University of Cumbria

BSc (Hons) in Games Development

BSc (Hons) Games Development is a programme that focuses on the creative development, design and production aspects of computer game development.

You will develop your own personal iconography and technical skills through a combination of practical work using traditional and digital technologies, the study of the underpinning principles, work-based and collaborative learning, and authentic work-related assessments with industry-led briefs/assignments. This course aims at the development of compelling interactive and immersive gaming experiences; as well as the development and design principles of gameplay mechanics and level design for a variety of game genres applied to the creation of rich narrative and emotional experiences.

Year One

A distinct feature of studying at the University of Cumbria is that in level 4, first year, you will study two modules with all level 4 students of the Institute of Art. These modules are Cultural Contexts and Collaborative Practice. Cultural Contexts introduces you to a range of approaches to reading a diverse range of visual creative arts, and Collaborative Practice is a module where you will work with other students and embark on a problem-solving project practising professional skills such as leadership, teamwork and project management.

Also in the first year, we want you to engage in a series of core workshops and studio practice designed to introduce and develop key knowledge, technical skill set, and technique. Alongside this, and in the definition of your production understanding, you will work collaboratively on a media arts live project.

• Gaming For Game Designers
• Visual Storytelling
• Coding for Games and Digital Media 1
• Cultural Contexts
• Collaborative Practice
• Creative Technologies

Year Two

This year will look to develop ideation and conceptual skills and allow you to be experimental in production creation and thinking. It builds on the foundational practice of level 4 and will build your confidence while progressing your skill set and technique.

In the second year, the development of key production skill sets and research is in the refinement of practice and a growing appreciation, and identification of specialism interests. Modules may include external collaboration and live briefs. The focus on professional practice will support your production and conceptual thinking and help in your transition into independent research and preproduction for your final-year project. This is an opportunity for you to build a practice that interests them and identify long-term plans. The course will turn production interest into expert knowledge.

• Concept to Prototype
• Games Creation – Design to Distribution
• Coding for Games and Digital Media 2
• Game Technologies Workshop

Year Three

The final year will look to tailor projects to your individual interests, specialism in practice and professional opportunities, supporting your thinking with high-level technical skills and the development of industry-level production outcomes - the final year of the course allows you to apply all the skills and learning from previous modules in creating a games artefact based completely on your own ideas, aesthetic style, and technical skill set. Modules will support your production, research and development, and experimentation with advanced techniques in the definition of a final major project – you will graduate with a professional-level skill set, clear career goals and a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary games development industry.

• Markets, Audiences & Exhibition
• Group Game Project
• Theory & Research Methods in the Arts
• Media Arts Dissertation

How You Will Be Assessed

A wide range of authentic assessment types are used in order to develop a full range of work-related skills, eg industry-led ‘live brief’, and project development both individually and as part of a team. This variety of methods ensures the practice, and assessment, of key and graduate skills build a comprehensive awareness of the industry and your potential employability post-graduation.

Specific examples of this:

• Module Work Book, bespoke eBooks (electronic handbooks and project record/document), containing information, formative tasks, self-grading exercises, embedded video clips, etc. to assist in specific modules ILO but also to enhance a culture of independent learning
• Presentations/Pitching, where you are able to show work to tutors and peers in advance of assignment submission
• Seminars & Project Surgeries, a series of developmental seminars run where you review and comment on each other’s work, guided by tutors
• Review of portfolio/blogs, regular feedback tutorial opportunities recorded in the process of identifying your understanding of practice, materials and creative processes

All of these activities promote learning partnerships between you, your peers and the staff. This combination allows you to rapidly upskill and prepare for the exciting prospect of working in the Games industry

On This Course You Will...

• Work on industry-led briefs allowing you to develop your autonomy, creativity and professionalism for your chosen specialism.
• Understand programming principles and their relation to coding development, and demonstrate developing games for new platforms and their associated operating systems.
• Be encouraged to take a critical and analytical approach to gameplay narrative and storytelling through the simulation of collaborative studio working groups, lectures and group critique sessions.
• Undertake group projects which will simulate the workflow of a professional studio, and be introduced to a range of research methodologies and approaches.
• Attend workshops with guest speakers - adding value to your learning experience where you can share your work with the professionals through activities and screenings.
• Be introduced to a range of new game interfaces and developing technologies, giving you confidence in new technical competencies with forms of interaction.

How You Will Learn

Use a variety of teaching approaches such as lectures, demonstrations, seminars, workshops, critique reviews, pitching and one-to-one feedback tutorials to develop and monitor your progress. You will also undertake self-directed research and within the VLE environment, participate and engage through forums, seminars and lectures as part of a dynamic learning community. The course will be delivered via a blended approach; the programme has been designed to use a range of contemporary teaching approaches that offer you the freedom to access course materials at the time of your choice, alongside a requirement for flexibility and an ever-evolving industry view in how ‘practical’ production is taught. Using both an asynchronous and synchronous teaching programme will allow you to engage in experiential learning for concentrated periods. In conjunction with this, the programme will include the use of traditional seminars, classroom and studio activities, alongside experienced academics giving you real-time feedback, and peer interaction and engaging you as part of a learning and creative community.

Example of Teaching Activities & Tools:

• Video lectures
• Podcast style lecture
• Interactive Flipped Classroom (with Gamification at its core)
• Practical workshops and masterclasses
• Screening of work
• Production tasks
• Small group seminars
• 1:2:1 tutorial
• Team projects