs and issues before the game is released.
  • The rise of esports has created opportunities for professional gamers, as well as roles in coaching, event management, and broadcasting.
  • Many indie studios have roles for generalists who can wear multiple hats.

Course material for Digital Games Production, module Digital Games Production, topic Introduction to the games industry

Digital Games Production

3D Digital Games

3D modeling and design techniques

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3D modeling and design techniques

Intro to 3D Modeling Techniques

  • 3D modeling is a crucial piece in creating digital games. It refers to the process of creating a 3D object using specialised software.
  • Objects are defined by their geometry and can be created using different techniques such as box modeling, polygonal modeling, and spline modeling.
  • Box modeling involves beginning with a primitive shape, commonly a cube (or box), and gradually refining it to create complex models.
  • With polygonal modeling, starts with a basic shape, usually simpler than a box. The modeler adds, moves, and deletes the polygons to create a detailed model.
  • Spline or patch modeling fundamentally use curves to define the shape of a 3D object.

Materials and Texturing

  • Textures are images applied to models to give them colour and detail. Models without textures appear flat and unconvincing.
  • Digital artists use UV mapping to graph textures onto 3D models. The UV map represents a flattened 2D version of your model, onto which a texture can be painted or applied.
  • Materials incorporate textures as well as additional properties such as shininess, transparency, and reflection.

Lighting and Shadows

  • Proper lighting is essential in making a 3D environment believable. It helps to define mood, show the direction, and highlight important elements.
  • Types of lights used in 3D games include point lights, directional lights, and spot lights.
  • Shadows add depth and perspective to the model. They can be hard (defined borders) or soft (blurred borders).

Rigging and Animation

  • Rigging is the process of creating the skeleton – the joints and bones – that will be used to move the character in a three-dimensional space.
  • Skinning refers to the process of attaching a model to the rig or skeleton. Effective skinning ensures that the model deforms accurately as the rig moves.
  • Animation involves manipulating the rigged characters to move and behave as required by the scene.

Rendering

  • Rendering is the final process, where all the models, textures, lights and animations come together to create a two-dimensional image or animation sequence.
  • There are different types of rendering techniques such as Real-time rendering used in gaming, and Offline rendering, commonly used in creating movie animations.

Course material for Digital Games Production, module 3D Digital Games, topic 3D modeling and design techniques

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