Assessment Component 1: Continual Assessment Evidence (40%)

This component requires students to submit brief posts that evidence their engagement with practical tasks introduced in tutorial sessions. Each submission will follow a simple template provided at the start of the module and should include:
* One or two screenshots or short clips showing the outcome of the week’s task
* One or two sentences explaining what was attempted
* A short comment on progress, questions or areas of difficulty

This approach supports the development of core digital skills and allows tutors to provide timely feedback.

Posts are not assessed on artistic or technical polish, but on engagement, clarity and completion. A schedule and an example post will be provided to ensure transparency and support consistency.

Assessment Component 2: Portfolio (60%)

A portfolio of work weighted at 60% showcasing the application of taught and researched design principles to conceptualise game mechanics and systems. This will include screenshots and short videos demonstrating ongoing development and the final completed project, and documentation (max. 1000 words) detailing ongoing development, and testing results.

- Analysis of game mechanics
- Analysis of controls and functionality
- Analysis of platform specific mechanics
- Game play design
- The gameplay experiences
- Working within set mechanics limitations

1. Research a range of design theories relating to games and their impact on the player experience.

Programme Learning Outcome: Research Skills

2. Demonstrate an understanding about how design theories can be applied to the development of game mechanics.

Programme Learning Outcome: Knowledge and Understanding

3. Apply game design theories to the design of new game mechanics which extend and improve the player experience.

Programme Learning Outcome: Application and Problem Solving

4. Communicate how your design and the related game design theories improve the player experience to justify your design decisions.

Programme Learning Outcome: Communication

Learning and teaching activities will be delivered through a structured blend of scheduled and independent study designed to support a coherent learning journey. Scheduled sessions will typically include lectures that introduce core concepts and workshops/tutorials that allow students to apply techniques, engage in facilitated discussions, and undertake activities focused on problem solving and peer learning. Independent study will involve research tasks, design tasks, and ongoing development of project work supported by the resources provided.

- Digital Academy
- Microsoft Office for Documentation
- IS and Faculty Laboratories with Internet Access, and Blackboard

Beardwood, M (2025). Fundamental Level Design and Analysis: A to B, 1st Edition. CRC Press

Kramarzewski, A. and Nucci, E.D. (2023) Practical Game Design: A Modern and Comprehensive Guide to Video Game Design. Second edition. Birmingham: Packt Publishing, Limited.

Rogers, S. (2024) Level up! the Guide to Great Video Game Design. 3rd edn. Newark: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.

Fullerton, T. (2024) Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games. Fifth edition. CRC Press.

Schell, J. (2014) The art of game design: a book of lenses. Second edition. CRC Press.

This module introduces you to the process of games design and creation. You will learn how to design gameplay experiences by analysing existing game design theory and deconstructing existing games.