EMS Creative iMedia Cambridge Nationals

1. Software
Lesson 6

2.  Know how to pick out key features in software
 Understand possible capabilities and limitations
 Be able to research a range of game creation software
Lesson Goals
#capabilities
#limitations

3. Marking
Marks Learning Objective
1 – 3
Pass
Summary of the capabilities and limitations of a limited
range of 2D and 3D software used for digital game creation,
demonstrate limited understanding.
4 – 6
Merit
Summary of the capabilities and limitations of a range of 2D
and 3D software used for digital game creation, demonstrate
sound understanding.
7 – 9
Distinction
Summary of the capabilities and limitations of a range of 2D
and 3D software used for digital game creation, demonstrate
thorough understanding.

4. Game Engines
How are game engines used and what do they do?
Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
#capabilities
#limitations

5.  Game engines are the things that make
any computer game possible as these
are the technology used to develop
computer games.
 The typical features of this type of
software allow the user to define
elements of a game such as:
 Functionality
 Graphics
 Gameplay
 Animation
 Sound
 Artificial Intelligence
Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
#capabilities
#limitations
Game Engine

6. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
Unreal
 The Unreal Engine is developed by Epic Games who create games for
mobiles, Windows, Mac, PlayStation, XBox and Wii.
 It was originally made just for FPS games but now includes tools to
develop other genres such as stealth and RPG games.
 The latest version (Unreal Engine 4) was released in 2012. #capabilities
#limitations

7. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
Source
 The Source Engine is developed by Valve Corporation who create
games for Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation and XBox.
 This engine was developed originally for FPS games and debuted in
2004 with Counter Strike and followed shortly by Half Life 2.
 Source also has a video capture and editing app built in. #capabilities
#limitations

8. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
RAGE (Rockstar Advanced)
#capabilities
#limitations
 The RAGE Engine is developed by Rockstar Games who create games
for Windows, Mac, PlayStation, XBox and Wii.
 There are other engines within RAGE such as the Euphoria character
animation engine and the Bullet physics engine.
 RAGE evolved from the Angel engine by Angel Studios.

9. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
CryEngine
 The CryEngine is developed by Crytek and can be used to create
games for Windows, PlayStation, XBox and Wii.
 Far Cry was the first game developed using the CryEngine as a demo
for Nvidia before being made into a proper game release.
 CryEngine is now onto it’s 4th Generation, released 2012. #capabilities
#limitations

10. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
Unity
 The Unity Engine is developed by Unity Technologies and can create
games for mobiles, Windows, Mac, PlayStation, XBox and Wii.
 Unity originally only supported development of OS X games in 2005
when it was released before become multi-platform.
 The free version of this engine has limited functionality. #capabilities
#limitations

11. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
Frostbite
 The Frostbite Engine is developed by Electronic Arts who create
games for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and XBox.
 Like the Unreal engine, it was originally made just for FPS games but
now allows other genres such as racing and strategy games.
 All games developed with Frostbite are published by EA. #capabilities
#limitations

12. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
Anvil
 The Anvil Engine is developed by UbiSoft who create games for
Windows, PlayStation, XBox and Wii.
 This engine is most popular for the Assassin’s Creed series but has
also developed in the sports genre with Shaun White Snowboarding.
 Anvil used to be developed under the name Scimitar. #capabilities
#limitations

13. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
IW Engine
 The IW Engine is developed by Infinity Ward who create games for
Windows, Mac, PlayStation, XBox and Wii.
 This engine is most popular for the Call of Duty series and was based
on iD Tech 3, the engine used to create Quake III Arena in 1999.
 Quantum of Solace is the only other game created so far. #capabilities
#limitations

14.  Choose one of the main game engines and research and
investigate the key features:
 Capabilities
 Limitations
Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
#capabilities
#limitations
Your Task
 List some of the main tools
available in the engine and
describe what they let you
create within the game.
 Review the ease of use of the
software and draw some
conclusions.

15. Understand capabilities & limits
Know key software features
#capabilities
#limitations
Keywords
 Capabilities
 Limitations
 Any tasks that the software being used can
realistically complete.
 Restrictions or things that the software is
unable to complete.