ICT Computer Science and Digital BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Assessment Instrument

Research and compare Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3 Start Date: 16/09/13 Date of Issue: 16/09/13 Assessor: Anthony Bowman Interim Deadline: 18/11/13 Submission Deadline: 20/01/14 Internal Verifier: Adam White

Units/elements covered by this brief: Unit 1: Research for Creative Media Production Learning Outcomes To achieve this unit a learner must: 1 Know about research methods and techniques 2 Be able to use research methods and techniques to investigate an existing media product 3 Be able to use research methods and techniques to gather material for a media production 4 Be able to present results of research. Aim and purpose The key challenge of this brief is to research both companies thoroughly using qualitative primary and quantitative secondary sources. You will use interviews, observations, questionnaires; surveys, focus groups to collate your findings and present your conclusions in an audio-visual presentation. This is an assignment that a market research team would undertake within a major console company when choosing to purchase video games to be released under their licensed name. Creative Requirements Your work can be as broad as you think fits with the product and the target audience. You might want to think about all, or a combination of, or just focus on some of the elements below: Task One Research and collate the history of both Sony and Microsofts adventure into the gaming console market. (LO: P2 as secondary source example for P1 and M1) Task Two Collect images of various consoles, games, and screenshots for live experience, movement and accessories. (LO: P2 as secondary source example for P1 and M1) Task Three Produce market research on preferences of console and game using gender, age, genre, period of time they have been playing, how often the use it, what is their favourite game and do they use online facilities. (LO: P2, M2 and as primary source example for P1 and M1) Task Four Survey shops for selling information of both consoles and games and gather their opinions. (LO: P2, M2 and as primary source example for P1 and M1) Task Five

Design a mood board for each company that sums up all information collated, including: images and information to present findings. (LO: P4)

Task Six Create a presentation of findings that is informative and conclusive in your debate of which is the better console. (LO: P4, M4 and D4) Task Seven Research 5 future games for a proposed media product (Interactive Advert) and list the essentials and plan and produce the elements needed to create it. Then research and create all elements needed i.e. animated gifs, banners, information, design boards, video and sound (LO: P3) Task Eight Looking at the 4 different research methods, create a word document that outlines what they are, and use the examples from the task work to describe and evaluate you methods. (LO:P1, M1 and D1. For a distinction you will independently research a wide range of sources from primary and secondary source. Your findings will be professional and completely thorough to reach an unbiased conclusion of your findings. Suggested Reading: Baylis P and Procter N BTEC Level 2 First Creative Media Production, Student Book (Pearson, 2010) ISBN 978-1846906732 Baylis P, Freedman A and Procter N BTEC Level 2 First Creative Media Production, Teaching Resource Pack (Pearson, 2010) ISBN 978-1846907364 Baylis P, Holmes P and Starkey G BTEC First Media (Heinemann, 2007) ISBN 9780435464707 Berger A Media Research Techniques, 2nd Edition (Sage, 1998) ISBN 9780761915379 Hall K and Holmes P BTEC First in Media: A Practical Handbook (Edexcel, 2007) ISBN 978-1846901980 Stokes J How to do Media and Cultural Studies (Sage, 2003) ISBN 978-0761973294 Websites: http://www.xbox.com/en-GB http://www.xbox.com:80/en-US/ http://www.computerandvideogames.com/131066/hardware/the-complete-history-of-xbox/ http://uk.playstation.com/ http://us.playstation.com/ http://www.cyberiapc.com/vgg/sony_ps.htm http://www.game.co.uk/ http://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?pGroupID=6

The Greyed out area will indicate criteria achieved. Grading criteria for Unit 1 Criteria covered Pass P1 outline research methods and techniques Scenario Tasks Research the 4 research methods, Primary, Secondary, Quantitative and Qualitative and give a definition of what they are and how you will use them. Assessment methods A word document outlining what research methods were undertaken and what theses different research methods are known as.

P2 use appropriate research methods and techniques to carry out research into an existing media product [IE]

Design a word document and a mood board for each company that sums up all information collated, including: images and information to present findings.

A document of research and a digital design board of information and images on both Sony and Microsoft.

P3 use appropriate research methods and techniques to carry out research for a proposed media production [IE] P4 present research results.

Plan an interactive advert for up and coming games for 2012 researching all attributes needed for the production of advert. Produce market research on preferences of console and game using gender, age, genre, period of time they have been playing, how often the use it, what is their favourite game and do they use online facilities.

A folder of images and informative documents on an interactive advert of 5 future games for 2012. A word document on the peer questions. A word document presenting your conclusions form research and surveys carried out.

Merit M1 describe research methods and techniques with some detail and with reference to appropriate illustrative examples

Whilst researching Sony and Microsofts venture into consoles, describe what research methods you have used when creating information, design boards and surveys. Create a shop survey of most consoles, games and accessories sold and bought and create excel documents of charts to show evidence more clearly.

A word document of the research you undertook giving detailed examples of what they were.

M2 use research methods and techniques competently to carry out reliable research into an existing media product

A word document of the information gathered with Pie charts and Bar charts of results. An organised folder of research and results.

M3 use research methods and techniques competently to carry out reliable research for a proposed media production

Research 5 future games for a proposed media product (Interactive Advert) and list the essentials and plan and produce the elements needed to create it. Describe findings and techniques used to form a conclusion using illustrative examples. Collate information gathered from Surveys, research and interviews carried out and reference all materials, then and create bar and pie charts for ease of understanding results. Hand in relevant information organise in folders on a CD.

A folder of research gathered, in relation to an interactive advert including examples of elements needed. Design boards of website templates and elements used from research collected.

M4 competently present research results with some detail.

Presentation of findings in an excel document with a full conclusion from results gathered in an evaluation.

Distinction D1 evaluate research methods and techniques with reference to precise and detailed illustrative examples For a distinction you will independently research a wide range of sources from primary and secondary source. Your findings will be professional and completely thorough to reach an unbiased conclusion of your findings. Research examples of all elements used for the proposed creation of an interactive advert for up and coming games for 2014. Including navigation and layouts based on pre-existing flash adverts with reference to sites used and collecting of findings in digital formats.

Evaluate fully all research undertaken using the correct method with a detailed example of how you used each and for what purpose.

Independently produce an online survey to a large number of gamers. Create mock webpages from elements researched. You will need to gain opinion of your proposed website from your peers to form a conclusion of success. Presentation of findings in PowerPoint with a full conclusion from your evaluation. Independently produce work, which is accurate, highly detailed and focused on the research and presentation of your findings for the comparing of the PS3 vs. Xbox 360 and your secondary research on Sony and Microsofts adventures into the gaming console market.

D2 use research methods and techniques skilfully to carry out substantial research into an existing media product

D3 use research methods and techniques skilfully to carry out substantial research for a proposed media production D4 skilfully present research results with substantial detail.

Key IE independent enquirers CT creative thinkers RL reflective learners TW team workers SM self-managers EP effective participators Please Note: All work should be completed and handed in to the assessor on or before the deadline shown.

This brief has been checked prior to being issued to students: Assessors Signatures: anthonybowman@liv-coll.ac.uk Date: 02/09/13

Internal Verifiers Signature: adam.white@liv-coll.ac.uk

Date: 02/09/13

Assessment Feedback Sheet:

Comments Assessment Criteria For Unit 12 P1 outline research methods and techniques P2 use appropriate research methods and techniques to carry out research into an existing media product [IE] P3 use appropriate research methods and techniques to carry out research for a proposed media production [IE] P4 present research results. M1 describe research methods and techniques with some detail and with reference to appropriate illustrative examples. M2 use research methods and techniques competently to carry out reliable research into an existing media product. M3 use research methods and techniques competently to carry out reliable research for a proposed media production. M4 competently present research results with some detail. D1 evaluate research methods and techniques with reference to precise and detailed illustrative examples. D2 use research methods and techniques skillfully to carry out substantial research into an existing media product. D3 use research methods and techniques skillfully to carry out substantial research for a proposed media production. D4 skillfully present research results with substantial detail.

Grade:
Achieved

I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged.

sessors Assessors signature: Students signature:

Date: Date: