Learning Agreement

L E A R N I N G    A G R E E M E N T

Project Proposal                      

Name	Vernon Wroe
MA Course	Games Design
Date	30/10/19
Version Number	1
Project Title / Research Question	How are re-releases affecting the industry regarding design & creativity?
Proposed study / What?                                                                                                          (100 word limit)
I want to delve into game re-releases (in their many forms) and their effect on the industry in both a positive and negative way. I want to address and discuss this to find out; why, if its acceptable, what are its affects, how to improve this and study the outcome.
Rationale / Why?                                                                                                                    (100 word limit)
I want to bring attention to such a huge-yet fairly hushed-part of the industry; annual releases are dominated by such titles yet there is no discussion to this practise. Like for example: why do companies believe that a simple repackage of their software justifies the attention and the price tag associated with it? Remasters are typically just a cash-grab, whereas remakes take on the challenge of recreating a game. Both affect design and progression in an industry becoming saturated by these types of releases. I want to study and research the subject and bring light to situation impacting the industry.
Aim & Objectives                                                                                                                   (200 word limit)
The aim of my project is to shame effortless re-releases dubbed “remasters” by companies solely focused on financial returns. And instead demonstrate that with more time and effort a remake can be far more influential for the game / franchise and create better industry practises. In order to achieve this, I need to: ·         Better create the argument with comparisons as to what poor re-releases are. o    Then show good examples of remakes; remakes that have taken further steps to create something better than the sum of all its parts. o    Gather sales statistics are release schedules to show how many are releases over a period of time. o    Analyse both types by critiquing titles and discussing aspects of them such as design. o    Detail how I would re-create an old game, my choice and why. o    How I would test my premise ·         Remake a game of my choice ·         Setup a testing environment o    Probably have people play the first stage from the original and my remake o    Gauge responses in some form or another ·         Analyse results ·         Discussion on the whole premise, my journey, outcomes, my expected outcomes and conclusions
Plan / How?                                                                                           (250 word limit)
This semester (next 5 weeks) Learning Agreement Find 4-6 references / sources Write Literature Review Get Jim to review it asap Create testing parameters (focus on gameplay only) Finish stage (whitebox at least) Coins need to be collectable AI opponents Test game and get feedback Analyse feedback Next Semester Depending on feedback: Completely Finish Stage Create testing parameters (focus on game & aesthetics) Gather and analyse feedback Compare the two in relation to my Literature Review
Intended Outcomes of Project / What - solution?                                                                     (100 word limit)
I hope that through my research and project I can effectively demonstrate that re-releases are better off with a bit more attention being spent on them, instead of a lacklustre remaster. The industry needs focus being placed on this bad practise.
References
Cuff, S. (2017) 'Now You're Playing with Power: Nintendo and the Commodification of Nostalgia', Theses and Dissertations, 1459. Purnomo, S. et al (2019) 'PROSTHETIC TRANSLATION: RETRANSLATIONS OF VIDEO GAME REMAKES AND REMASTERS REFUTE RETRANSLATION HYPOTHESIS', DOI: 10.24036/humanus.

Student signature

Vernon Wroe