Game Production and Design

FAPY100
Stage 1 Placement Preparation 0 credits

This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking a company placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

GAME4001
Design Practice

This module welcomes students to the world of game design through a balance of playful activities and thought-provoking debates. The module explores design practices such as observation, ideation, prototyping and testing, in relation to industry culture and wider social contexts. The module introduces students to practical and creative processes that encourage experimentation and prepare for HE workflows. Through conceptual understanding of artistic practice combined with technical production skills in a range of areas, such as 2D and 3D design, facilitated by industry standard design software and processes.

GAME4002
Interactive Experiences

In this module, students will explore core theories around worldbuilding, narrative design and immersion theory for game design. Students will get hands on experience with popular video games to explore, critique and discuss how narratives and the worlds that are crafted create an immersive experience. Students will also critique how the nature of interaction in games is controlled by designers and developers to control the audience into feeling agency in games, and where frameworks are developed to explore ludo-narrative gameplay. Students will work with wireframing tools and processes to demonstrate their understanding of how narrative structures are developed and designed in games.

GPD4001
Introduction to Game Engines

In this module students will explore the rich history of game engines, from early arcade development to modern multiplatform engines. Students will explore the interfaces in modern engines, understanding the common languages of what’s required in working efficiently, along with analysing the structures of the engines and their render pipelines. Students will also explore how engines work with solo and collaborative development and how to best structure projects for efficient work.

GPD4002
Game Programming

In this module, students will learn core programming principles and structures learning with C++ and Visual Scripting to interface with game engines. Students will learn these skills through practical workshops and tasks that see the creation of a short interactive experience, reviewing and critically assessing how game programming techniques influence good design practices. The skills learnt in this module will act as a launchpad for development skills, allowing students to progress as technical designers.

GPD4003
Game Mechanics Design

Building from core programming skills, in this module students will explore how to develop common game mechanics and systems that are modular, efficient and enable designers to engage with the game engine to tweak and test features. This module will explore the structure of game mechanics design, with exposing variables and features that allow other systems communicate efficiently, using interfaces, messaging tools and events. In order to track development practice, students will learn how to manage and report on development using project management tools and review processes to successfully iterate and refine codebases.

GAME4003
UI Design

In this module, students will explore the concepts behind User Experience Design (UX) and User Interface Design (UI). Students will be given a range of material to explore and critique to understand the application of different design methods, principles and considerations for creating UI for games. Students will iterate on designs, exploring the use of fonts, logos, colours and considerations for different games markets. Students will create a menu system for a hypothetical game that includes the title screen, a pause menu, and a settings menu. This menu system will explore branding and identity, functionality, affordances and feedback, and the wider consideration of accessibility in design.

GAME4004
Sound Design

This module explores the fundamental principles and techniques of sound design specifically for video games. It covers the creation, implementation, and manipulation of audio assets, including sound effects, music, and dialogue, to enhance player experience. Students will learn to utilize industry-standard software and hardware, focusing on real-time audio integration and interactive soundscapes.

GAME5001
Critical Design

This module develops students ability to critically reflect upon design strategies that they can subsequently apply to their own videogame development. Students will evidence what they have learnt via a digital journal.

GAME5002
Professional Portfolio

In this module, students will be given the opportunity to propose and develop a project that follows a chosen area of game design and development. This project will be supported by an allocated tutor that can support and guide through the creative process. Students will be given regular sessions alongside this project that help shape and develop their online portfolio and presence to successfully market and showcase their work. Students will be given tools and methods to help manage time efficiently, implementing regular review processes to iterate on work and manage expectations.

GAME5005
Studio Practice - Challenge Module

In this module, students will join with peers across digital subjects to learn collaborative design and development processes, understanding how to professionally communicate between different disciplines and teams, working towards an immersive experience that is aligned to the UN sustainability goals. Students will be introduced to professional project and source control management tools and processes to enhance their practice and efficiency. Students will form small groups to design and develop a small interactive experience that showcases their learning from their own crafts, and their professional skills.

GPD5001
Mechanics and Systems

This module builds on core design frameworks to explore advanced and networked mechanics and systems in a game engine. Modular and replicated systems design and development provides an understanding of server-client relationships, data management and network security within coop and multiplayer games. Students will build a range of portfolio pieces that demonstrate their skills in these areas, producing editor tools to help developer more complex systems for use by designers and artists.

GAME5003
Rigging and Animation

This module will provide students with the principles of animation for both objects and characters. They will focus on understanding weights and stretches, exploring different techniques and styles of animation. This will allow the students to experiment and consider which style is best suited to the work they want to create. Students will craft a range of animation elements from object tests to facial rigs on 3D characters, giving a strong understanding of the range of skills encompassed in animation for games, along with a core understanding to critique and analyse animation styles and form.

GAME5004
VFX for Games

In this module, students will explore a range of visual effects pipelines for use in game engines, ranging from particle effects to shaders. Students will learn about how these effects can be used in conjunction with other elements like sound to facilitate engagement and reward to players in games. Students will produce a portfolio of work in this module to set tasks and briefs that tests efficient and visual design practices.

GAME5006
Scanning and Photogrammetry

This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of photogrammetry and 3D scanning techniques, tools, and applications. This module covers the fundamental principles of capturing, processing, optimising, and analysing spatial data to create accurate 3D models. Students will gain hands-on experience with both photogrammetric software and 3D scanning hardware to understand their practical applications in various fields such as archaeology, architecture, engineering, gaming, and virtual reality.

GAME5007
MoCap and MoEdit

In this module the students will learn about the delivery of Motion Capture services. Students will explore through all stages of the pipeline, from good stage practices and running a shoot, and the different jobs that are part of it, to delivering fully cleaned and retargeted data. Students will create a portfolio of work that demonstrates core practices within the Motion Capture pipeline, showcasing professional practices and shoot etiquette.

ADA600
Common Dissertation: Critical Practices 20 credits

The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research.

GAME6001
Game Design

In this module, students will demonstrate their skills in design, team development practices and their own craft that has been demonstrated through their portfolio of work to this stage. Students will be given the opportunity to pitch ideas and form teams, bringing an idea to life in the form of a demo. Students will work professionally to set deadlines and goals set through the module, working in a studio format. Students will craft a press-kit for their game and create a trailer that could be used to pitch the game to potential investors.

GAME6002
Interaction Design

This module focuses on the experimentation and fabrication of interaction devices and experiences that allow audiences to interface with digital experiences. Students will explore the considerations for accessibility and fabrication tools needed in designing and developing game controllers, along with exploring the world of alternative controllers using custom hardware. Students will produce an interaction device that can interface with a crafted experience.

GAME6003
Experience Design

In this module students will explore the world of creative and artistic installation, learning how to curate and craft an experience to be part of an interactive exhibit. Students will learn a range of prototyping and experimental design processes that will explore outside of the world of games. Students will explore physical computing devices, and display techniques such as dome projection and projection mapping.

GAME6004
Major Project

This module acts as the capstone of the degree, giving students a dedicated self-directed project to design, craft and refine as a major portfolio piece. Students will be allocated a supervisor that will guide and support the development of the work, along with encouraging critical discussion around the chosen theme and topic. Students are encouraged to experiment and innovate in their craft, exploring how their chosen craft can be pushed forward.

GAME6005
Portfolio and Professional Practice

In this module, students will develop and refine a professional portfolio that is ready for applications in the creative industries. Students will be supported by industry professionals that will offer review and advise on how to target specific markets and roles. Students will also craft a range of promotional material to celebrate their existing portfolio of work, that can then be showcased at a final exhibition for the degree. Students will be involved in curating, organising and displaying their work, along learning key events managements skills with partners and key stakeholders.