“The best way to learn games is to play games. The best way to make games is to work.” – Alan Emrich
Part I: Class Homework
Re-read the week's Review Sheet (particularly the parts that were sped past during the lecture) and peruse the required reading assignments for this week. While you should be focusing your energy on progressing your Graded Course Project (see below), you will need to keep up with the required readings!
Part II: Formatting Your Business Identity
In class last week you met in your Teams and looked over the draft copies of your business identity; this week you will have confirmed what your Team’s business identity will be and how you will be presenting it. Now it is time to delegate the responsibility to one or more of your Team members to ‘put it in writing.’ That is, to create a business card template and letterhead design for your new company. You must hand in a business card and a piece of company stationary with your business’ letterhead on it. Be sure that both of these items contain your business’ name, and at least one or the other contains the business’ motto and logo.
You will be graded on these materials as follows:
Up to 3 points for the suitability of your company’s Name
Up to 3 points for the suitability of your company’s Logo
Up to 2 points for the suitability of your company’s Motto
Up to 4 points (total) for the presentation of your company’s Business Card and Letterhead
Thus, you can earn a total of up to 12 points. This is a Team grade, and each member of your Team will receive the same score.
Part III: The Graded Course Project
You've got a Production Schedule, so now is the time to work it! Everyone should be working both independently and cooperatively on their Graded Course Project tasks as defined by their Job Descriptions.
- Lead Writer / Designer Homework: Your Team's game Concept Document is due at the beginning of class next week for a grade of up to 8 points.
Sample Concept Documents
- Producers should be busy doing marketing research on your game proposal and keeping the rest of the Team on track with their respective duties.
- Lead Artists should be working on first draft artwork for their game.
- Technical Directors should start drafting their Technical Design Document and be working with their Lead Writer / Designer on developing the User Interface Flowchart.
- JOATs should be busy helping everyone else as agreed upon by the Team and assigned by the Producer.
Part IV: Course Textbook
Game Development Essentials: An Introduction
Chapter 12, Marketing & Maintenance: Pay particular attention to the section on Marketing (pages 370 to 378). You need to remain aware of, and sensitive to, the roles of marketing, sales, advertising, public relations, and promotion. Even if these people are not gamers and don’t “get” what your product is about, you must help them sell lots of copies of it!
