Year 1
Core modules
Playful Making (GDES701)
Students build game creation skills through playful experimentation, exploring design and communication strategies such as pitching, storyboarding and rapid prototyping. Game design theory is introduced and put into practice through a range of prototypes and strategies. Students experiment with game engines, coding, and game art software, and the possibilities of alternative and experimental gaming platforms such as the city. The module culminates in a "game jam", where students create a functioning game prototype.
Game Studies (GDES702)
Students research and analyse game design theory concepts, investigating topics such as gamification, serious games, playbour, ludology, urban gaming, non-linear narrative, representation, realism and simulation, as well as critical research methods. The module culminates in an essay examining a particular game design concept and critiquing its use within a range of game texts.
Game Craft (GDES703)
Students choose a particular specialist games-industry skill as a focus for research and practice, developing their knowledge and expertise in their chosen area. Students may choose from any relevant area of study, such as character or environment art, creative producer, game and level design, game programming, audio design, narrative design and marketing. Students produce a final piece of work to demonstrate their craft, supported by a design journal documenting their process.
Professional Practice (GDES704)
This module aims to prepare students to engage with the games industry and broader economy and maximise their professional potential. Students research the commercial games landscape, investigating global markets, speculative models, job roles and workflows, with a particular focus on their chosen specialism. Students develop their online presence through professional social media profiles, portfolio sites and CVs, and produce new work to fill their portfolios, and critically analyse an element of the games industry in an essay.
Final Project (GDES705)
Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
