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 | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
The module aims:
- To introduce you to the theoretical and practical principles behind the design and development of 3D interactive media environments.
- To further develop and apply the theoretical and practical principles behind media production technologies introduced in Year 1 in the context of 3D environments.
- To provide a realistic forum in which you can explore the aesthetic and practical application of visual and audio media production systems, to fulfil
- creative objectives.
Module learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the theoretical and practical principles underpinning the design and development of 3D interactive
- media environments.
- Demonstrate knowledge of aesthetic, technical and practical applications of visual and audio media production systems for 3D
- interactive media environments.
- Demonstrate how scientific image, sound and 3D graphics concepts taught in Year 1 can be translated into 3D interactive media production practice.
- Demonstrate ability to synthesise 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 analyse 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
You will receive individual oral feedback for the weekly practical lab sessions, during the lab sessions. You will receive written feedback on coursework assignments using a pro-forma identifying key requirements and marks awarded for sections of the assignment, in line with standard University turnaround times.
Indicative reading
- 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.