BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design

DAT441
Disruptive Design Strategies 20 credits

This 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, facilitate by industry standard design software.

FAPY100
Stage 1 Placement Preparation 0 credits

If you’re undertaking a company placement in your third year, this module helps you find a suitable placement, and prepares you for the placement itself.

GAD442
Introduction to Immersion 20 credits

This module introduces issues and techniques involved in designing and developing immersive experiences. Students will be introduced to rapid prototyping to explore a wide range of immersive elements within game design, exploring what immersion is and how the audio-visual elements of video games contribute to worldbuilding and user experience.

GAD443
Game Programming 20 credits

This module introduces coding for game designers, explored through the creation of a playful interactive project. Working with programming languages and game engines, students learn to use code to make their drawings and animations come to life with dynamic and interactive behaviours. Key programming concepts such as variables and conditional logic, are introduced alongside relevant game studies topics. Students will apply what they have learnt to solve problems and create engaging gameplay.

GAD444
Interactive Narrative 20 credits

You will explore interactive storytelling and animation / sequence creation within your work via a range of traditional and digital media and formats. Storytelling, narrative pacing, creative writing and animation are features of this module. Critical reflective writing underpins practical work.

GAD445
Character and Environment Design 40 credits

Students create character and environment concepts as digital paintings, and realise their designs as detailed animated 3D models. Drawing and painting skills are developed, exploring figure, proportion, lighting, colour and anatomy. Students learn advanced modelling and texturing skills using state-of-the-art software platforms, rigging their characters for animation, and exporting them to game engines. In addition, students develop presentation skills and showcase their work in a digital portfolio.

GAD551
Level Design 40 credits

This module focuses on designing virtual environments and game levels. Students will consider the ludic and narrative role of level design and apply these to the production of an interactive game environment. Students will be presented with a variety of theoretical frameworks that will help them better understand human cognitive processes and thus aid them in designing and creating more engaging game levels.

GAD553
Game Development 40 credits

This module builds on the game development skills learned to this point and applies them to working with a range of different game genres. Students work as individuals or small teams to propose and develop an interactive experience, creating a reflective design journal on the development process. To accompany this, students will research and explore a chosen role within the games industry.

FAPY501
Stage 2 Placement Preparation

This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme or are looking for other work opportunities. It is designed build on the Level 1 module (FAPY100) and to assist students in their search and application for a placement and/or other work experience and in their preparation for the placement itself.

DAT552
Virtuality & Immersion 20 credits

This module provides a firm introduction to virtuality and immersion – augmented reality, virtual reality, and dome environments. During this module, students explore and utilize a range of immersive technologies and design practices on subjects such as scientific simulation, virtual heritage, architectural visualization, and more. Techniques like 3D capture and photogrammetry are also introduced, and a range of resources are provided, such as AR and VR headsets, for developing complete immersive solutions, applications, and artworks. The module is optional, and it is recommended for students that are interested in pursuing specialization on immersive media.

DAT554
Common Challenge: Creative Industries 20 credits

This module offers a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary creative industries. It explores the dynamic changes in key sectors that are brought about by the impact of new media technologies, quantified by a written response to the given context. Students will also in this module engage through a group research and development project to provide a speculative but achievable solution to a brief. Where possible this will be a live client.

FAPY604
Digital Art and Technology/Internet Design Placement

An extend period of professional training (at least the duration of both teaching semesters - 36 weeks) spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company (either a paid placement or unpaid internship). This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

DAT663
Gameplay 20 credits

This module develops audio, visual, immersive, and interaction production skills with the specific application to video game design. Students will showcase the developed prototypes at a public games showcase event at the end of term.

GAD669
Final Year Project 60 credits

The Final Year Project (FYP) is student-led, negotiated through close liaison with an allocated supervisor. Students will create a creative, industry-standard and/or experimental piece of work that demonstrates their practical and theoretical skills in a given field or specialism. The students work will then be promoted and displayed at the end of year show, with the students helping to promote and organise the event.

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.

DAT661
Realtime 20 credits

This module develops audio, visual, immersive, and interaction production skills with the specific application to a public exhibition space with a predefined theme. Students will draw from a variety of sources, disciplines and media that they have explore to this point on the course.

DAT662
Everyware 20 credits

Through practical project work the module explores the evolution of the Internet of Things, the emergence of Pervasive Media and the application of Physical Computing. Projects are framed within a critical exploration of space as a cultural, social and technological phenomenon and models of architecture, communities and personal identity.

DAT664
Venture Culture 20 credits

This module introduces students to the concepts of entrepreneurship through the practical exploration of individual, collaborative and organisational creative enterprise. Operating as a pragmatic vehicle for generating new ventures within the creative industries, the formation of prototype companies enables students to rehearse the commercialisation of their practice.