UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2016/2017
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
APPLIED COMPUTING
BAC2406 GAME INTERFACE DESIGN
FULLTIME
ORDINARY EXAMINATIONS
DATE: AUGUST, 2017 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE [30 MARKS]
a) “A game is a closed, formal system that engages players in a structured conflict and
resolves its uncertainty in an unequal outcome”. Explain the keywords that have been
italicized in this definition (3 Marks)
b) Identify THREE characteristics of a game (3 Marks)
c) Discuss the three main components of the MDA framework (6 Marks)
d) Explain how the following concepts can be incorporated into a game:
i) Evolutionary roots
ii) Gender considerations
iii) Edutainment (6 Marks)
d) Explain the usability design process for a typical game (6 Marks)
e) List any SIX techniques for capturing a user’s attention during a game (6 Marks)
QUESTION TWO [20 MARKS]
a) List any FOUR things that players expect in a game (4 Marks)
b) Briefly discuss THREE key areas of research into game design (6 Marks)
c) Direct manipulation interface is a popular style for gaming interfaces:
i) Explain any FOUR characteristics of direct manipulation interfaces (4 Marks)
ii) Which are the problems that characterize this style? (2 Marks)
d) Explain the following game design terms:
i) Ludology (2 Marks)
ii) Narratology (2 Marks)
QUESTION THREE [20 MARKS]
a) Identify THREE typical game programming mistakes (3 Marks)
b) Describe the following aspects of the GOMS interface design model
i) Goals (2 Marks)
ii) Operators (2 Marks)
iii) Methods (2 Marks)
iv) Selection rules (2 Marks)
b) Identify any FOUR basic expectations that a game designer must consider (4 Marks)
c) Describe the GOMS model of game interface design and identify any THREE
characteristics (5 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR [20 MARKS]
a) Using an appropriate example, explain the following steps in brainstorming a game:
i) Expansion
ii) Collection
iii) Collision (6 Marks)
b) The keystroke level model (KLM) is a simple approach to user interface design. Describe
the steps involved in modeling KLM (7 Marks)
c) Consider the following standard execution times of processes to execute a game:
K – key press (0.2 sec )
P – point with mouse (1.1 sec)
B – mouse button press (0.1 sec)
BB – press and release button (0.2 sec)
H – home hands to keyboard or mouse (0.4 sec)
M – mental act of thinking (1.2 sec)
Required:
i) Design the process involved in dealing 3 suitable cards to each of 2 players, where
each card is dragged from the deck and given to the player, and the “Accept” button
is clicked for a player to accept the 2 cards. (4 Marks)
ii) Calculate the time involved for this process. Show your calculations (3 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE [20 MARKS]
a) Describe the concept of non-linearity with respect to games (2 Marks)
b) The command line interface is commonly used in games.
i) Which aspects can make a command language easier to learn? Discuss. (3 Marks)
ii) Design a model for a user task that employs the command-language interface (5 Marks)
c) Explain any TWO components required for a successful virtual reality app (2 Marks)
d) Discuss any FOUR guidelines for designing menu items in a gaming interface (8 Marks)
