Standards in this Framework
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| 1.1.1 | Compare different game development methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, and Scrum). |
| 1.1.2 | Investigate the core stages of game development (concept, pre-production, production, testing, and post-production) |
| 1.1.3 | Analyze roles and responsibilities within a game development team (designers, programmers, artists, sound engineers, and testers). |
| 1.1.4 | Investigate various career paths in the game industry (e.g., Game Designer, Programmer, Level Designer, Artist, and Producer). |
| 1.2.1 | Create a game design document outlining game mechanics, storyline, characters, levels, and UI elements. |
| 1.2.2 | Develop a project plan to guide development from conception through post-production. |
| 1.2.3 | Investigate project management tools (e.g., Trello, Jira, and Asana) to track progress, manage tasks, and facilitate collaboration. |
| 1.3.1 | Create and maintain a game development portfolio showcasing completed projects, design documents, and development logs. |
| 1.3.2 | Create technical documentation for games (e.g., installation guides and user manuals). |
| 1.3.3 | Identify ethical considerations in game development (e.g., age-appropriate content, microtransactions, and addiction prevention). |
| 2.1.1 | Analyze different game genres and their defining characteristics (e.g., action, strategy, RPG, and simulation). |
| 2.1.2 | Investigate game design elements (e.g., mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics) to create engaging player experiences. |
| 2.1.3 | Design and balance game systems that create meaningful player choices and consequences. |
| 2.1.4 | Design player interactions and controls, considering the target audience and platform. |
| 2.1.5 | Develop and refine game mechanics through iterative prototyping and playtesting. |
| 2.2.1 | Create engaging game narratives and character arcs. |
| 2.2.2 | Implement dialogue systems and cutscene sequences. |
| 2.2.3 | Design systems for player choice and branching narratives. |
| 2.2.4 | Create tutorials and learning curves that effectively introduce game mechanics. |
| 2.2.5 | Design difficulty progression and challenge balancing. |
| 2.2.6 | Implement achievement and reward systems to enhance player engagement. |
| 3.1.1 | Implement object-oriented programming concepts (e.g., inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation) to structure game components. |
| 3.1.2 | Create and manage data structures for game systems (e.g., arrays, dictionaries, and lists) to store and organize game data. |
| 3.1.3 | Apply control structures (e.g., loops, conditionals, and events) to drive game mechanics and logic. |
| 3.1.4 | Implement design patterns common in game development (e.g., Observer, State, and Singleton) to promote scalable and maintainable code. |
| 3.1.5 | Develop modular and reusable code components for game features to improve efficiency and reduce redundancy. |
| 3.1.6 | Apply optimization techniques (e.g., object pooling and resource management) to improve game performance and minimize resource consumption. |
| 3.2.1 | Design and program player movement and camera systems, ensuring smooth transitions and dynamic player feedback. |
| 3.2.2 | Implement input handling systems for multiple control schemes (e.g., keyboard/mouse, controllers, and touch input) with customizable key bindings. |
| 3.2.3 | Program interactive object mechanics (e.g., pickups, triggers, environmental effects, and character interactions) using event-driven logic. |
| 3.2.4 | Apply game physics (e.g., gravity, object forces, and rigid body dynamics) to simulate realistic gameplay. |
| 3.2.5 | Implement robust collision detection and resolution techniques using game engine tools or custom algorithms to ensure accurate interactions. |
| 3.2.6 | Design and manage game object lifecycle systems (e.g., instantiation, destruction, and object pooling) to optimize dynamic gameplay interactions. |
| 3.3.1 | Program game win/loss conditions and their resulting game states. |
| 3.3.2 | Develop and implement scoring systems, player progression, and feedback mechanisms (e.g., achievements and rewards). |
| 3.3.3 | Create and manage AI systems (e.g., utilizing behavior trees, state machines, and pathfinding algorithms) for non-player characters. |
| 3.3.4 | Design and implement game state management systems to handle transitions between menus, gameplay, and other states seamlessly. |
| 3.3.5 | Create save/load systems for preserving player progress. |
| 3.4.1 | Develop networked gameplay features (e.g., multiplayer synchronization and client-server architecture) for local and online play. |
| 3.4.2 | Implement performance monitoring and optimization systems to identify and address bottlenecks in rendering, physics, or AI processing. |
| 3.4.3 | Develop systems for handling asynchronous events, such as background asset loading, dynamic content updates, and network requests. |
| 4.1.1 | Explain the role of visual elements (e.g., characters, environments, and objects) in creating immersive game experiences. |
| 4.1.2 | Investigate different art styles (e.g., pixel art, 3D modeling, and animation) and their impact on aesthetics and performance. |
| 4.1.3 | Apply color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy to create visually appealing game scenes. |
| 4.1.4 | Create or acquire game assets (e.g., 2D sprites, 3D models, textures, and sound effects) aligned with the game's art style. |
| 4.1.5 | Utilize software tools (e.g., Blender, Gimp, and Audacity) to edit, optimize, and export game assets. |
| 4.1.6 | Import and integrate game assets into the game engine, ensuring proper organization and file management. |
| 4.2.1 | Design UI elements (e.g., menus, health bars, and inventory screens) that are user-friendly and visually consistent. |
| 4.2.2 | Implement UI elements within the game engine, ensuring proper layout, navigation, and responsiveness. |
| 4.2.3 | Conduct UI testing to gather feedback on usability and accessibility, iterating on UI design based on user feedback. |
| 5.1.1 | Explain the importance of game testing in identifying bugs, ensuring quality, and improving gameplay. |
| 5.1.2 | Conduct different types of testing (e.g., functionality, usability, compatibility, and performance) throughout development. |
| 5.1.3 | Document and report bugs effectively, providing clear steps to reproduce and prioritize bug fixes. |
| 5.1.4 | Utilize debugging tools within the game engine to identify and resolve errors. |
| 5.1.5 | Implement debugging and logging systems to facilitate error tracking and troubleshooting during development. |
| 5.2.1 | Investigate different game distribution platforms (e.g., Steam, Itch.io, and mobile app stores) and their publishing requirements. |
| 5.2.2 | Analyze legal and ethical considerations of game publishing (e.g., copyright, intellectual property, and content ratings). |
| 5.2.3 | Evaluate marketing and promotion strategies for games. |
| 6.1.1 | Recognize common security threats in games (e.g., hacking, cheating, piracy, and data breaches) and their impact on gameplay and users. |
| 6.1.2 | Investigate secure coding principles, encryption, and authentication methods to protect game assets, user data, and communications. |
| 6.1.3 | Investigate risks specific to online multiplayer games (e.g., DDoS attack and account takeovers) and strategies to mitigate those risks. |
| 6.1.4 | Investigate compliance with data privacy laws (e.g., COPPA and GDPR) in game development. |
| 6.1.5 | Apply secure coding standards, data validation, and game engine security features to prevent vulnerabilities and exploits. |
| 7.1.1 | Investigate the use of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality in games and their impact on gameplay. |
| 7.1.2 | Investigate procedural generation and AI in game design and development. |
| 7.1.3 | Investigate emerging platforms and technologies for game development (e.g., cloud gaming and web3). |
| 7.1.4 | Evaluate the impact of new technologies on game design and player experience. |
