Module Assignment 10MA10

Academic Week: AW: 16+17 - MA10

Introduction

This is the second assignment focusing on Real-Time Environments, where you will build upon knowledge you have learned from all previous assignments to create a complete environment level.

You are creating an aesthetically pleasing environment

Time available: 2 weeks

Assignment

You are to create a environment level using your pre-made assets from the Content Creation assignments, and if necessary combine with free packs from the Epic Marketplace. You are encouraged to primarily use your own assets, however you can also create the environment completely using Marketplace content if needed. You are free to use any tools at your disposal to create the most believable and interesting environment you can.

The key focus for this assignment is to use your assets in the most optimal way, to re-use/re-purpose assets to create a varied game environment without having it look repetitive. Other important aspects of environment design include environmental storytelling, and it is expected of you to consider the narrative behind your asset placement. And focus on creating an exciting atmosphere with lighting, particle effects and post-process effects.

Pre-Production

  • Analyze the challenge and scope of the assignment
  • Assess the assets available and plan out how you intend to use them
  • Plan and create a digital drawing of a top-down level layout
  • Design the environment with environmental storytelling in mind
  • Create a moodboard with the color palette you intend to use

Production

  • You are encouraged to mainly use your pre-made assets from Content Creation
  • Adjust materials/textures to fit your color palette 
  • Create custom collision on assets where it is needed
  • Create an atmospheric lighting setup, and use post-process volumes and effects to improve the overall look

Additional assets can be completed using free resources from the Marketplace

Post-Production 

  • Take 4 screenshots of your finished environment, take them from different angles to showcase the best features
  • Create a cinematic video of your environment using the Sequencer
    • Upload the video to Vimeo, YouTube or similar – the video link must be shared in the report in accordance with the criteria set for delivered media.
  • Prepare a presentation of your level. The presentation should last more than 5 minutes.
    • Online Students are to record and submit a video with commentary track.
    • Upload the video to Vimeo, YouTube or similar – the video link must be shared in the report in accordance with the criteria set for delivered media.

Extra Challenge

Extra challenges are not mandatory, but they will elevate your final delivery.
On project assignments experience with extra challenges will come in handy.

  • Implement sound effects, ambient sound and particles effects
  • Create minor animations to your assets to make the environment come alive

Presentation

If your presentation is a video, you must add audio comments. Provide a short description of your product, reflect on and justify your design decisions, and give a short conclusion of the result.

A PowerPoint Presentation needs to contain the same elements, as students will present in front of an audience.

Files to Submit

Follow the delivery criteria from – How To Deliver

  • Documentation
    • Report (add the items to a single .PDF)
      • Top-Down Level layout 
      • Moodboard with color palette
      • A reflection of your work, design and result
      • Video link to cinematic (Sequencer) – uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube
        • It's recommended to password protect your work, and make sure it's viewable to the sensor
    • If applicable, files used for the presentation (e.g. powerpoint)
  • ProjectFiles
    • UE4 (use ZipUp project)
    • Packed version (*.exe)
  • Media
    • Screenshots (.png/.tga)

Learning Outcomes

This is part 2 of 2 assignments where the learning outcomes are:

  • masters relevant tools and techniques to design and place light and materials and add sound in a game engine
  • can explain his/her choice of iterative and modular techniques for designing, adapting and changing the structure of interactive real-time environments
  • can reflect over his/her own design and adjust it under supervision, or feedback from fellow students and peers
  • can find and refer to information and materials and assess its relevance to current game design theories and identify issues and what measures need to be implemented

As a reminder of the grading system:

  • Not Passed - You did not submit any assignment.
  • Re-Deliver - This means your assignment is not passed, but is still redeemable. Just follow the feedback and deliver again with the necessary improvements.
  • Passed - The assignment has been assessed to fulfill the criteria of the scope. The feedback you receive should be contemplated and taken into play for future assignments.

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