Title: Grading Information
Course: RITA MC - VIDEO GAME DESIGN HYBRID > Section: Begin HERE-GAME1328 Video Game Design

Grading Breakdown

Events | Graded Course Elements | Percentage or Points Values
14 | Chapter Quizzes | 20%
10 | Chapter Homework | 10%
14 | Lab Assignments | 25%
4 | Exams | 25%
28 | Attendance & Participation | 5%
1 | Skills Assessment – Final Character & Game Design | 15%

GRADING SCALE

A | 90-100 | D | 60-69
B | 80-89 | F | <  60
C | 70-79 |  |

EXAMS

There are Quizzes for each week. There is some homework. The cumulative score for these tasks are worth 30% of your grade. Exams will be based on the Quizzes, the labs, homework, and class LABS. Grades should be received immediately upon taking an Exam. There are 4 module exams and a Final EXAM. Only 4 Exam scores are taken, so if you are doing well and have NOT missed an EXAM, you may find yourself EXEMPT of the Final Exam. (But NOT the Final Project) IF something happens and you miss an EXAM or bomb the Exam, or for whatever reason, you can take the FINAL Exam and replace that low score.  It's a Win Win!

Late work is not accepted. With prior approval, I will accept an early assignment. YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED NOT TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO TAKE ANY ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS, QUIZZES OR EXAMS. THERE IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY OF ENCOUNTERING ERRORS OR TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, OR SIMPLY RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND MISSING A DEADLINE. Please subscribe to the saying “ FAILURE TO PLAN, IS PLANNING TO FAIL. ” Communication is critical. I will work with students that experience Life-Changing events, as long as you communicate and do NOT wait until the last minute.  All of your login and logout times and activities are recorded in CANVAS and are available for viewing.

LABS

This IS a HYBRID Course. This means that you will meet your class for a total of 6 designated face-to-face meetings. There will be one organizational and informational meeting at the beginning and one Final Project Presentation at the end of the semester. There will be 4 Module completion meetings where you will play and evaluate yours and your peers Game Designs. Computer Information Technology Training courses have a number of labs and exercises to be completed during the length of the course. Participation and completion of these labs are significant and work toward improving your Soft Skills.

Additional Information

25% of the grade is based on the LESSON EXAMS and the FINAL EXAM. Again, the lowest grade of the exams will be dropped from your total EXAM GPA. For example, if you already have an "A" average with all grades included, you may decide not to take the FINAL exam, and your Final exam will count as a zero and be dropped, still leaving you an "A" average. All exams are composed of multiple choice, matching, True/False questions, and may contain one or two short essay questions. The FINAL exam is MODERATELY cumulative.

30% of the grade is based on quizzes and homework assignments. Please note the shut-off date of the quizzes. You may take the quizzes as many as three times and only your highest grade will count. The quizzes will NOT be reactivated once the shut-off date has expired. There may be periodic short essay questions. The essay questions will have a one-time answer question and may have separate drop-box outside of the quiz. It is critical that you know the designated shut-off dates and update your calendar and reminder systems not to miss these dates. All quizzes have been designed to shut-off at designated dates after which you will no longer be able to see or take the quizzes. Only your highest quiz from each of the chapters will count, AGAIN! be sure to take the quiz before its designated shut-off date.

Due to network errors, service availability of CANVAS, or any other acts of Strangeness on the Internet,  it is strongly recommended that you do not wait until the last day/hour of a shut-off date. I cannot guarantee availability of the NCTC network and applications. 25% of the grade is based on assignment completion of Labs. 5% of the grade is based on your Attendance and Class Participation. Do NOT miss your HYBRID meet dates. 15% of the grade is based on your Skills Assessment and Final Project, which is also a culmination of another Portfolio piece…an Avatar Design AND Game Design documentation, concept drawing, story boards, etc.

Grading Rubrics

How are the Games and the Practicum Graded?  Generally an assignment has very specific and clear expectations, whether it be a game type (puzzle, rpg, path, territorial acquisition, etc.) and one of the following charts or tables is used to determine your final score on a submission.

Game1328 Grade Rubric 1

Category | Barely Breathing -1 | Novice - 2 | Apprentice - 3 | Distinguished - 4 | Wizard-Guru - 5
Game Challenge TYPE What was it? Puzzle, Path, Territory, Role Play? MET or NOT MET? | Not clearly defined | Defined – but then not designed to the definition. | Defined and the Game follows the idea of this Challenge.   A good start but still work to be done. | Clearly defined Challenge Type.   Easy to understand and meets the qualifications for Game Type indicated. | There is no doubt on Game Challenge TYPE. It is clearly defined and described. Very professional presentation.
Game Title/Name How is the Game presented? Does it have clear identity? | No title or identity | Title is poor and does not match the game | Game has clear Title/Name and Identity | Game Title enhances Game | Game Title helps to create anticipation of the Game.
Game Story Is there a GameStory? Is the story good and does it compliment the game? | No Game Story Game story is incomplete | Game Story is marginal | Good game story but not attention to detail. Spelling and grammar errors. | Professional Game Story. Well presented. | Professional Game Story. Well presented. ..gives player incentive to play this game.
Game Pieces What are the GameBits? Do they complement the game? | No game pieces or game pieces are not appropriate | Game Pieces fit their purpose | Game pieces complement the game | Game pieces complement the game and are being improved | Game pieces are original, ready to go, suit the game, & complement game play
Mechanics? What were they? Did they fit? Did they work? Do they need some work? | No game mechanics or game mechanics do not work or are not suitable. | Game Mechanics are in process of being debugged and playtested. | Mechanics are appropriate | Mechanics complement game play.   Designer is open to suggestion to improve or change Game Mechanics | Sophisticated Game Mechanics are evident and in play. Designer continues to seek improvement
Conflict between Players? Artfully done, or not a factor? | No concept expressed | There are some conflict cards or rules involved, but not debugged | Conflict cards, conflict rules.   More than 3 bugs have occurred in playtest. | Conflict cards, conflict rules, good game balance. Less than 3 bugs in playtest. | Clearly defined conflict cards, good design. Clear rules and good balance. Clearly debugged.
WIN Condition ? Defined? MET or NOT MET | No WIN condition defined | No WIN Condition defined | WIN condition is vague and needs some work | WIN condition is clearly defined, but playtest reveals questions | WIN condition clearly defined.   Players know exactly how to win.
Game RULES Clearly communicated? Easy to follow? Fun or NOT Fun? | No rules provided. All verbal and not clear. | Rules are confusing and not clearly defined. Brief periods of FUN | Rules cover the basics, no plan for exceptions. Easy to follow | Rules are very clear and easy to follow. Rules make the game FUN | Rules are clear and consistent.   Rules are printed and easy to follow.   Definite FUN!

Game1328 Grade Rubric 2

Category | Barely Breathing - 1 | Novice - 2 | Apprentice - 3 | Distinguished - 4 | Wizard-Guru - 5 | N/A
Research | ___ No indication of research for Game Type | ___ Did not include ideas about the game type or ideas are incorrect | ___ Includes a few ideas about the game type, shows some understanding | ___ Focuses on and understands important concepts about the game type  matter | ___ Makes important connections between game type area concepts, shows in-depth understanding |
Game plan Beatchart Brainstorm | ___ Plan is confusing or does not fit game type. ___ Brainstorm has less than 5 ideas. | ___ ___ Plan and storyboard were incomplete ___ Game rules and goal were unclear and disorganized | ___ Plan and storyboard reflected some attention to deadlines and details ___ Game rules and goal covered the basics | ___ Plan and storyboard reflected attention to deadlines and details ___ Game rules and goal were thorough and clear | ___ Plan and storyboard were thorough and well laid out to achieve high outputs ___ Game rules and goal were thoughtful and engaging and incorporated flow |
Programming | ___ Game showed little understanding of game design platform ___ Game will not load. Players are unclear what to do. | ___ Lacks organization and logic ___ Has several bugs | ___ Game showed some understanding of game design platform ___ Has some organization and logic ___ May have a couple bugs | ___ Game showed understanding of game design platform ___ Organized, logical, and debugged | ___ Game showed advanced understanding of game design platform ___ Used advanced programming techniques ___ Is particularly well organized, logical, and debugged |
Process

(plan, design, create, test and evaluate)
___ Did not use Game time well and did not meet deadlines

___ Did not collaborate

___ Made excuses without solutions or a plan to improve
___ Game was not original and did not include any original sprites, background or sound effects

___ Designer did not get involved in  design process
___ Student tried out the design process

___ Used Game time well sometimes and met some deadlines

___ Collaborated at times

___ Game was a remix and included some original sprites, background or sound effects
___ Student used design process

___ Used Game time constructively, met deadlines

___ Collaborated appropriately

___ Game was a creative remix or original that included many original sprites, background or sound effects
___ Student made significant use of the design process

___ Used Game time constructively, finished early or added additional elements

___ Found ways to collaborate beyond class structure

___ Game was unique and creative with 100% original content

Game1328 Grade Rubric 3 (Board Game – The Path)

Category | Barely Breathing - 1 | Novice - 2 | Apprentice - 3 | Distinguished - 4 | Wizard-Guru - 5 | N/A
Rules | No Rules | Rules are not clear. Unprofessional. | Rules are defined, but there are typos and other errors. | Clear Instructions | Clear instructions, no grammar errors |
Appearance | No presentation, no appearance. | Cannot read the words on the game. No color. Poor presentation | Words and images are sloppy and hastily thrown together. | Detailed. Some color. Neat. Looks good. | Neat, typed, professional appearance. Lots of color, good design |
Overall Design | Includes 10 or fewer spaces. Poor design and no color.   Spaces do not propel game forward. | Includes 12 or more spaces. Some play spaces do not propel game forward or have no significance. | Includes 15 or more spaces.   Most play spaces have meaning and motive. | Includes 20 or more spaces. Play spaces have meaning. | Includes 24 or more spaces.   Play spaces have meaning. Things happen to move forward. |
Educational Value | 2-4 players not followed. No game cards Not playtested | 2-4 players not followed. No game cards Not playtested | Good for 2 players. 4 players questionable. Less than 10 Game Cards Playtested | Written for 2-4 players. 10 or more game cards that add to the game agenda. Playtested | Written for 2-4 players. Includes 15 or more Game Cards that add to gameplay. Playtested |
Entertainment Value | Not fun. Boring. Unbalanced. No game bits/pieces No mechanics | Not much fun. Too many errors Marginal Game bits Some mechanics | FUN, but don’t really want to play it again. Simple but usable Game bits, More than two mechanics | FUN, want to play again, but want to make some changes. Good Game bits More than 3 mechanics | Lots of FUN. Everyone wants to play. Want to play again. Professional Game pieces More than 5 mechanics |
ESRB Rating | No rating defined | Rating does not match Game | Clearly rated | Clearly rated | Clearly Rated. Target market on track. |