Studying at York
Media Production for Interactive Environments - TFT00018I
Module summary
This module introduces you to the 3D virtual environments that games, interactive stories, simulations and other forms of immersive interactive media are set within. In lectures, you’ll learn about how 3D virtual environments work from a technical perspective — studying topics including representing indoor and outdoor scenes, cameras, lighting, collision detection, 3D audio and even some basic AI. You’ll also learn learn how to design your environments so that they guide the user and present a narrative, and have a chance to build on your 3D modelling skills to incorporate animation. In practical classes you’ll put this knowledge into action by creating your own fully functioning interactive environments in the Unity game engine.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
- To provide a realistic forum in which students can explore the aesthetic and
practical application of visual and audio media production systems, to fulfill creative objectives. - To further develop and apply the theoretical and practical principles behind media
production technologies introduced in Year 1. - To introduce students to the theoretical and practical principles behind the design and development of interactive media environments.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
- Demonstrate knowledge of aesthetic and practical applications of visual and audio media production systems for interactive media environments.
- Demonstrate how scientific image, sound and 3D graphics concepts taught in Year 1 can be translated into interactive media production practice.
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the theoretical and practical principles underpinning the design and development of interactive media environments.
Academic and graduate skills
- Demonstrate ability to synthesize multiple media types into a single interactive media experience or system.
- Demonstrate ability to evaluate the technical and aesthetic quality of visual and audio assets for interactive media experiences and systems.
- Demonstrate ability to analyze and chose appropriate media production approaches and media types in a given problem domain.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Students will receive individual oral feedback for the weekly practical lab sessions, during the lab sessions.
Students will receive written feedback on coursework assignments using a proforma identifying key requirements and marks awarded for sections of the assignment. This will be available 20 working days after submission, except in exceptional circumstances which will be communicated to the students.
Indicative reading
Indicative books:
- Menard, M. (2014). Game Development with Unity. United States: Cengage Learning.
- Macklin, C., Sharp, J. (2016). Games, Design and Play: A Detailed Approach to Iterative Game Design. United Kingdom: Pearson Education.
- O'Hailey, T. (2018). Rig it Right! Maya Animation Rigging Concepts, 2nd Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press.
- Williams, R. (2012). The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators. United Kingdom: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
- Sinclair, J. (2020). Principles of Game Audio and Sound Design: Sound Design and Audio Implementation for Interactive and Immersive Media. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Group.
- Taher, R. (2019). Hands-On Object-Oriented Programming with C#: Build Maintainable Software with Reusable Code Using C#. United Kingdom: Packt Publishing.