BA (Hons) Game Design (Game Development)

About This Course

Validated by:

Design. Build. Play. Repeat.

The BA (Hons) Game Design (Game Development) is designed to prepare students for careers within games by providing them with the core knowledge of games and the rules of play, pacing, project management, app development, C# and C++. The programme allows students to also prepare for high end game design (AAA), all the way through to independent game design practices. This programme will develop and cultivate students knowledge in core game design activities, designing a range of game types that will enter development, and also develop either their artistic or programming knowledge bases and skillsets using industry standard software and techniques. To showcase the full breadth of game design, there will be a large emphasis on group projects, personal accountability, and practical skill development.

Students will explore:

Core
Project Management
Game Design
Level Design
Narrative Design
Group Management
Game Theory
Fun and Play Mechanics
Mechanics Development
Game Systems
UI/UX
Prototype Development
Node-Based Scripting
C#/C++ Programming
Modern Game Engine Development

Progressing through year 1 and 2, students will develop their ability to plan and develop projects, utilise skillsets that grow and compound their praxis. In year 3, students will be expected to work independently and in collaboration with peers, in order to plan, develop and reflect upon a final game project throughout the year.

Course Person Specification Full Course Specification

Entry Requirements

Standard offer

Applicants will require 80 UCAS points in a Games Design or Computing related subject, or 60 Access-to-HE Credits (of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3). Applicants are required to hold English (or equivalent) at Grade D/3, and Maths GCSE (or equivalent) at Grade C/4.

Non-standard offer

Non-standard entry is intended to support students who may not meet the standard academic entry requirements of a HE programme, normally level 3 qualifications which attract UCAS points (for instance A-levels or BTEC level 3 courses). An applicant must be able to demonstrate recent work/experience/interest in the Games or adjacent sector which would give them skills and knowledge comparable to applicants with Level 3 qualifications. If they can not do this, a small portfolio of work which showcases their talent and interest in Game Development, either of Gameplay, AI NPCs, or Level Design.

All such non-standard applicants will be interviewed, set an appropriate piece of work (detail what the work is) and a judgement made taking into account their academic potential and relevant work/experience.

What You Will Learn

Year 1

Game Design Principles
C# Fundamentals for Games
Level Design and Game Worlds
AI Programming Fundamentals
Prototype Production
Node Based Scripting

Year 2

Theory of Fun and Games
C++ For Games
Narratives and Games
Advanced Game Systems for Production
Junior Game Dev Production
Advanced AI Behaviours

Year 3

Professional Game Concept
Emerging Technology in Games
Senior Game Dev Studio Production
Final Specialist Project

Learning & Teaching Methods

The teaching and learning strategy for this module will be a combination of tutor-led seminars and supported open workshops, focusing upon developing students learning and supporting them in conducting independent research for their chosen projects and assessments. Over the course of the programme, students are encouraged to take a more independent approach to their work and will be expected to work more collaboratively with their peers and the module leaders. This reflects their growing knowledge, confidence, and professional approach to the subject matter.

Skillset modules such as “C# Programming” and “Node Based Scripting” will involve delivery, but also involve student led workshops developing student skills in a practical environment, with a focus on self discovery and skill experimentation. While the course is practically led, modules such as “Game Design Principles”, and “Theory of Fun and Games” are designed to test and develop the students academic capabilities, focusing on key study skills progression, indepth research techniques and methodologies while remaining pertinent to the games industry. These sessions will be tutor led, with the option for learners to discuss in seminars key points and research surrounding topics.

As students' progress on to the final year (level 6) of this programme, the teaching strategy will develop into a more facilitative and managerial approach. The Final Specialist Research Project will allowing students to contextualise their research to be combined with a practical portfolio that represents their personal development and research. The Professional Game module and Senior Game Dev modules will allow students to follow the development process of a full game from start to finish, unifying all elements of the course up to now.

Programme Benefits

The BA (Hons) Game Design programme is split into two different pathways; Art and Development. These pathways run adjacent to each other and focus on two broad schools within the game design industry. While these two pathways exist, both attend core modules which provide the general knowledge and project management elements that feed into the pathway skills. The core modules help develop a basis for employability within the industry and soft skills that can be applied across the board.

The pathways will be collaborative with each on the core modules but separate for their own pathway specific modules. The students are then not judged on their opposite skillsets, which may have demotivated them on other programmes within the UK. Artists can focus on their specific goals, taking in games knowledge but also the artistic skills that are a must within the art roles in games. The programmers can focus on the development of code bases, and programming logic without having to worry about being judged on whether they can draw or animate a character. These specialised pathways will produce specialists within the industry, with knowledge and appreciation for the other whilst not being subjected to a muted grade or diluted skillset due to a too broad skillset.

The third year of this programme will offer students the opportunity to develop a full game by pitching a game idea with a collaboration between the artists and developers. This will give them a true studio development experience where they will be held accountable to self imposed deadlines, project management styles, and external milestones. Throughout this year, they will assign themselves to their specialisms to develop and tailor a portfolio of work that exemplifies their want and the needs of a role within the industry.

What Next?

The BA Game Design (Game Development) course was developed with one goal in mind. Joining the games industry. Whether you come from a previous games design course at college, or you are wanting to begin your journey here, the course will help you develop your skills, expand your knowledge and get you building games. Modules will be taught 'from the ground up' ensuring that all students can develop these knowledge and skills without the need to have significant prior knowledge of the modules or content covered, provided they have a baseline knowledge of the games industry, as well as a passion for this sector.

On successful completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to progress into a variety of roles within the games industry, and adjacent industries relating to the following skill areas:

Software Development
AI Programming
Gameplay Programmer
Engine Technician
Game Designer
Level Designer

An important aspect of this course is ensuring that graduates are employable in a range of areas within games and adjacent industries at a variety of levels. Through learning skills and technologies relating to engine work, programming and project management within games.