Analysis Project GAM 224, Prof. Robin Burke Spring 2005 Grade value: 30% What is it: Each student will perform an in-depth analysis of a single game title resulting in a three game analysis papers: one each on the dimensions of Rules, Play and Culture. Each paper will be approximately 5 pages (1200 words). This assignment will require substantial play-time with the title, sufficient to master basic game play and to encounter most of the game's components. (Playing the game all the way through would be ideal but not practical for most titles.) The paper on culture will require research into the game's community presence: fan sites, FAQ files, etc. Milestones: • 4/11: Submit (using Course On-Line – http://dlweb.cti.depaul.edu/) your choice of game for your game analysis paper. Type the name of the game into the "comment" box that appears for "Analysis Project Milestone #1", you do not need to upload a document. Indicate if the game is not one owned by the CTI Game Lab. • 5/2: "Rules" paper due (submit hard copy in class) • 5/16: "Play" paper due (submit hard copy in class) • 6/1: "Culture" paper due (submit hard copy in class) Hints • Be disciplined. Game play should only be about a quarter of the time you spend on this assignment, but it is easy to get "sucked in" by the game. If necessary, set a timer for 5-10 minutes, pause the game and take a break to take notes. Even if you are familiar with the game, do not rely on your memory – take notes during or immediately after game play. • These are formal papers and must be adequately documented. (See Footnoting section below.) You must cite in your footnotes all references used, including FAQs or strategy guides you used to play the game. If your paper includes an idea that is not original to you, such as the impressions of a game reviewer, you must provide a citation even if you rephrase what was said. Papers that are not adequately documented will be returned ungraded for a rewrite. • Your paper must have a thesis, a claim for which it is arguing, and an argument, statements supported by evidence that argue for the thesis. You cannot do this if you simply take the schemas from each chapter of the book and write something about each one. A paper that lacks a clear and supported thesis will be returned ungraded for a rewrite. Example thesis statement ("Play" category): "Chainsaw Chipmunks attempts in some ways to parody the fighting genre, but it is ultimately unsuccessful, due to excessive gore and lack of variety in opponents and tactics." A paper written to support this thesis would be organized around these points.Rubric: A = Exceptional • Reflects unusually thorough and comprehensive understanding of the game analysis schemas. • Analyzes, evaluates, and synthesizes evidence very effectively. • Presents a clearly articulated thesis and highly persuasive argument that is probing, creative and nuanced. • Reaches highly informed conclusions based on the evidence. • Includes all of the most relevant and significant supporting evidence. • Contains no factual inaccuracies. • Is very well focused and organized. • Is very well written and proofread with few to no errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc. • Is very well documented with no errors or omissions in citation. • Employs a mature vocabulary, is highly attentive to word choice, and uses metaphors effectively. B = Commendable • Reflects clear understanding of the game analysis schemas. • Analyzes, evaluates, and synthesizes evidence effectively. • Presents a clearly identifiable thesis and defensible argument. • Reaches informed conclusions based on the evidence. • Includes relevant and significant supporting evidence. • Contains only minor factual inaccuracies. • Is well focused and organized. • Is well written and proofread with few errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc. • Is well documented with few to no errors or omissions in citation. • Employs a relatively mature vocabulary, is attentive to word choice, and uses metaphors effectively. C = Competent • Reflects adequate understanding of the game analysis schemas. • Analyzes, evaluates, and synthesizes evidence somewhat effectively. • Presents a thesis and argument that are reasonable but unpersuasive, simplistic, superficial, or logically flawed. • Conclusions are reasonably well founded. • Includes some supporting evidence but not all of it relevant. • May have a major factual inaccuracy but most information is correct. • Demonstrates adequate focus and organization. • Is adequately written and proofread with some errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc. • Is adequately documented but may contain a minor errors or omissions in citation. • Employs a limited vocabulary and relatively unsophisticated narrative style. D = Limited Evidence of Achievement • Reflects poor understanding of the game analysis schemas. • Ineffectively analyzes, evaluates, and synthesizes evidence. • Thesis and argument are unclear and/or very superficial. • Reaches incomplete or inaccurate conclusions based on the evidence. • Omits most of the relevant evidence and includes information that is largely inaccurate. • Demonstrates inadequate focus and organization. • Is poorly written and proofread with many errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc. • Is poorly documented with many and/or serious errors and omissions in citation. • Employs a limited vocabulary and unsophisticated narrative style. F = Minimal Evidence of Achievement • Work that does not adequately meet ANY of the standards set forth above, or which is exceptionally inadequate in its thesis, ideas, evidence, writing, or documentation. In particular, an essay that merely summarizes the game's characteristics with respect to the analytic schemas.Footnoting: What, Why, When and How1 GAM 224, Prof. Robin Burke Spring 2005 What: A footnote is a note, comment, and/or bibliographic citation that literally appears at the foot of a page and refers to a specific part of the text on the page. A footnote is sometimes also referred to as a reference. A footnote is said to cite a source. Why: Footnotes are essential for two major reasons: 1. By means of footnotes, the student acknowledges and identifies all the works of other people used to produce an essay. All sources need to be