Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Brief may include:
background stories
descriptions of desired look and feel, i.e. aesthetic style
game design document
game overview, including list of special features and selling points
game walkthroughs
illustrations or graphics that enhance the comprehension of the document
intended audience
list of buildings
list of levels or missions
list of non-player and player characters
list of vehicles
references to existing bodies of graphical user interface (GUI) artwork and styles
references to existing game environments
storyboards
verbal instructions
written instructions.
Client may include:
3-D artists
animators
art directors
designers
external clients
modellers
technical directors.
Design and technical constraints may include:
budget
design specifications
file formats for output and end use
genre and platform
technical requirements
technical specifications.
Environments may include:
exteriors:
alien
fantasy
historic
natural
underwater
urban
interiors:
building
confined spaces
vehicle.
Software may include:
3-D Studio Max
Animator Pro
AutoCAD
AutoCAD Revit 9
Blender
Bodypaint
Cinema 4D
Combustion
CorelDraw
Deep paint
Electric Image
Form Z
Houdini
Illustrator
Lightwave
Maya
Photoshop
Pixie
POV-Ray
Renderman
Rhino
Shake
Soft Image or XSI
Z Brush.
Concept illustration may include:
2-D hand rendered drawing
2-D or 3-D digital illustration
2-D sketch
collage or montage
photograph
storyboard.
Game genre may include:
adventure
alternative reality
ancient
casino
cyberpunk
educational
edutainment
fantasy
first person shooter
flight shooter
flight simulation
futuristic
god simulation
massively multi-player online game
massively multi-player online role-playing game
medieval
modern
multi-player
post-apocalyptic
puzzle
racing shooter
racing simulation
real-time strategy
role-playing game
science fiction
side-scrolling shooter
single player
sports
strategy, including:
action strategy
turn-based strategy
tactical combat.
Focus testing may include:
documentation of high-level focus test objectives
focus test implementation plan (test plan) document to realise focus test objectives and the procedures and processes to be followed
test group members based on test plan, examples of criteria may include:
age
sex
location
other socioeconomic factors
appropriate environment and facilities for focus testing based on test-plan requirements
documentation of focus test results according to test plan.
Environment prototype may include:
a modelled and textured environment in which characters and objects interact
simulated game play, where the camera follows a game character through the environment demonstrating as many of the environment’s features as possible
simulated fly through, where the camera follows a predetermined path through the environment demonstrating as many of the environment’s features as possible.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
use 2-D and 3-D software applications to develop and realise characters for games
develop environment designs that comply with games design brief and client requirements
develop environment designs that are innovative and competitive with characters in games currently in the marketplace
test responses to environment designs for aesthetic suitability with intended audience and act on feedback.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
computer hardware and software
input device, such as stylist tablet, keyboard and mouse
output device, such as monitor, TV, printer and speakers
game design document or specifications
style shots
appropriate learning and assessment support when required
modified equipment for people with special needs.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
discussion and written report of the nominated techniques applied to environment design and realisation
discussion with learner and observation of the integration of environment design and evolution into the overall production pipeline
verbal questioning regarding reasons for use of particular hardware and software options
project or work activities that show research and reference sourcing of material to inform environment design
written and verbal reports or documentation showing research and production plan
review of portfolios of evidence
completed textured, shaded and rendered exemplars.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.
In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.