Module Descriptors
INTRODUCTION TO GAMES DESIGN
GDEV40014
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 4
20 credits
Contact
Leader: Jarrad Gittos
Email: jarrad.gittos@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 48
Independent Study Hours: 152
Total Learning Hours: 200
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, UG Semester 1
- Occurrence B, Digital Institute London, UG Semester 1
- Occurrence C, South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site, UG Semester 1
- Occurrence D, Burton and South Derbyshire College, UG Semester 1
- Occurrence E, Stoke-on-Trent College, UG Semester 1
Sites
- Burton and South Derbyshire College
- Digital Institute London
- South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site
- Stoke Campus
- Stoke-on-Trent College
Assessment
- Continual Assessment weighted at 40%
- Portfolio weighted at 60%
Module Details
MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Identify features of game engines and their application in the game development process
2. Discuss design techniques and analytical skills in the creation of levels and mechanics
3. Recognize game elements to effectively reproduce them into a games engine
4. Use design and development techniques to create and modify game systems
2. Discuss design techniques and analytical skills in the creation of levels and mechanics
3. Recognize game elements to effectively reproduce them into a games engine
4. Use design and development techniques to create and modify game systems
MODULE ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Assessment Component 1 – (Learning outcomes 1 and 3)
Continual Assessment weighted at 40% consisting of:
- A series of forum posts evidencing the completion of a set of challenges from tutorial sessions
Assessment Component 2 – (Learning outcomes 2 and 4)
A Portfolio weighted at 60% consisting of:
- A series of games project files, video playthroughs and an accompanying critically reflective commentary
Continual Assessment weighted at 40% consisting of:
- A series of forum posts evidencing the completion of a set of challenges from tutorial sessions
Assessment Component 2 – (Learning outcomes 2 and 4)
A Portfolio weighted at 60% consisting of:
- A series of games project files, video playthroughs and an accompanying critically reflective commentary
MODULE INDICATIVE CONTENT
- Introduction to Games Engines and their application within the game development process.
- Introduction to game creation using a games engine.
- Introduction to scripting.
- Creating game design documentation
- Level creation and decoration
- Introduction to game creation using a games engine.
- Introduction to scripting.
- Creating game design documentation
- Level creation and decoration
WEB DESCRIPTOR
This module introduces students to games design through the analysis, design and implementation of game levels and mechanics.
Using a games engine, students will learn how to create game mechanics using scripting, and then implement these mechanics into levels of their own design.
Using a games engine, students will learn how to create game mechanics using scripting, and then implement these mechanics into levels of their own design.
MODULE LEARNING STRATEGIES
2 x 3-hour tutorials per week.
MODULE TEXTS
Blueprints Visual Scripting for Unreal Engine 5, 2022, Marcus Romero and Brenden Sewell, Packt Publishing, ISBN 180181158X
The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses, 2008, Jesse Schell, Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN 9780123694966
3D Game Design with Unreal Engine 4 and Blender, 2016, Justin Plowman, Packt Publishing, 1785881469
Butler, S & Oliver, T, 2023 Game Development Patterns with Unreal Engine 5, Packt Publishing 9781803243252
The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses, 2008, Jesse Schell, Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN 9780123694966
3D Game Design with Unreal Engine 4 and Blender, 2016, Justin Plowman, Packt Publishing, 1785881469
Butler, S & Oliver, T, 2023 Game Development Patterns with Unreal Engine 5, Packt Publishing 9781803243252
MODULE RESOURCES
3D Modelling Software
Game Engine Software
Photo Editing Software
Video Editing/Compositing software
Digital Academy Forum
Digital Academy Upload System
Data Projection Resource
Game Engine Software
Photo Editing Software
Video Editing/Compositing software
Digital Academy Forum
Digital Academy Upload System
Data Projection Resource