BA (Hons) Game Design and Production

Year 2 Core Modules

You must study and pass all five core modules​

Brief description

Introduction to the knowledge, processes and techniques to formulate and explore effective, innovative game ideas with consideration for the structure of both gameplay and narrative design. 

Indicative content: 

• Game Genre Mechanics: Deconstructing core components of popular game genres.
• Constructs of Gameplay: What is gameplay and how is this broken down and communicated within the game design.
• Design Documents and Artefacts: Physical prototypes, visual documentation, technical design, capturing requirements.
• Game Design Process: Conceptualisation, iteration, phases of workflow, alternative approaches.
• Narrative Theory for Game Design: Themes, narrative structures, characters, storyboarding, animatics, scripts.
• Experimental Approaches: Exploring emergent practices and methods for innovative game design.
• Visualisation and Digital Techniques: Utilising digital techniques to produce gameplay and narrative previsualisation, developing rudimentary digital prototypes.
• Audience and Cultural Engagement: Discussing the role of audience and exploring cultural aspects of game design.

Brief description

Introduction to the knowledge, processes and techniques to formulate and explore effective, innovative game ideas with consideration for the structure of both gameplay and narrative design. 

Indicative content: 

• Game Genre Mechanics: Deconstructing core components of popular game genres.
• Constructs of Gameplay: What is gameplay and how is this broken down and communicated within the game design.
• Design Documents and Artefacts: Physical prototypes, visual documentation, technical design, capturing requirements.
• Game Design Process: Conceptualisation, iteration, phases of workflow, alternative approaches.
• Narrative Theory for Game Design: Themes, narrative structures, characters, storyboarding, animatics, scripts.
• Experimental Approaches: Exploring emergent practices and methods for innovative game design.
• Visualisation and Digital Techniques: Utilising digital techniques to produce gameplay and narrative previsualisation, developing rudimentary digital prototypes.
• Audience and Cultural Engagement: Discussing the role of audience and exploring cultural aspects of game design.

Brief description

Introduction to the knowledge, processes and techniques to formulate and explore effective, innovative game ideas with consideration for the structure of both gameplay and narrative design. 

Indicative content: 

• Game Genre Mechanics: Deconstructing core components of popular game genres.
• Constructs of Gameplay: What is gameplay and how is this broken down and communicated within the game design.
• Design Documents and Artefacts: Physical prototypes, visual documentation, technical design, capturing requirements.
• Game Design Process: Conceptualisation, iteration, phases of workflow, alternative approaches.
• Narrative Theory for Game Design: Themes, narrative structures, characters, storyboarding, animatics, scripts.
• Experimental Approaches: Exploring emergent practices and methods for innovative game design.
• Visualisation and Digital Techniques: Utilising digital techniques to produce gameplay and narrative previsualisation, developing rudimentary digital prototypes.
• Audience and Cultural Engagement: Discussing the role of audience and exploring cultural aspects of game design.

Brief description

In this microcredential, you will learn more about how digital media production professionals in the UK and China are working together to reduce barriers and identify new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Indicative content

• History and future of videogames in China: Focussing on the videogame sector as a case study of Chinese digital creative industries, how has the videogames market and industry developed in China, how is the Chinese videogames economy currently constituted, and what does the future hold?
• Consumer trends and audience preferences: What is popular with audiences in China? What can we note about preferences in terms of narrative content, aesthetics, play styles etc. when compared with other markets?
• Policy and regulation: What unique regulations or limitations are imposed on digital media within China, and what similarities are there with other national and transnational regulations? How is creative content development and publishing shaped by policy in China? What social and ethical challenges are presented by regulation, in China as well as in the UK?
• Transnational working and co-production: How is digital creative content conceived, developed, and released by professionals working across borders? What are the challenges for small and independent creative studios, compared with multi-nationals with studios based in and outside China?
• Publishing in China: How do digital media content like videogames make it to market in China? What processes and requirements must creative businesses be aware of, and how do developers find, connect to, and work with Chinese publishers? How to consumers in China access content, including on grey markets?
• Challenges and success: Hear from UK and Chinese professionals on the China market, co-operation, the hurdles they cleared, and how they found success.

Brief description

Operating at the intersection of graphic design, interaction design, programming, and psychology, User Interface (UI) designers hold significant responsibility within game development teams and digital design studios. Develop your practical and technical skills in UI design, along with your applied knowledge and understanding of underpinning theories and methodologies.

Indicative content: 

• UX and UI: Considering user experience and the intersection with user interfaces. Examining the role of UX/UI designers in industry.
• Interaction design: Discussing methodologies of interaction design and associated design disciplines such as human-computer interaction (HCI), user-centred design (UCD) and human factors.
• Accessibility and inclusive design: Considering audience diversity and the need to design and develop accessible interfaces.
• Game UI and menus: Diegetic, non-diegetic, meta, and spatial UI. Structuring menus for consistency, clarity, and effective communication with players.
• Graphic design for interfaces: Graphic design principles and visual style considerations; skeuomorphism, flat design, hierarchy, composition.
• Feedback: Interface animation, visual feedback, and audio feedback.
• Controllers: Controller selection/design, control mapping, communicating controls to players.
• Platforms: Understanding platforms - including mobile, console, PC, online, VR/AR/MR – and how platform selection interacts with UX and UI design.

Brief description

Operating at the intersection of graphic design, interaction design, programming, and psychology, User Interface (UI) designers hold significant responsibility within game development teams and digital design studios. Develop your practical and technical skills in UI design, along with your applied knowledge and understanding of underpinning theories and methodologies.

Indicative content: 

• UX and UI: Considering user experience and the intersection with user interfaces. Examining the role of UX/UI designers in industry.
• Interaction design: Discussing methodologies of interaction design and associated design disciplines such as human-computer interaction (HCI), user-centred design (UCD) and human factors.
• Accessibility and inclusive design: Considering audience diversity and the need to design and develop accessible interfaces.
• Game UI and menus: Diegetic, non-diegetic, meta, and spatial UI. Structuring menus for consistency, clarity, and effective communication with players.
• Graphic design for interfaces: Graphic design principles and visual style considerations; skeuomorphism, flat design, hierarchy, composition.
• Feedback: Interface animation, visual feedback, and audio feedback.
• Controllers: Controller selection/design, control mapping, communicating controls to players.
• Platforms: Understanding platforms - including mobile, console, PC, online, VR/AR/MR – and how platform selection interacts with UX and UI design.

Brief description

Develop skills in the use of game engines with an emphasis on the creation of game content and levels underpinned by level design theory and practice.

Indicative content:

• Terminology and concepts: Common aspects and features of game engines.
• Editing systems: Creating custom geometry, terrain etc. with in-engine tools.
• Scripting game logic: Adding interaction to a level.
• AI and pathing: Pathing techniques and movement logic.
• Physics: Creating custom physics interactions.
• Interface: Creating and editing user interfaces.
• Content: Importing art and audio content.
• Cameras: Working with cameras, animating and switching between cameras, cut-scenes.
• Spatial and lighting design: Considering appropriate theories for spatial layout, composition, lighting etc.
• User experience: Considering the user journey, playtesting, iteration.

Brief description

Develop skills in the use of game engines with an emphasis on the creation of game content and levels underpinned by level design theory and practice.

Indicative content:

• Terminology and concepts: Common aspects and features of game engines.
• Editing systems: Creating custom geometry, terrain etc. with in-engine tools.
• Scripting game logic: Adding interaction to a level.
• AI and pathing: Pathing techniques and movement logic.
• Physics: Creating custom physics interactions.
• Interface: Creating and editing user interfaces.
• Content: Importing art and audio content.
• Cameras: Working with cameras, animating and switching between cameras, cut-scenes.
• Spatial and lighting design: Considering appropriate theories for spatial layout, composition, lighting etc.
• User experience: Considering the user journey, playtesting, iteration.

Brief description

Introduction to the knowledge, processes and techniques to formulate and explore effective, innovative game ideas with consideration for the structure of both gameplay and narrative design. 

Indicative content: 

• Game Genre Mechanics: Deconstructing core components of popular game genres.
• Constructs of Gameplay: What is gameplay and how is this broken down and communicated within the game design.
• Design Documents and Artefacts: Physical prototypes, visual documentation, technical design, capturing requirements.
• Game Design Process: Conceptualisation, iteration, phases of workflow, alternative approaches.
• Narrative Theory for Game Design: Themes, narrative structures, characters, storyboarding, animatics, scripts.
• Experimental Approaches: Exploring emergent practices and methods for innovative game design.
• Visualisation and Digital Techniques: Utilising digital techniques to produce gameplay and narrative previsualisation, developing rudimentary digital prototypes.
• Audience and Cultural Engagement: Discussing the role of audience and exploring cultural aspects of game design.

Year 2 Microcredentials - Term 2

If you are a Direct Entrant (new student) to this year of study and have not previously taken module ABE101, then you MUST take ABE201 as part of your Microcredential selection. If you have previously taken ABE101 then you are NOT permitted to take ABE201.

Instructions: Please choose a total of TWENTY credits of optional modules in Term 2. This can include microcredential (ABE) modules.

Brief description

The processes and purposes of designing and developing a piece of interactive entertainment.

Indicative content: 

• Historical Overview: How games have been designed, prominent genres, styles and techniques.
• Concept and Communication: Conceptualising and communicating ideas, scoping requirements, giving and receiving critique.
• Design Process: Establishing a process, proposing solutions, iteration and documentation.
• Core Design: Working up the concept, graphics, features, setting, story, objectives, levels.
• The Development Team: Roles and responsibilities, scheduling and milestones, inclusive and supportive working.
• Rules and Mechanics: Implementing choices, interactivity, strategies, motivation and reward, balancing gameplay.
• Look and Feel: Establishing a style, ambience, colour and mood, sound effects, and music.
• Cultural and Commercial Awareness: Designing for an audience, markets, genres and platforms.

Brief description

Throughout the microcredential you will become familiar with university systems (including the virtual learning environment), consider what attributes make a successful student and develop key successful student habits.

Indicative content

• Navigating Abertay Systems: Be introduced to and understand how to engage with Abertay systems and tools such as MyLearningSpace, MS Teams, OASIS, MyAbertay etc.
• Expectations of University and You: Explore your own and the universities expectations of you and of the university; Consider the code of conduct; independent learning; blended learning; how university is structured; health and safety; and the Abertay attributes.
• Understanding and Searching Information: How scholarly information is generated and disseminated, key characteristics of different information types. Planning, using, and refining appropriate search strategies; online search tools; using a range of web and database search functionality. 
• Successful Student Behaviours: Develop strategies to key successful student behaviours including Defeating Procrastination, Time Management, Notetaking and preparing for classes, Growth Mindset, Accessing student support and opportunities.
• Referencing: Understand what is meant by academic integrity, plagiarism, and the need for appropriate referencing; creating reference lists and in-text citations; use of referencing tools to manage information.
• Sounding Academic: Explore what lecturers mean by “academic style” and “the right language”; Understand what is meant by and how to learn the rules of academic writing characteristics. Consider how this differs between college and university; Learn how to paraphrase. Explore how assessments, marking and feedback works at university.
• Evaluating Information: Using appropriate quality criteria to critically evaluate information from any source to determine authority and bias.

Brief description

This microcredential provides you with the space and time to develop your skills in designing, planning, delivering, and showcasing an artefact responding to the societal issue. The microcredential is flexible and you will have a choice of what and how you create your response.

Indicative content

• The Big Issue: You will be introduced to the big society issue that will be the focus of your artefact response. Learning materials available will help you consider your response to the challenge.
• Developing Ideas: You will think creatively as to how you will respond to the big issue. You will consider your intended artefact aims, outcomes and target audience. 
• Responding to the Challenge: Resources and guidance will be available as you respond to the challenge and create your artefact.
• Preparing for the Showcase: Guidance will be available on how best to showcase your artefact for the assessment. You will develop your presentation skills to support you in showcasing the artefact. 
• Showcase Event: You will attend a showcase event and present your artefact.

Brief description

You will discuss a range of anti-racist approaches and how they apply within the context of professional communications. You will examine case studies and scenarios to identify the nature of bias in society explore ways to be anti-racist especially in professional communications.

Indicative content

• Racial Bias in Society: Using case studies and scenarios to discuss various forms of racism in society, you will explore the need for anti-racist practice in professional communications. 
• Classification of Anti-Racist Practice: This section compares different anti-racists approaches applied across several contexts. You will discuss the challenges and benefits of each approach. You will identify barriers to implementation of anti-racist practice.
• Discuss Anti-Racist Approaches for Successful Professional Communications: You will be introduced to various communications frameworks (e.g. the humanity-centric framework) and will explore scenarios for the application of these frameworks in a range of professional contexts.
• Embedding Anti-Racism in Digital and Social Media Communications: How can you discuss matters of race and anti-racism on digital and social media while maintaining a professional persona. We will examine cases for best practices and explore ways to avoid bigoted language in digital communications. 

Brief description

In this module you will study two ways of analysing language: (i) a basic introduction to conversation analysis and discourse analysis as applied to ordinary talk/texting, and (ii) and introduction text mining, based on identifying patterns and developing insights from text-based data available on the Internet (e.g., social media data, online texts, online reviews etc).

Indicative content

• Conversation Analysis and Talk and Text as Action: A brief overview of the CA focus on language as action; an examination of how people talk in terms of questions, answers, invitations, excuses, justifications etc.; an examination of texting, emojis, misunderstandings.
• Text Mining: Introduction to text mining and its uses in a social sciences and business context; Online data sources; The text mining process: data collection, pre-processing and analysis; effectively communicating and visualising insights from textual data.

Brief description

By the end of this microcredential, you will be able to evaluate and select machine learning algorithms and AWS services to be appropriately applied to different business problems.

Indicative content

• Introduction to Machine Learning: What is ML? ML process, business problem solved with ML, ML tools, Amazon SageMaker, ML challenges, supervised learning (regression, classification), unsupervised learning (clustering, dimensionality reduction), reinforcement learning, etc.
• Implementing a ML pipeline using Amazon Sage Maker: Formulating ML problems, collecting and securing data, extracting, transferring and loading data, evaluating your data, finding corelation, feature engineering, data cleaning, dealing with outliers, training, deployment, performance evaluation, hyperparameters and model tuning.
• Forecasting: Time series analysis, Amazon Forecast, Implementing a forecast model, Stock Predictions.
• Computer Vision: Facial Recognition, Image and Video Analysis, Dataset Preparation.
• Natural Language Processing: Amazon Comprehend, Polly, Translate, and Lex, Creating a chatbot, Alexa, etc.

Brief description

This online module will support you to get familiar with sustainability and introduce you to tools that can help you to understand and reduce your climate impact. By increasing your sustainability self-awareness, you will be able to make a positive difference in your own life, and in the organisations and communities around you.

Indicative content

• What is sustainability and how is it linked to Climate Change?: We define sustainability, enhancing understanding of the links between society, economy, and environment. Climate change is explained and linked to sustainability. We provide clear accessible information about the reliable science of climate change. We describe the need efforts towards limiting human-induced global warming (limiting cumulative CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions). 
• Global Sustainability: We introduce the United Nations Sustainability Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. 
• Personal Sustainability: The WWF environmental footprint tool is a great way to start your personal sustainability journey. The planet is in crisis - from climate change to the pollution in our oceans and devastation of our forests. It's up to all of us to fix it. Take your first step with our environmental footprint calculator. 
• Community Sustainability and Climate Resilience: Community climate resilience comes in many forms. In this topic we introduce ideas which can provide multiple benefits of people, planet, and prosperity. We showcase inspiring examples whereby working with natural processes (Biophilic design, blue and green infrastructure) we can connect people with nature to improve their well-being and quality of life, whilst simultaneously tackling climate change and storing carbon.
• Global Solutions: What is the world doing about it? What impact do Global Climate and Biodiversity agreements (COP26 etc) really have? What’s happening here? Where are the challenges and the good news stories? We showcase positive initiatives focussed on progress.

Brief description

By the end of the module, you will know more about key aspects of nutrition and health and be better equipped to identify and tackle the barriers that prevent you from eating well.

Indicative content

• Healthy eating on a budget: This topic will show you that healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive! You will be given basic nutritional knowledge, as well as skills and practical tips to be able to eat a healthy diet on a budget. You will then be able to develop your own menu and share it with your peers, so you learn from us as well as from each other.
• Prebiotics, probiotics and health: You will learn about the importance of our microbiota on health, and how what we eat can modulate it. You will be provided with cooking tips and will be able to develop your own fermented foods for better gut health.
• Fat or sugar, which is worse?: You may have heard that fats are bad for our health, or perhaps you have heard it is all about the sugars? You will learn about the role of both sugars and fats in our diet; what makes them good or bad for health and the science behind it. You will be given the tools to assess your own sugar and fat intake as well as tips to implement the changes you need to eat better. 
• The British diet vs Mediterranean diet: What is a Mediterranean diet and what are its real benefits? Is it just a diet or a pattern? Can we get the same benefits as those living in Mediterranean countries? In this topic, you will explore how feasible it is for us to adopt the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, considering the seasonality of ingredients as well as sustainability. 
• What drives our food choices?: How healthy do you think your diet is? Do you find it easy to eat well? With this topic you will become more aware of our obesogenic environment, of how the food industry talks to us, and how the media report nutritional claims. You will learn to look more closely and more critically at your environment, so you can make healthier decisions.

Brief description

This microcredential will help you to refine your current writing skills through the analysis and discussion of a range of texts and exercises, enabling you to then apply these techniques to assignments for your other modules.

Indicative content

• Speaking the language: How to develop your academic and professional vocabulary: understanding the genre; understanding your reader’s expectations.
• Meeting expectations: Why different assignments have different requirements: decoding instructions; selecting appropriate writing techniques.
• Tightening up the nuts and bolts: How to improve your writing accuracy: reviewing key grammar and punctuation issues; improving your editing and proofreading.
• Standing on the shoulders of giants: How to borrow from the greats: reviewing the principles of citing sources; using writing techniques to incorporate research into writing.

Brief description

This module will help you develop a better understanding of the difference between media reporting and scientific evaluation. It will equip you with the skills to look beyond sensational stories related to human behaviour and dig deeper into a topic area to validate the evidence.

Indicative content

• Paranormal Beliefs and Experiences: Is Extrasensory Perception Real? Is there really evidence that we can predict the future?
• Myths about the Brain: Can repressed memories be recovered in therapy? How easily are false memories created? What are the implications for the justice system? 
• Myths about our Mind and Body: Is the key to success in everyday life simply a case of posing like a powerful superhero? 
• Myths about Language: Does being bilingual make you smarter and keep your brain younger? Are bilingual people less likely to get dementia as a result of this lifelong brain training?

Brief description

Through this microcredential you will gain an insight into what the world of work may look like in the (near) future. This includes developing a knowledge of how the economy and labour market evolves and why individual skills-sets and employability are so important and intrinsically linked to this process.

Indicative content

• The future of work: What will the future of work look like? What is used to predict how the world or work will change? Can the future of the economy and of work be accurately predicted? 
• Key factors that influence change: Identifying some of the key factors that influence how the world of work and our economy evolves and changes.
• The key role of skills and personal employability: The emergence and decline of skills: skills are fundamental to the economy (and graduate employers). What skills will be most in demand and/or be most valuable to our economy in future and why? Understand the importance of skills to the economy (and to graduate employers) at both the macro and micro level. Know what specific new skills are emerging and becoming more valuable and sought after, (as others are in decline) for our modern economy and graduate labour market. 
• Labour market information - what is it for?: Labour market Information is hugely important to our understanding of our economy at any given time: and also, in looking at the present and past to help predict future growth, opportunities, shortages and skills gaps. Recognise the importance of key Labour Market Information (LMI). Have the ability to source and use key Labour Market Information (LMI). Understand how to use accurate Labour Market Information as a tool to help their own personal development and future career planning. 
• What now?: Some help and steer – suggestions to you may wish to use your new knowledge and insight to help with your own career aspirations, planning and personal/professional development while at university.

Brief description

Some businesses have the sole focus of making money whereas others exist to also make a difference. Social enterprises are becoming more popular, and recognisable, and are making an impact across the world. From supporting the homeless, to giving waste products a second life, social enterprises are fighting for various causes. 

Indicative content

• What is a social enterprise and how does it function?: What the definition of a social enterprise is with examples from different sectors.
• How do social enterprises identify problems to tackle?: How social enterprises decide on what they will tackle and how they will do it. 
• How do you gather evidence that there is a problem requiring a solution?: Way in which you can gather evidence and data to validate the idea for a social enterprise. Determining needs and wants within a category. 
• How to identify skills and knowledge gaps: Understanding the skillsets within a founding team to fulfil the tasks required to start a social enterprise. 
• How to understand the problem you are trying to solve: Knowing the problem, you are trying to solve and how this effects the target customers the social enterprise is aimed at. Looking at the issues in a customer-focussed way. 
• How to develop a social impact plan: What is involved in a social impact plan and how to put one together. 

Brief description

This module will introduce you to the study of AI and Society. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a set of technologies and concepts and can be understood as using computers and software to denote problem-solving capacities and knowledge acquisition (intelligence) which otherwise we believe only belongs to natural beings such as humans.

Indicative content

• Introduction to the core concepts: A brief introduction to the concepts of “artificial”, “intelligence” and “society”. 
• Introduction to the problem of AI and Society: A discussion of where the problem of the impact of AI on Society comes from, presentation of some of the original debates and examples.
• Contemporary debates: A discussion of the contemporary debates about the impact of AI on Society, with examples.

Brief description

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how has it shaped our past and present? These are questions we will explore on a guided tour of AI from the past to the present and the future. You will develop a better understanding of what AI is and isn’t.

Indicative content

• Historical AI: Tracing the historical development of “traditional” AI systems including aircraft autopilots, expert systems, and accounting/financial software.
• Current AI: Covering the contemporary generation of AI technologies in areas such as speech recognition (e.g., Alexa, Siri) and recommendation systems (e.g., Amazon, YouTube). Examples will be drawn from Health, Sport, Games, Engineering, Business, Law and Computing. 
• Future AI: Exploring the limitations of today’s AI when it comes to general intelligence and contextual adaptation. Examples will be drawn from Health, Sport, Games, Engineering, Business, Law and Computing.
• My AI: How AI will impact your future, and how you can use AI to help you achieve your career goals.  Reflection on how AI may inform your subject area going forward.

Brief description

This microcredential is aimed at you, if you have an interest in technology but are not experts. The microcredential will develop your digital safety and how to stay safe online.

Indicative content

• Threat Landscape: Cyberattacks and online threats. System vulnerabilities. Social Engineering. Rights and computer laws.
• Authentication: Password security. Biometrics. MFA and Password managers. Good practices for authentication.
• Secure Communication: Web browser security. Certificates and trust. Effective encryption. Secure communication methods.
• Personal Information Privacy: Information leakage. Personal information privacy and open-source intelligence. Device encryption and security. Security mindfulness.
• Malware: Types of malware. Identifying malicious software. Malware propagation techniques. Malware removal and preventative measures.

Year 3 Core Modules

You must study and pass all three core modules

Brief description

This module develops an in-depth understanding of the issues around the production process and managing a creative team

Indicative content:

• Leadership: Management styles, defining roles, responsibilities skills etc. of good managers, assertiveness, rapport, influence, leadership, management strategies.
• Controlling Software Production: Programmers, code, data, version control, tools, software reviews, the mythical man-month, the principles of software engineering.
• Controlling Asset Production: Analogue artworks, digital artwork conversion and creation, static imagery, time-based imagery, FMV, character design, look'n'feel. Importance of audio sound effects, ambient noise, music creation, capture, editing, editing, conversion, storage, size, reproduction, immersion.
• Production Control: The project reporting mechanisms, planning, management, organisation, staffing, directing, controlling, project initiation, plans, budget, resources, inventories, termination, project management tools.
• Human Factors: Building self-esteem, confidence, intra- and inter- team relationships, domain expertise, discontent, resolving conflict, managing performance.
• Handling Criticism: Internal and external mechanisms for evaluation, the media cycle and handling reviews.
• Team Dynamics: How teams operate and develop, relationships, stakeholders, reporting agreements, diversity as strength, goal-setting, identifying strengths and weaknesses.
• Case Studies: How games and interactive media companies are managed. Variety of company structures and teams, value of analysis and post-mortems. Using games- related and non-games industry examples.
• Managing Risk and Uncertainty: Identifying and managing risk in resources, processes and legal aspects. Quality assurance as part of production: planning, QA teams, outsourcing, costing, testing, alpha/beta/gold master stages.

Brief description

Work together on an interactive media project as part of a multidisciplinary team. Contribute to your team by taking on a professional role suited to your area of study. Expect to: communicate with clients and relevant stakeholders; participate in pitching and presentations; research and test technical pipelines; create project documentation and planning materials; and contribute to the iterative design and development of a final interactive prototype.

Indicative content:

• Team Organisation and Management: Attend and participate in team meetings, keep meeting minutes, and assign roles and responsibilities; Identify and overcome team problems, understand conflicts and approaches to conflict resolution, and engage with team building.
• Communication and Professionalism: Demonstrate the ability to communicate within the team, with tutors, with clients/mentors, and with other stakeholders in a professional and respectful manner.
• Development Methodologies: Understand and apply appropriate development methodologies framed by the requirements of a project and balance of a team, e.g. agile, scrum, lean, spiral, feature-driven, waterfall/traditional.
• Research and Concept Development: Research similar products and competitors; Research and interpret the product marketplace, considering platform, user profiles, costs, regional differences etc; Conduct visual and audio research; Iteratively develop design concepts in response to a given brief.
• Technologies and Pipelines: Research software and hardware technologies; Develop a technical plan for game development; Research, develop, test and document production pipelines.
• Style and Branding: Develop a brand for the team and the project; Research, develop, document, and communicate a defined visual and audio style; Produce marketing and promotional materials.
• Pitching and Presentation: Use appropriate software, hardware, game engines, and other tools to deliver a working digital prototype; Engage with regular user testing to inform design iteration, demonstrating an appreciation of user experience.
• Prototype Development, Testing, and Iteration: Use appropriate software, hardware, game engines, and other tools to deliver a working digital prototype; Engage with regular user testing to inform design iteration, demonstrating an appreciation of user experience.
• Release Management: Manage the software development process using source control, defect tracking, and build processes.
• Project Delivery: Consider the methods for delivering products to the market, including market cycles, digital distribution, and the publisher-developer relationship; Deliver a complete prototype with accompanying press kit.

Brief description

The field of game design encompasses a breadth of specialist roles and applications. Receive support to identify your own areas of interest and professional specialisation, taking into account factors such as game genres, audiences, platforms, technologies, and content. With tutor support, research game design practice and develop a personal development plan targeted at skill and portfolio development.

Indicative content:

• Game design roles: Research game design and related roles across the games industry, e.g. gameplay design, systems design, technical design, mission/quest design, level design, environment art/design, character art/design, narrative design, cinematics design, lighting and VFX design, sound design, content design, UX/UI design, monetisation design, immersive experience design.
• Games genres and audiences: Research how factors such as game genres and target audiences impact on approaches to game design, skills, and bodies of knowledge.
• Game technologies and platforms: Consider game design for a breadth of devices, e.g. mobile/tablet, specialist console, PC/Mac, online, VR, AR, MR, performance, and analogue game design.
• Bodies of knowledge: Develop an appreciation of the relevant bodies of knowledge to game design in general, and specialist roles and applications in particular. Produce and make use of reading lists that encompass not only literature in game design and game studies, but also other fields and disciplines that overlap with specialist areas of game design practice.
• Skills audit: Undertake structured review of current skills as mapped to game design in general and to specific roles and applications of game design that are of personal interest. Use a skills audit to assist in planning for personal development, and for helping to shape and update your CV.
• Personal development planning: Develop a PDP that frames your self-directed learning, encompassing technical and software tutorials, reading to support development of theoretical and conceptual knowledge, and ongoing applied practice to improve skills, abilities, and to enhance your portfolio.
• Specialist portfolio: Review the portfolios of peers and professionals, and carry out an independent study project that will underpin the production of a portfolio targeted at a specialist game design role or application.
• Self-assessment and peer feedback: Understand the need to engage with regular and honest self-assessment, and the value of regular sharing of work with peers and wider communities of practice.

Year 3 Option Modules

You must study and pass one pair of option modules of your choosing

Game Mechanics and System Design

Brief description

Develop the applied technical and creative skills necessary to design and script prototypes that demonstrate the functionality of game mechanics and systems. Learn to promote rapid prototyping as a useful evaluation tool and an essential part of the development process.

Module content:

• Evolution of Gameplay Mechanics: Examine how the implementation of gameplay mechanics has changed over time.
• Game Systems: Examine game systems and consider how the relationships between mechanics and variables are crafted to create a balanced gameplay experience.
• Gameplay Analysis: Analyse existing implementations of game mechanics and systems.
• Gameplay Mechanics Functional Analysis: Analyse and deconstruct game mechanics design into their component parts required for functional implementation.
• Gameplay Implementation: Explore the range of tools and techniques available to implement gameplay in prototype games.
• Iterative Development: Understand the development process of rapid game prototyping.
• Evaluation Methods: Identify how gameplay implementation can be evaluated in terms of desired functionality and user experience.
• Aesthetics: Consider the effect of aesthetics on gameplay implementation and how aesthetics can be used to enhance the user experience.
• Game Balancing: Explore and implement techniques to balance individual elements of a gameplay prototype and examine the effect this has on the overall user experience.
• Emergent Gameplay: Explore the techniques that can be applied to create emergent gameplay within prototype games.

Analytics and Data-Driven Game Design

Brief description

As games have moved more towards services, subscription models, and live online updates, the collection and analysis of player data is increasingly important to the games industry. Data is valuable not only for improving user experience and balancing gameplay, but also understanding player behaviours and driving profits for games companies. This module provides an introduction to player data collection and analysis as preparation for games and related creative industries that involve user research and product management.

Module content:

• Tools: Reviewing available in-engine and third-party solutions for analytics.
• Data visualisation and interpretation: Utilising dashboards to display and interpret data.
• Statistics and analysis: Introduction to basic statistical methods for analysing data.
• Player behaviours: Track and understand player behaviours.
• Balance and retention: Adjust game design based on data analysis.
• Ads: Integrating advertising into games.
• Monetisation strategies: Sales models for games such as premium, freemium, and subscriptions.
• Monetisation performance: Understanding metrics such as DAU and ARPDAU to track players and revenue.

Environment Art Production

Brief description

The creative and technical processes in the design and production of game environment art. Critique player engagement with and perception of these spaces with consideration for visual style, layout, and environmental storytelling. Gain experience in the conceptualisation, planning, modelling, texturing, and construction of game environments, which is particularly beneficial to those with an interest in progressing into game art roles.

Module content:

• Visual research and concept design: Research real-world / fictional spaces and visual styles. Develop planning materials and concept designs in support of an environment art project.
• ​Level design and player interaction: Apply knowledge from level design theory and user interaction and UX design to your understanding of environment art, layout, and navigation.
• Spatial design: Consider architectural theories and principles when developing concepts for a virtual environment.
• Environmental storytelling: Investigate how game worlds, spaces, and immersive environments create atmosphere and tell stories through layout, props, lighting, and textures.
• 3D modelling: Design, build and unwrap 3D models appropriate for application in game engines. Consider sculpting and its application in game environment production.
• Materials and maps: Paint texture maps and create complex materials for application to surfaces. Consider PBR.
• Modular kits: Build and implement kits for modular environment design.
• Environmental animation and movement: Consider how basic environmental animation can be implemented and connected to scripted player interactions.
• Lighting: Apply static and dynamic lighting within your scenes. Understand light bakes and additional post-processing effects.
• Game engines: Apply all of the above in-engine to demonstrate the ability to assemble environment art for presentation as part of a game product. Create builds and flythroughs to showcase your work.

Character Art Production

Brief description

Videogame character design with a focus on developing your technical and creative skills for character art production. Advance your proficiency with art production tools and pipelines commonly used in the games and entertainment industries for the visualisation of 3D characters.

Module content:

• Visual Research: Conduct extensive research into existing characters, fashions, cultures, and other resources, developing ideas for use of form, shape, colour, and overall visual style.
• Concept Development: Demonstrate an appreciation of game character design literature and the use of characters within games. Iteratively develop ideas and drawings for an original game character.
• Sculpting: Use digital sculpting packages to develop character concepts and produce high-poly assets.
• 3D Modelling: Use 3D modelling packages, tools, and techniques to build polygon-models.
• UVs and Retopologisation: Rebuild meshes to develop new mesh layouts, edge flow, polygon density with a view to creating cleaner and more efficient models for games. Work with UV layouts for characters.
• Painting: Use 2D/3D painting packages to produce textures for game characters.
• Materials: Build advanced materials for characters, considering different types of materials used within a character asset (e.g. skin, hair, cloth, leather, metal etc.); consider use of PBR.
• Presentation: Produce character video turnarounds and captured images of character assets implemented in-engine; present work in a manner consistent with professional practice.

Sound and Music for Games

Brief description

Introduction to the theory and practice of sound and music for games. Draw on examples from film and animation as well as games, to explore how sound design for screen media has developed over time, and how the demands of interactivity pose game sound designers a unique set of challenges. Explore the production approaches and workflows that underpin interactive audio design and the tools and technologies that enable its implementation in a game environment.

Module content:

• Introduction: An overview of the history of sound and music in video games, from early 8-bit soundtracks generated by Programmable Sound Generators, through streaming Red-Book audio on CD to the latest multi-channel sample-based adaptive soundtracks.
• Background: Modern soundtracks combine ideas from gaming, but also draw heavily on film soundtracks. We will examine the similarities and differences between the two, drawing conclusions on the roles and functions that sound and music play in a computer game.
• Recording practice: We will introduce students to recording and production theory and practice, including microphone design, application and technique; digital recording theory and practice, and sound editing.
• Adaptive sound: Students will explore the particular characteristics of adaptive sound design for interactive media, and how nuance and adaptability factors into the design and production process.
• Application: What are the technologies and middleware systems that support dynamic audio effects for stereo, binaural and surround gaming systems and how do these affect the production process?
• Technical constraints: What file formats and data compression techniques are available and what are the pros and cons of each? How do these impact on the end user experience?
• Professional planning: Take a professional approach to project planning and management, including designing an audio design document, which details both the conceptual use of sound in a game, and its specific implementation and mechanics, and a complete sound asset list that details all of the sound elements that will be used.
• Professional practice: Investigate the how sound production practice aligns with professional collaboration and development pipelines, including version control, file naming conventions and metadata, particularly with regard to automated processes for implementation and regionalisation, and identifying and protecting intellectual property.
• Case studies and exemplars: Review and discuss case study examples that demonstrate how sound and music have been used in games across a range of different formats and platforms and at different periods in history.

Game Audio Implementation

Brief description

The real-time adaptive processes and structures that drive interactive sound effects and music in games. Investigate the different approaches that tools offer for real-time control of sound and music, and the processes through which pre-recorded sound assets are edited, tagged, implemented, and scripted to respond to player input.

Module content:

• Technology: Compare and contrast middleware solutions, exploring functionality and options; Work with game engines, using scripting for event management and parameter control.
• Interfacing: Explore the different ways that sound and music can be triggered and/or driven by game events, and the different ways that sound and music can either lead or react to player input.
• Spatial audio: Discuss how spatial placement and reverberation help to create and characterise a sense of believable game space, and how this can be achieved within different sections and/or environments within the game.
• Implementation: Explore the full implementation cycle of sound assets, and look at what’s involved in getting multiple layers of sound to function correctly in response to player input in a game.
• Sound file management: Understanding differences in file formats and data encoding, and the artefacts that can be introduced can mean the difference between a soundtrack that behaves as it should, and hours of troubleshooting.
• Profiling and troubleshooting: Explore the options available for measuring the performance of a games audio implementation. Investigate some of the common problems that affect game audio, and what solutions and/or workarounds exist.
• Analysis: Analysing the use of sound and music in a computer game requires a particular set of analytical tools and an appreciation of context. Students will explore these notions and develop a framework for analysing interactive game-based audio.
• Case studies and exemplars: Review and discuss case study examples that demonstrate how sound and music have been used in videogames across a range of different formats and platforms and at different periods in history.

Year 4 Core Modules

You must study and pass all four core modules

Brief description

Formulate a contextual, theoretical, and practical foundation in a self-selected area of professional practice and research. Evaluate existing research, texts, and projects with a view to developing a project proposal. Develop a portfolio of practical work pertinent to your own professional practice and selected Honours Project topic.

Indicative content:

• Research Design for Games and Arts: Learn how research is designed, including: development of appropriate research questions/aims and objectives, the importance of analysing existing literature and knowledge, and understanding how research methods lead to new knowledge that is of value to your discipline, field, and other beneficiaries.
• Project Definition, Scoping and Pitching: You will be shown examples of research in art, design, and media, and encouraged to consider research that you can carry out in your own self-defined area of practice (e.g. 3D Design, Animation, Game Design, Game Production, Illustration etc.) With tutor support, you will shape, scope, and plan a major Games & Arts Honours project based on your own interests, curiosity, and aspirations. 
• Literature Review: Learn how to approach a systematic review of literature and other authoritative sources relevant to your research questions and project topic. Through analysis of the wider context of the proposed project, you will consider the state of the art in your field, and aim to situate your practice.
• Practice Based Research: You will begin by focusing on practice-based research and understanding how to plan for and structure practice that will allow you to explore and address identified research questions.
• Critical Theory: Engage with critical theory and consider how ideas and concepts drawn from your reading can inform your own approach to artistic, design, or production practice. 
• Qualitative Research Methods for Games and Arts: You will learn about qualitative research methods and consider the value methods such as interviews and focus groups can have within the context of Games & Arts practice.
  Quantitative Research Methods for Games and Arts: You will learn about quantitative research methods and discuss how scientific methods such as surveys and experiments can be utilised in the context of Games & Arts practice. 
  Ethics and Data Management: Discuss the role of ethics in art and design practice, learn how to assess and manage risks, and develop skills in data collection and management in line with legal responsibilities.
  Independent Study and Portfolio Development: Engage with self-directed independent study, carrying out an extensive body of work over the course of the semester in support of your Honours Project topic. 
  Critical and Reflective Practice: Critique and reflect on your practice, drawing out strengths and weaknesses, identifying and developing research questions driven by practice, and evaluating skill gaps to be addressed.

Brief description

Engage critically with the creative industries. Expect to discuss the global marketplace for creative media, the development of business ideas, and the demonstrable knowledge, expertise, and planning expected by employers and investors. Consider which creative industries align with your own personal ambitions, and develop an understanding of how best to prepare a strategy for employability, freelance work, or start-up.

Indicative content:

• The Creative Industries: Overview of a range of creative sectors, identifying sources of information. Discussion of professional structures, including: publishers and distributors, content developers, software tool developers and other suppliers, service and support suppliers, industry organisations, pressure groups, and government regulations.
• Local, Regional, and Global Outlooks​: Cases of production from various industry developers, with reference to business practices, culture, and impact on the creative process.
• People, Players and Populations​: An insight into current market research into games and their players, with discussion on how this data influences funding, development, and publishing
• Marketing and Monetization​: Review of the marketplace including information on economic impact, comparative market sizes, and growth.
• Interview Practices and Techniques​: Overview of interview practices and expectations, with reference to real-world examples.
• Crunch Culture in the Creative Industries: Definitions and discourse on ‘crunch’ and its characteristics, with reference to personal, organisational, industrial, and societal consequences, personal and organisational ethics, and working practice.
• Media Consumption and Addiction: Discourse and research on video game addiction and ethical practice, and its potential to impact game development, economics, and society.
• Violence in Media​: Overview of violence in media, including interactive, audio-visual, and literary works. Research on the impact of media violence on society.
• Stereotypes, Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation​: Overview of the current climate of games and the game industry, the importance of representation, and the impact of perpetuated stereotypes in society and culture.
• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship​: Defining and clarifying professional goals, setting measurable and realistic targets, business planning, marketing and management tools, and the start-up process.

Brief description

This module challenges you to independently design, develop, and execute an extensive creative research project, underpinned by relevant critical theories, concepts, and practices within their specialist area of enquiry

Indicative content:

• Independent Study: Demonstrate the ability to operate as an independent creative practitioner.
• Project Management: Demonstrate the ability to manage a major project, setting milestones, managing time and resources, and identifying and mitigating risks.
• Personal and Professional Development:
  Identifying and planning to address areas of personal and professional development through the execution of the creative project, with a view to delivering a portfolio of work that will support you as you take steps towards employment or entrepreneurship in the creative industries.
• Supervision: Working with your supervisor according to a defined schedule and making maximum use of supervision time to seek guidance and feedback on progress.
• Self Assessment: Committing to regular self-assessment of the quality of work and the progress being made. Demonstrating an ability to effectively and realistically critique your work in relation to your own expectations.
• Peer Feedback: Embracing opportunities for peer feedback, through regular sharing of projects in the form of peer critiques, demo sessions, or play parties. Capturing and responding to feedback to enhance the quality of your work.
• Community of Practice: Operating within a wider community of like-minded practitioners in Games & Arts. Striving to carry out project work in collaborative creative spaces and labs, to maximise opportunities for networking, sharing, and mutual support.
• Presentation: Deliver a final project, presented in a manner that demonstrates professionalism and an understanding of expectations within your field of practice.

Brief description

Approach research as an active process of inquiry. Produce a dissertation that communicates your research process and findings.

Indicative content:

• Dissertation Planning: Formalising the structure of your proposed dissertation argument, aligning research questions, existing knowledge, theory, and research method.
• Library and Information Skills: Utilising library resources and services to carry out extensive and systematic literature searches, managing references, and applying appropriate citations and references in your written work.
• Critical Reading: Carrying out independent, critical reading of key theoretical texts, research articles, and other texts relevant to the subject, discipline, or profession.
• Research Context: Understanding and incorporating the wider research context and rationale into your argument, considering artistic and professional practice.
• Analysis and Synthesis: Demonstrating rigour in the deconstruction and scrutiny of sources, data, and practice, and constructing a substantiated argument drawing upon your analysis.
• Dissertation Format: Exploring different approaches to a dissertation guided by discipline, methods and audience.
• Oral Presentation: Articulating your research through oral presentation.
• Writing Skills: Demonstrating the ability to iteratively develop clear, precise and substantiated academic writing, and to utilise your writing skills to effectively communicate the findings of your research to an intended academic, artistic, or professional audience.