Assignment briefQualification QCF Level 3: BTEC NationalUnit number and title Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies

Start date 27/1/14Deadline 10/3/14Assessor name Simon Ellershaw

Assignment title GameDen – Console Design

The purpose of this assignment is to:

The aim of this assignment is to assess learners understanding of LO 2 and LO3, Games platform hardware and games platform software. It will cover criteria P2, M2, D2; P3, M3, D3

Scenario

You work for The GameDen – an online magazine aimed at computer game enthusiasts and aficionados. Through the dedicated fan forums on GameDen a group of enthusiastic computer game fans have banned together to try and raise funds to develop their own open source games console to rival the big 3 consoles that are currently out there. You have been asked by your manager at GameDen to work with this group of fans to help come up with a design idea for an open source computer game console.

Task 1 – Research existing consoles and mobile gaming technologies and produce two comparison tables that will look at the features listed below for consoles and mobile technologies.

Task 2 – Produce a design spec, including concept art/images for the console, software interface and example controllers.

Task 3 – Produce a glossary of terms covering key hardware and software terminology to support your design.

P2 describe hardware technologies for game platforms with some appropriate use of subject terminologyM2 explain hardware technologies for game platforms with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminologyD2 comprehensively explain hardware technologies for game platforms with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctlyP3 describe software technologies for game platforms with some appropriate use of subject terminologyM3 explain software technologies for game platforms with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminologyD3 comprehensively explain software technologies for game platforms with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly

Task 1- Research existing consoles and mobile gaming technologies and produce two comparison tables that will look at the features listed below for consoles and mobile technologies

Comparison table 1 – Games consoles – Compare PS4, Xbox One and WiiU for the following featuresCPU, RAM, Graphics Processor, Video Display, Audio output, Software kernel (operating system), Power Supply, Storage media

Comparison table 2 – Mobile technology – Compare PSP, Nintendo DS and NVidia Shield for the following features CPU, RAM, Graphics Processor, Video Display, Audio output, Software kernel (operating system), Power Supply, Storage media

Task 2 – Produce a design spec, including concept art/images for and open source games console and example controllers.

Design spec needs to include

Artwork/images for the main console (front and rear view) Art work for at least one main controller Spec breakdown and justification for the following components

o RAM ((purpose; capacity; type, e.g. Rambus Dynamic (RDRAM), static (SRAM), dynamic (DRAM), unified

o CPU (type; speed)o Graphics Processor (Type, speed, capacity)o Video Display/Output (Type of display)o Sound/Audio (type; eg mono/stereo/3D/surround)o Internal Storage (type eg flash memory; Hard Drive and capacity and speedo Portable Storage media – type eg digital versatile disc (DVD); optical disc;

universal media disc (UMD); magnetic tape;o Power Supplyo Controller (type eg paddle, joystick, keyboard, keypad, mouse, wheel, pedals,

eye toy, motion sensor and design eg ergonomic; button configurations; user centered; portability)

o Connectivity (stand-alone; controller ports; internet; broadband; wifi; Bluetootho Software Kernel (operating system)

Task 3 – Produce a glossary of terms covering key hardware and software terminology to support your design. Include the following terms with a description and at least one example how it is used in games technology

o RAMo CPUo Graphics Processoro Video Display/Output ( LCD, Monochrome, Colour)o Sound/Audioo Storage Mediao Power Supplyo Software Kernel (operating system)o HCIo LANo GPRSo WAPo Cacheo MCP (Media Communications Processor)o 2D v 3D graphics processingo Subscription TVo ETV (Enhanced Television)o API (Graphical and Sound)o Interpreted programming languages for gameso Compiled programming languages for gameso Object-oriented programming

o Scripting languages for games

Sources of information

www.howstuffworks.com – learning support with good clear illustrations and simple language to explain topics, useful for researchwww.gamasutra.com– the website for game developers, has many interesting articles on technical topics and excellent for research (may need user registration)www.geek.comwww.techterms.com

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

Assessor Paul Morgan

Signature Date

Internal verifier

Signature Date