Module Descriptors
INTRODUCTION TO 3D GAMES ENGINES
GAME40432
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 4
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
- An asset created using a games engine, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. weighted at 50%
- A playable asset, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Resources
Unreal Engine
3DS Max
Photoshop
3DS Max
Photoshop
Module Texts
Master the Art of Unreal Engine 4
Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design, John Wiley & Sons; 2nd Edition edition (9 May 2014),
Level Design for Games: Creating Compelling Game Experiences (2006) by Phil Co. Publisher: New Riders
Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design, John Wiley & Sons; 2nd Edition edition (9 May 2014),
Level Design for Games: Creating Compelling Game Experiences (2006) by Phil Co. Publisher: New Riders
Module Learning Strategies
3 hour lecture/tutorial per week delivered as 8 weeks intensive Lecture/Tutorial followed 4 weeks of surgery sessions each semester.
Module Additional Assesment Details
COURSEWORK 100 % composed of 2 assets
Asset 1: An asset created using a games engine, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. It should use industry processes, showing the correct workflow for the final piece. Learning Outcomes: 1, 2 and 4
Asset 2: A playable asset that has working win and loss conditions, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. It should use industry processes, showing the correct workflow for the final piece. Learning Outcomes: 1, 3 and 4
Asset 1: An asset created using a games engine, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. It should use industry processes, showing the correct workflow for the final piece. Learning Outcomes: 1, 2 and 4
Asset 2: A playable asset that has working win and loss conditions, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. It should use industry processes, showing the correct workflow for the final piece. Learning Outcomes: 1, 3 and 4
Module Additional Assessment Details
A COURSEWORK composed of 2 assets [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4]
An asset created using a games engine, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. It should use industry processes, showing the correct workflow for the final piece. Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4
A playable asset that has working win and loss conditions, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. It should use industry processes, showing the correct workflow for the final piece.
Learning Outcomes 1, 3 and 4
An asset created using a games engine, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. It should use industry processes, showing the correct workflow for the final piece. Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4
A playable asset that has working win and loss conditions, along with an accompanying reflective discussion. It should use industry processes, showing the correct workflow for the final piece.
Learning Outcomes 1, 3 and 4
Module Indicative Content
Students will cover the basics of a games engine, how they have evolved over time and how all the elements of a games engine function as one entity. They will also be introduced to a games engine's software development kit (SDK) toolset that will cover the following elements whilst relating to resources and balanced functionality.
Construction, lighting and texturing
Game physics
Importing assets
Control volumes
Materials and Shaders
Particle Systems
Map flow
Basic game mechanics and prototyping
Construction, lighting and texturing
Game physics
Importing assets
Control volumes
Materials and Shaders
Particle Systems
Map flow
Basic game mechanics and prototyping
Module Learning Outcomes
1. DEMONSTRATE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF A 3D GAMES ENGINE.
[Knowledge and Understanding]
2. DEMONSTRATE THE KNOWLEDGE TO INTERACT WITH A GAMES ENGINE'S SDK TOOLSET.
[Learning]
3. APPLY KNOWLEDGE OF GAME ENGINES BASIC FUNCTIONALITY AND CONTRAINTS.
[Application]
4. USE A BROAD RANGE OF FUNCTIONS WITHIN A GAMES ENGINE TO CREATE GAME LEVELS.
[Problem Solving]
[Knowledge and Understanding]
2. DEMONSTRATE THE KNOWLEDGE TO INTERACT WITH A GAMES ENGINE'S SDK TOOLSET.
[Learning]
3. APPLY KNOWLEDGE OF GAME ENGINES BASIC FUNCTIONALITY AND CONTRAINTS.
[Application]
4. USE A BROAD RANGE OF FUNCTIONS WITHIN A GAMES ENGINE TO CREATE GAME LEVELS.
[Problem Solving]