In this module, students will focus on learning the tools and techniques required to make games that are targeted at social networks and mobile platforms. During this process, a design document will be created which forms the basis for the developed game. A complete and polished version of this game will then be created using scripting languages within either a commercial game engine or a social network API. Students will learn the practical techniques necessary to script and create games within these emerging platforms. Topics include:

- Scripting for social and mobile platforms
- Social and mobile platform constraints
- Game mechanics for social and mobile games
- Data handling
- Asset handling
- Networking
- GUI design
- Sound and effects

COURSEWORK weighted at 50%

A design document for a chosen game to run on either a social or mobile platform and one game built either for a social or mobile platform that extends a basic framework that demonstrates the required technical skills for social and mobile games development. (Learning Outcomes 1 and 3)

COURSEWORK weighted at 50%

One complete game built from the previously developed design document that demonstrates a core understanding of games design and implementation within the constraints of the target platform. (Learning Outcomes 2 and 4)

1 x 2 hour interactive lecture per week.

Unity Game Development Essentials, W Goldstone, PACKT PUBLISHING 2009, ISBN: 978-1847198181

Game Development with Unity, Michelle Menard, Delmar Cengage Learning 2011, ISBN: 978-1435456587

Unity 3D Game Development by Example Beginner's Guide, R Creighton, PACKT PUBLISHING 2010, ISBN: 978-1849690546

Beginning 3D Game Development with Unity, Sue Blackman, APRESS ACADEMIC 2011, ISBN: 978-1430234227

Mastering Unreal Technology: v. 1: Introduction to Level Design with Unreal Engine 3: A Beginner's Guide to Level Design in Unreal Engine 3 (2009) # ISBN-10: 0672329913
# ISBN-13: 978-0672329913

Advanced Level Design with Unreal Technology: Using Unreal Engine 3: 2 (Mastering Unreal Technology) (2009) # ISBN-10: 0672329921, # ISBN-13: 978-0672329920

Game Development Essentials: Gameplay Mechanics, Troy Dunniway, Published by Delmar (2008), ISBN-13: 978-1418052690

Unreal Development Kit Game Programming with UnrealScript: Beginner's Guide - Rachel Cordone (2011) #ISBN-10: 1849691924 #ISBN-13: 978-1849691925

Unity Game Engine
Unreal Development Kit

Prior study of either CE70067-5 Advanced 3D Games Engines and Scripting or CE70015-5 Rapid Games Prototyping or equivalent.