Spring 2020 Journal

Welcome Adventurers!

Below you will see your Quest Log. All the dates you see below are the "turn in dates," meaning you must have the quests in before you sign into your session on said date for full Experience Points.

Be mindful of naming schemes and where to turn in the quest.

Most quests, journey logs, and raids will be turned in on the "Quest Board" in the GoogleDrive class folder.

For your convenience, I linked the PDFs to the readings below:

TC: Technical Communication

AOGD: The Art of Game Design

CGTC: Computer Games and Technical Communication

What are we doing in session?

Nothing...we will not be physically meeting...

What quests are due?

Read: TC – Chapter 1: Introduction to Technical Communication (p. 1-17)

Read: AOGD – Preface & Chapter 1: In the Beginning, There is the Designer (p. xxxvii-9)

Do: “Hello, Avatar” (10xp)

Do: Make a name tag using 8.5" x 11"

Extended Quest Explanation:

"Hello, Avatar"

10xp

What is an avatar? How do avatars function? Read this excerpt before starting your quest:
From Hello Avatar: Rise of the Networked Generation
“In contemporary language an avatar is a computer-generated figure controlled by a person via a computer. It is often a graphical representation of a person with which one can interact in real-time. I make the case for an expanded definition of avatar that includes a wider array of media forms and platforms such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), instant messaging (IM) and short message service or text messaging (SMS), and uses of social and locative media. I argue a broader scope of avatar activity in order to understand better how we are engaging current networked media.

I use the term ‘networked media’ to describe technologies that are connected to a distributed transmission network such as the Internet or cell towers. In such a case, ‘networked’ speaks to a technical affordance. However, I also use the term to invoke a cultural sense of connectivity with one another. Network theory outlines a set of behaviors to which a variety of systems—technical, natural, or social—adhere. One of the primary characteristics of a network is it's distributed rather than hierarchical structure. As opposed to a regimented order, network connections can happen across nodal points in a multitude of directions. A networked gathering then, as I attribute it, involves both a technical and cultural sense of ‘networked.’ In the cultural dimension of network, the great shift I see is the connection between online and offline experiences.”
(Coleman, 2011, p. 12).
--

You are you create an avatar. This avatar can be drawn, digitally altered, downloaded from an app, or created on a website. The goal is to create an avatar for yourself that can be displayed on a “playful” company website. What can you use to accentuate your personality, interests, or disciplinary identity? Here are some guidelines to follow:

It can’t be just a simple photograph. If you want to use a photo, alter it in some way. You can use any number of programs to add icons, images, or draw on it. There are also apps that allow you to cartoonify your photo.
The image must only have one subject in it (no group pictures).
This avatar should be workplace appropriate.
Your avatar can be changed in a couple weeks.
You can use an app, website, or other means to modify. What about avatarmaker.com; avachara.com; bitmoji.com; placeit.net; doppelme.com; charactercreator.org; or others?

Some Examples:

After you create your avatar, choose a picture of yourself that you like the most (your “best self”) or a professional headshot, and then take a selfie straight on. Upload these images side-by-side in a GoogleDoc. Underneath, include the following:

Your name as you would want it displayed on a professional website.
Why did you choose the avatar that you did? What app, website, or process did you use to do it?
Comparing the two selfies and the avatar, what do these images say about you as a person? As a student? As a professional? Which one would you use and where?
Take the Myers Briggs test*** (click HEREor HERE).
Are you surprised by the classification of the Myers Briggs test? Why is it different? What were your percentages? (screenshot the results)

Answer all of these questions in a list. Try to answer each question in a full, meaningful way. Use this personal writing as a way to reflect on yourself and what versions of yourself you are putting out there. The total composition should be at least 300 words, but you can write as much as you like.

After you answer everything in your GoogleDoc, title it "Last Name - Hello, Avatar" and upload the link to the "Quest Board" in the class folder.

***Even if you already know your Myers Briggs identification, please take the test and record your percentages.

What are we doing in session?

Avatars & Specializations
What is Technical Writing?
What is design and designed experience
Lecture

What quests are due?

Read: AOGD - Chapter 2 (p. 9-24)

Read: CGTC – Introduction (p. 1-16)

Make sure to bring reading notes!

Do: Journey Log 1

Extended Quest Explanation:

Journey Log 1 - Course Understandings

10xp

*Make sure to check the extended explanations of Journey Logs under the "journey log" section of this site.

Create an Adobe Spark page using the guidelines under "Journey Log" on the course site. After doing the headers for your first JL, reflect on the following:

After having several introductory readings about Technical Communication, Design, and Designed Experience, how would you describe the relationship between technical writing and game design? Answer the following questions in separate paragraphs:

What is your definition of technical writing/communication?
What are some examples of technical writing in specific games you've played or researched?
What is the connection between technical writing and game design?
Why is "designed experience" being used in this class?

In at least 500 words, reflect on these questions and make sure you cite any sources you use by using the URL: i.e. (citation).

(Don't worry about specializations yet!)

What are we doing in session?

Analyzing Technical Communication
Lecture Notes

What quests are due?

Read:CGTC – Chapter 1 (p. 17-40)

Read: AOGD–Chapters 3 (p. 24-32)

Do: Bring in a Manual you have used

Extended Quest Information

Bring in a manual

Bring in a physical or digital manual that you have used in the past. This can be a software, mechanical, or game manual. We will be using them in class to discuss rhetorical analysis.

What are we doing in session?

Explain Raid 1
Analyzing Software Technically

What quests are due?

Read: TC – Chapter 5: Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose (p. 84-112)

Read: Stuart A. Selber's introduction to Rhetorics and Technologies (p. 1-7 [ending with "part 2"])

(Full book can be read for free here)

Do: Journey Log 2: Basic Analysis

Extended Quest Information

Journey Log 2: Basic Analysis

10xp

First, make sure you have your specialization noted!

I want you to reflect on what you've learned and what we've discussed in class so far. Has this changed your perspective of technical documents? Do you now think of documentation in a different way?

Choose any piece of technical documentation and do a short analysis of purpose, audience, and technical design.

Make sure to follow the formatting under the journey log instructions.

What are we doing in session?

Designing an Infographic
Illustrator Basics

What quests are due?

Read: TC – Chapter 7: Organizing your Writing (p. 146-168)

Read:TC – Chapter 8: Communicating Persuasively (p. 170-191) (skim)

Do: Download Adobe Illustrator

I also recommend downloading the whole creative cloud: HERE

*note: you need to log into Adobe.com first, then click on this link.

What are we doing in session?

Defining Games
Gaming Experiences

What quests are due?

Read: AOGD–Chapters 6 & 7 (p. 57 - 89)

Do: Work on Raid 1

Do: "Four Logos" Quest

Extended Question Explanation

Four Logos

10xp

For this quest, you will use Adobe Illustrator to create four (4) logos/icons using image trace and put them against a two-tone background. There are two ways to do this:

Use thenounproject.com and select four different icons. Bring each one individually into Illustrator using Image Trace (see below). You can alter the vector and/or colors to your liking. Arrange them with colored shapes behind them (to enhance contrast) and make sure the background of the art board is two tone (two different colors).
Using Image Trace, bring in four different images (aim for ones that are less complex) and vectorize them. Remember, you can play with the presets to a desired color or colorless effect. After you "expand" the image, shrink them to roughly the same size and put them on the art board in a line with a colored background.

Image Trace tips: After you bring in the image, click on "Image Trace" at the top of the screen or under quick actions. You can play with the presets "3 Colors, Shades of Gray, silhouette, etc." After you have the image the way you want it, make sure you click "expand" at the top or right. Once done, you can select individual paths with the direct selection arrow (white).

Export: To export, click on File > Export > Export As. Make sure you are saving it as a PNG (bottom box). Change Resolution to be "High (300 ppi).

Make sure you export this as a .png file, name it "Last Name - Four Logos," and put it both in the appropriate folder and link it to the Quest board.

What are we doing in session?

Extended Game Design Discussion
Exploring Game Manuals
(Make sure you are caught up on readings. If it is clear people didn't do the readings, we will have a quiz)
Notes & Notes

What quests are due?

Readings:

Do: "Hi, My Name Is..." Quest 15xp

Extended Quest Information

Journey Log 3 - Dream Game

For Journey Log 3, I want you to write about your dream game. The readings and discussions so far in class have been about general concepts and reminiscing about games we played when we were younger. If I asked you what would your dream game be, what would that look like?

For this JL, I want you to use the genre your team has decided on come up with some ideas for a dream game. A dream game is something you would make if you had unlimited resources and the skill to design the game. Answer the following using a Habit of Mind and your Specialization:

What is the name of the game?
What is the genre?
What is a small summary of it?
What makes this game unique?
What do you do in the game? What are the mechanics/functions?
What is the story behind it? Why is it your dream game?

Hi, My Name Is... Quest

15xp

So, we went over video editing through Premiere Rush in class. This is a very basic video editor with some cool advanced features thrown in. For your intro into video editing, I want you to create a "Hi, My Name Is" video, also known as a personal introduction video.

Using a camera (phone, video camera, DSLR, or webcam), capture footage of your day. It doesn't have to showcase every aspect of your day, but capture footage that showcases who you are and what you do on a daily basis! You should have a lot of shots of yourself, not just outward facing of people around you. There is equipment in the Library that can be taken out (cameras, stabilizers for phones, mics, and more!). Make sure you have the following in your video:

A mix of video of yourself and others.
Both you talking to the camera and voice over throughout.
Voice explaining who you are, interests, major, classes, etc. (up to you)
A title and closing card (text)
Royalty free music

After all this is done, make sure you upload the video to Youtube (cannot use your school account) and set it to "unlisted" so nobody else can search for it. Put the link into a GoogleDoc along with snapshots of the timeline from inside Rush, and a short, minimum 250 word reflection about the filming and editing process. Make sure you put the Doc in the class folder and on the Quest Board!

What are we doing in session?

Photoshop Basics
Moving towards the pitch for the game

What quests are due?

Do: Install Adobe Photoshop

Read: TC - Chapter 12 - Creating Graphics (p. 294 - 336)

Do: Journey Log 4 - Impressive Design

Extended Quest Information

Journey Log 4 - Impressive Design

10xp

For Journey Log 4, I want you to think about the manuals, lectures on technical communication and game design, and your beginning research into making a game. What do you think is important about composing a technical document such as the Game Design Document or the gam's Manual? We've talked about both of them in detail, so what is important to your genre of game?

Choose a manual(s) that you think are designed well or not well. What makes them good/bad? What do you want to emulate for your own design? What could/would you do differently?

Remember to use your specialization (you can change it at this point to a different one if you like) and your Habits of Mind. Reflect on your journey so far and the technical information above.

What are we doing in session?

Media Overview
Work towards Game Pitch and GDD

What quests are due?

Read: TC - Chapter 20 - Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instruction (p. 533 - 573)

Do: Great Gaming Graphics Give Good (G)feelings 15xp

Extended Quest Information

Great Gaming Graphics Give Good (G)feelings

15xp

Last session we went over how to take out backgrounds from images and some effects to alter the image itself. Several weeks ago we went over Illustrator and how to use Image Trace to make images your own. For this quest, I want you to design one of the following using public domain or creative commons images:

Playing Card (Front and Back)
Game Box (Front or Back)
Game Manual (Front)

This may seem like a difficult quest, but I have many helpful articles for inspiration:

I want you to create one of the above types of media (for your game or not) and upload the image into a Google Doc with an explanation of why you made the design choices that you did. Even though it is creative commons or public domain, please provide links to your image sources. When done, name the document "Last Name - 6Gs" and put it in the appropriate folder and on the Quest Board. Oh, and have fun!

What are we doing in session?

InDesign Tutorial for Class

What quests are due?

Do: Install Adobe InDesign

Do: Do you want to build a game, (wo)man? - 15xp

Do: Journey Log 5 - Making Moves

Extended Quest Information

Do you want to build a game, (wo)man?

15xp - Guild Challenge

We are at the halfway mark, so it is time to show what you got!

In a GoogleDoc, I want you to include your Company Logo, Game Logo, Company and Game Name, your 100 word description of the game, and any artwork you have created! This doesn't have to be heavily formatted, but this is to prove to me that you have been working steadily on the game. Guild Leaders, please put all team members' names at the top. Name the document "Guild Name - Do you want to build." Make sure it is in YOUR GUILD FOLDER. The Guild Leaders should link it to the Quest Board under their name only.

Journey Log 5 - Making Moves

10XP

Ok, So we are at Week 5 of the project. We are HALFWAY THROUGH! So, where are you at? How has the process been? Show me what you've been working on. Do you have process pictures, video, or documents? At the bottom of the journey log, make a bullet list of what has been going well and what your biggest anxieties are about Raid 2.

What are we doing in session?

How to Run a Session
Playing Dungeon World
(Please be on time!)

What quests are due?

Do: Adventuring through InDesign 15XP

Do: Journey Log 6 - Word Processing

Extended Quest Information

Adventuring through InDesign

15xp

(Student Examples)

InDesign is a fantastic program for making text centric documents for print and digital environments. We went over the basics in class which can also be found (refreshed) through this video (HERE). Now, here is the quest:

As a technical exercise, I want everyone to create a "Character Sheet" in InDesign. The core things you need to include are Attributes, Racial Statistics, and Skills in addition to some images/icons (Shown in the PDF example). Anything extra you find on the examples can be ignored or done for bonus points. If you want to find more examples, you can Google "Player Card Sheets" and you will find thousands.

I have attached a PDF that shows examples of each specialization (Warrior, Ranger, Bard, and Wizard/Spellcaster). All the graphics were either found on the Noun Project site or they were photos that I used Image Trace on from Illustrator (use silhouette setting).

We will use these sheets for a class activity on running gaming sessions for playtesting. I have instructions for how to play the game (which we will go over in class). If you have any questions, let me know! This should be fun to do. HAVE FUN WITH IT!

(Note: "Created Examples" are the sheets I made in InDesign. "Official Sheets" are the sheets that came with the game. "Sheets Explained..." is a single sheet annotated with comments to help explain the assignment a bit more.)

Created Examples

Official Sheets

Sheet Explained with comments

Journey Log 6 - Word Processing

10XP

Most of us grew up using word processing programs (Word, Pages, Docs). Technically, InDesign is a word processing program with a lot more control of the page for images, colors, and shapes. InDesign is typically used in classes for yearbooks, magazines, and flyers. It can seem like a complicated program at first, but should be relatively easy to use once you get the hang of it.

For your journey log, I want you to reflect on your use of word processors and InDesign. I recommend doing the quest first before the journey log so you can reflect on that process. Do you think this is a useful program? Easy to use? How does it compare to other word processing programs?

Don't forget your Habit of Mind or your Specialization.

What are we doing in session?

Guild Meetings
Development Diary and GDD Check-in

What quests are due?

Do: What the GDD? (Guild Challenge) 15xp

Extended Quest Information

What the GDD?

15xp

Guild Challenge!

We are getting close to the game being in a playable state. After Spring Break you are required to bring a playable version of the game in for testing. To make sure the mechanics and game pieces are done, you are required to bring in part fo the GDD. When I say part, I mean that you should have information for each of the following sections:

Short & Long description of game.
Gameplay section explaining Primary Design Elements (key features); Mechanics; Dynamics (how players see and use mechanics); Level/Board design
List of some artwork. Include author when possible (Author name - Name of Piece - Hyperlink) Can be a chart
User Interface or System (what does the player see?)
Target Audience and social purpose/commentary

I will be walking around and meeting with each guild to see the GDD and find out the status of the game.

Zoom Meeting: Clemson.zoom.us/my/engl3140

Advanced Video Editing

If you are using Premiere Pro to do advanced editing for your Betamax, Pitch, tutorial, or anything else, here are some ways to engage in advanced editing: HERE

What is Due?

-The Alpha, not Omega due (alpha game packet)

-Journey Log 7

Further Quest Explanation:

The Alpha, not Omega

(One per team)

This is the alpha game packet. The packet should be a folder in your guild folder named "Alpha, not Omega" which will include:

-any board images

-any cards to be printed (in template)

-an image of all components needed to play (dice, figures, timers, etc.)

-A manual

-A reference sheet (if needed)

-player sheets (if needed)

Essentially, anything needed to play the game should be included.

Journey Log 7 - Pandemic Pedagogies

(no specialization required)

Things have been crazy over the last several weeks. I want you to reflect on how the transition has been. Are your other classes transitioning well? What has been frustrating, helpful, soul crushing, or delightful in this process? Feel free to engage in this however you see fit (images, text, videos, artistic dance, etc.).

Zoom Meeting: Clemson.zoom.us/my/engl3140

What is due?

-Betamax video

-Journey Log 8

Further Quest Information:

Betamax Video

(one per team)

Please create a video walkthrough of your game (up to 5 - 15 minutes) showing your game being played and upload it to the Discussion Board on Canvas titled: "Guild Number - Name - Betamax"

The video should address the audience and have a short introduction to the game (what it is, how it plays, how to win). Then, you should demonstrate playing the game and narrate what you are doing for at least a round to give the audience an idea of what the game is like. Finally, end the video by asking the audience for advice on an aspect of the game (mechanic, turn order, etc.).

After the Betamax videos are uploaded, you will have until the end of day on Friday, April 10 to leave feedback (each student on each game).

Journey Log 8 - The Game

(no specialization required)

You are nearing the end of the game design process. COVID-19 put a huge wrench into the design process, but I want you to talk about what it has been like to design the game, work through ideas, and put it together in a playable format. What is your honest opinion of the process?

Zoom Meeting: Clemson.zoom.us/my/engl3140

By the end of the day on April 10...

please leave feedback on each team's videos. Feedback should be substantial. Things to think about:

What does the team ask for help with at the end of the video?
Does the game make playable sense?
What do you like about the game?
What do you think needs improvement?
What is something you would redesign?

Zoom Meeting: Clemson.zoom.us/my/engl3140

What is due:

-Betamax Report

-Game Packet (Target)

-Journey Log 9

Further Quest Information:

Betamax Report

(one per team)

Compile all the feedback you received on your game and write up a 400 word report on what was said (use short quotes), what you changed, and why you changed it. This report should also articulate any changes you made from the time you played it as a group, through the Beta video, and to the final state. Pleas name this appropriately and put it in your guild folder. The Guild Leader should also post this on the quest board.

Game Packet (Target)

This is a good target to have the final game packet in. Make a folder in your Guild Folder and call it "Final." Make sure EVERYTHING needed to play the game is included and properly labeled. Manuals, tutorials, walkthroughs, reference sheets, box art, boards, cards, and components should all be included! The final due date is April 21.

Journey Log 9

(no specialization required)

For your final journey log, I want you to reflect on your personal contributions to Raid 2. What did you do? What were your impressions of it from the start? Are you happy with the final product?

Zoom Meeting: Clemson.zoom.us/my/engl3140

What is due?

-Raid 2 is due

On the quest board, please provide a link to your Kickstarter Page. On this page, you should have images of all components for the game, embedded videos for the pitch, walkthrough, and tutorials, and all marketing materials.

In the folder, you should have mp4s of all the videos and ALL other aspects to be turned in for Raid 2 in the "Final" folder.

Zoom Meeting: Clemson.zoom.us/my/engl3140

YOU MADE IT TO THE LAST DAY!

What is due?

-Raid 3 (optional)

Course Reflection

Now that you have reflected on the coursework, your raids, and the experience of the semester, it is time to reread all of your reflections and see how you have changed as a thinker, writer, and innovator. Please reflect on the following:

Reflect on the four most important Habits of Mind:
- Why are they important? How did they help you this semester? What will they continue to do for you in the future?
What did you like about the course?
What do you think needs improvement?
Are you more ambitious or less apprehensive about using digital production software for projects or personal use?
What is your definition and understanding of Technical Writing? How do you see yourself using it in the future?
What is your overall experience with making videos, games, and technical documents?

Bonus: Take the Myers Briggs test again and see if it has changed. What does this change (or consistency) say about you?

This should be about 500 words, but remember to break up the text with headings, images, and videos.

Please put this at the very bottom of your Journey Log.