Websites and video games — AQA GCSE Media Studies
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Websites and video games explained
This guidance explains the technical expectations for students choosing non-exam assessment briefs that involve creating a website or a video game.
Read the full explanation
The assessment focuses on media design and construction rather than computer programming, so students are not required to write code. Instead, they are permitted and encouraged to use accessible tools such as website design applications, online templates, and dedicated game design software. For example, a student designing a promotional website for a new film can use a platform like Wix or WordPress to build the site's structure, allowing them to concentrate on the layout, visual design, and user experience.
Your focus
- Identify appropriate software and online platforms for creating websites or video games without coding.
- Apply media design principles using accessible digital templates and applications.
- Evaluate the suitability of different design software for a specific non-exam assessment brief.
Websites and video games exam tips
Examiner Tips
- 💡Explore different website builders or game design software early in the project to find the platform that best suits your technical comfort level and creative vision.
- 💡Focus your time on the visual aesthetics, user interface, and media content rather than worrying about the underlying technical mechanics of the platform.
- 💡Choose a template that provides a strong foundation for your genre, but ensure you have the ability to customise it sufficiently to demonstrate your design skills.
Common Mistakes
- Misunderstanding: Students avoid website or game briefs because they think they need to learn HTML or programming languages. Correction: Coding is not required; students can use accessible design software and online templates.
- Misunderstanding: Students believe that building a website from scratch using code will earn them extra marks. Correction: The assessment focuses on media design and content creation, not technical programming skills.
- Misunderstanding: Students think they are not allowed to use pre-existing templates for their website layouts. Correction: The use of online templates and website design apps is explicitly permitted and encouraged.