DXB205 Interactive Narrative Design


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:DXB205
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:Completion of 24 credit points of study
Equivalent:DXB304, DXB404
Coordinator:Jane Turner | j.turner@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit serves as an introduction to creating immersive environments and building interactive worlds for player performance and dramatic agency. The role of the narrative designer is central to the success of any significant professional project in interactive media and game design. The unit addresses theoretical issues associated with immersive / non-linear story structures and interactive narrative forms through the analysis of game / play systems, the creation of original game concepts and the application of techniques of narrative design. It extends this understanding into practice through the application of relevant skills, which will scaffold you into the production of a portfolio work (suitable for interaction designers, visual communication designers, game designers, media designers, creative writers and performance studies).

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Understand narrative components and forms in design for player performance and agency.
  2. Analyse and apply non-linear and interactive narrative structures.
  3. Create original game narratives in appropriate formats for dramatic agency and performance.
  4. Apply theories and techniques associated with game narratives; branching story structures, interactive narratives, environmental narratives and emergent narratives.

Content

This unit addresses content such as:

  • Play and story in game (and interactive media) design
  • Principles of designing for performance in immersive environments
  • Principles of systems for player agency
  • Principles of narrative forms in fictional worlds
  • Principles of representation (image and text)
  • Critical language use related to types of communication
  • and - Design as it relates to effective communication.

Learning Approaches

Lectures will describe and demonstrate conceptual issues.Tutorials will provide the opportunity for group discussion of concepts and principles explored in the lectures, as well as group and peer critiques of project work during milestone reviews for formative assessment.

In the online mode of this unit, you will learn through engaging in a variety of online activities, online self-directed learning, and weekly research and readings that are designed to support your learning experience. The recorded lectures will examine conceptual and theoretical principles and issues across a variety of design areas, with a focus on contemporary case studies. Throughout the online delivery of this unit, you will receive support from your instructors and peers. You will have access to online resources and materials, and you will be able to communicate with your instructors and peers via various online platforms. A variety of support materials will be published on the Canvas website to coordinate the unit.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in following ways:

  • online criteria sheets
  • Canvas general comments to cohort group
  • online comments on Padlet postings
  • peer and tutor feedback

Assessment

Overview

Assessment offers opportunity to implement principles and practices of narrative design in production of a work suitable for portfolio and opportunity for individual exploration of interactive narrative forms and systems in an individual project.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Design Project 1

The assignment requires you to research and produce a design project that implements principles of narrative design. You will be expected to produce and present a coherent and resolved work within the given brief which demonstrates your application of the principles of narrative presented in the lectures. The project should include an exploration of different narrative structures and techniques, and showcase your ability to create a compelling story through various design mediums. The final work should be accompanied by a design rationale that articulates the creative decisions made throughout the project.
 
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Early-Mid Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Interactive fiction project

You will apply the principles of interactive fiction and world-building to construct a work of interactive fiction or build a fictional world based on your first project. Your work should be coherent and demonstrate your understanding of the principles presented in the lectures. Your submission should include a design rationale that outlines your process, and an evaluation plan that describes how you will assess the effectiveness of your work.
 
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): End Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

Texts and references will be provided each semester via the unit Canvas site.

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments

  1. Demonstrate broad knowledge of games and interactive environments principles and theory, with an in-depth knowledge of one games-related discipline.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Design Project 1, Interactive fiction project
  2. Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
    Relates to: ULO2, Design Project 1, Interactive fiction project
  3. Create engaging and meaningful games experiences for specific target audiences in partnership with diverse industry and community stakeholders using industry-relevant software and technologies..
    Relates to: ULO3, Design Project 1, Interactive fiction project
  4. Communicate complex concepts at all stages of the development cycle to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written, oral and interactive visual formats.
    Relates to: ULO3, Design Project 1, Interactive fiction project

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

  1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO4
  2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  4. Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
    Relates to: ULO3
  5. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4