Module Descriptors
2D GAMES ENGINES
GAME30400
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 3
30 credits
Contact
Leader: David James
Email: D.James@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 72
Independent Study Hours: 228
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
  • COURSEWORK weighted at 50%
  • 2ND COURSEWORK weighted at 50%
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Creation of high quality 2D game.
Modification of an existing 2D or 2.5D game.
Use of Photoshop for games specific tasks.
Integration of audio and animation into a 2D game.
Game Pipelines and practise.
Asset creation and implementation.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
3 hour lecture/tutorial per week delivered as 8 weeks intensive Lecture/Tutorial followed 4 weeks of surgery sessions each semester.
TEXTS
The Game Maker's Apprentice: Game Development for Beginners
Publisher: APRESS; Pap/Cdr edition (24 Jul 2006)
ISBN-10: 1590596153

Getting Started with Game Maker
Publisher: Course Technology PTR (19 Jul 2009)
ISBN-10: 1598638823

Basic Projects in Game Maker
Publisher: Payne-Gallway Publishers (9 Jan 2009)
ISBN-10: 1905292570

Advanced 2D Game Development
Publisher: Delmar; 1 edition (9 Jul 2008)
ISBN-10: 1598633422

2d Artwork and 3d Modelling for Game Artists
Publisher: Prima Tech; Pap/Cdr edition (23 Dec 2002)
ISBN-10: 1931841330
RESOURCES
Game Maker Studio 1.4, Adobe Photoshop, UE4
The Project Handbook
The Library
IS and Faculty laboratories with Internet access, and Blackboard.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF MULTIPLE GAME ENGINES AND THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT SKILLS.
[Knowledge & Understanding; Learning; Enquiry]

2. RESEARCH GAME ELEMENTS TO EFFECTIVELY BREAK THEM DOWN AND IMPLEMENT THEM INTO A GAMES ENGINE
[Enquiry]

3. ANALYSE, INTERPRET AND APPLY PATTERNS IN GAMES DESIGN TO DEVELOP GAMES DESIGN SOLUTIONS.
[Analysis]

4. DEVELOP PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES WITHIN THE GAMES DESIGN DISCIPLINE IN ORDER TO CREATE AND MODIFY GAMES
[Problem Solving; Application]
Module Additional Assessment Details
Coursework weighted at 50%
Creation of a game level from a given framework as well as develop a log of tutorial tasks and technical documentation / videos

Learning Outcomes: 1, 2 and 3

A COURSEWORK weighted at 50%
Modification and expansion of a given framework to create a functioning level as well as develop log of tutorial tasks and technical documentation / videos

Learning Outcomes:1,2,3 and 4

Web Descriptor
This module introduces students to the Unreal 4 game engine. By utilising custom frameworks, students will lean the fundamentals of level construction and start to explore scripting in Blueprint – UE4’s scripting language. Assignments are split into two semesters, each focusing on a different framework and game style