STUDY

This module introduces you to the design and production of games that may be based on supplied creative briefs or games designed by more senior students. The module forms the spine around which the other Level 4 modules build theoretical, design and scripting skills. The module follows the development process used within game studios and provides an essential real world experience of game creation, challenging you to work effectively together towards a common goal.

Design can be considered as ‘the search for the best possible solution’. Throughout this module, students are introduced to the ubiquitous concepts that pervade many fundamental aspects of game design. These concepts are considered with reference to the player’s interactive experience and contextually, in conjunction with associated tools, as a part of the iterative development process.

The module provides you with an introduction to a range of game development tools including; asset creation, game engines and development environments. You will be required to design and develop a small number of games, demonstrating their understanding of the tools covered.

This module sets out to provide you with a fundamental understanding of core programming techniques; by focusing on C++ the module lays the framework for all further programming modules on the degree. You will develop skills and understanding by undertaking a range of practical tasks by implementing mathematical operations, data structures and algorithms.

Introduction to Games Studies prepares you with foundational skills in academic reading and writing. In addition, this module exposes the array of disciplines open to you in the games industry. Not only this, but this module will provide contemporary views of the industry and games culture to prepare you for what the industry is like, but also encourage you to be mindful and aware of their own views and opinions as you take your first steps into the industry.

This module is intended to provide you with an understanding of how artificial intelligence is used in games. You will be introduced to and then undertake investigations into a range of techniques to develop their ability to produce implementations of each. The module will focus on functional game AI but will provide you with an understanding of ‘academic’ AI and its place in game development.

You will be introduced to systems design and the structural forms associated with sustainable fun, progression and replayability with reference to a cross section of genres and experiential goals. You will assemble and structure their designs into coherent game loops and will collate their design decisions into accessible game design documents.

The module provides you with an in-depth view into the architecture of game engines and their implementations. You will construct their own basic game engine, implementing core components such as rendering, audio, scripting and input.

Games are built within established project management frameworks. Managing Games Production will introduce you to the methods and techniques used to define, manage and control projects. You will work as part of a project management group, working to stakeholders (staff) focusing on developing the project plan and development strategy for a game and building this.

By the end of the module you will have developed a clear understanding of project management, from writing agendas and minutes, right through to calculating risk exposure and accurate task tracking and implementing a test plan.

Narrative cues provide access to a wealth of ubiquitous experiential rewards which typically reside beyond the remit of ‘fun’. Throughout this module, you are introduced to the design work which informs the development of immersive worlds and identifiable characters. You are further introduced to the concept of, and components associated with, structural forms.

The module introduces you to the fundamental algorithms, theory, principles methods and techniques of 2D and 3D computer graphics. The mathematical underpinnings are covered in further detail from the level 4 Math for Software Development module. You will develop skills in implementing and developing computer graphic applications with C++ and standard graphics libraries (such as OpenGL) within a games programming context. The shader pipeline is also introduced, with you producing shader programs for use in your graphics applications.

It is crucial that you have sufficient understanding of the technical aspects of games development so that you are able to produce your own prototypes to explore mechanics or fully-fledged games as an independent developer. This module builds upon the groundwork of the Level 4 module Introduction to Game Development, allowing you to further expand upon your understanding of technical design and level design. You will learn how to design mechanics and systems to create engaging gameplay and to then prototype those as quickly as possible in-engine. You will use scripting languages to develop such mechanics, interactions and events. In addition to prototyping, you will also refine gameplay over time. This is akin to the role of a Technical Designer, who’s responsibilities act as a bridge between design and programming.

Within this module you are required to consolidate your existing game design and development skills into a single, independent piece of practical work that will be used on your portfolios to gain employment post graduation.

The Advanced Programming module is designed to fill the gap between the knowledge you have acquired from your other modules and the knowledge you will need in industry by providing seminars and activities on a range of small but important programming related topics. These sessions may cover such topics like: Basic multithreading and synchronisation, File I/O, Sockets Client/server, Event driven programming, Use of other windowing APIs., Design patterns. 

A degree final project should represent the culmination of your ability to undertake extended self-directed study in pursuit of an honours award. As a graduate student it is absolutely crucial to have a significant piece of work that represents the specialist skills developed on the course that can be presented in a portfolio to potential employers. This module offers the opportunity for this work to be produced within the context of an autonomous, academically rigorous project.

In this module, you will collaborate in small teams to build single, high-quality game. The game will be developed within an agile led development structure, drawing on experience they have gained in other modules to plan and control their progress.

Working with industry partners, you will have the opportunity to engage with a professional brief and dip your toes into the world of professional game development.