In preparation for the module, students will attend a range of lectures on topics such as:

Working in groups

Effective communication for collaborative projects

Project management tools and methodologies

Using source control

Development review processes

Quality assurance


Additional learning content will be provided via video content on a range of development topics targeted at different roles and responsibilities.


Students will work in a junior role in a group comprised of students from both level 5 and level 6 from all courses in the Games Development Department including concept artists, 3D artists, designers, programmers, animators and technical designers.


The groups will be working towards a vertical slice of a game, evidencing the core gameplay and visual elements supported by multiple members of the teaching team in the role of group supervisors.

Assessment Component 1 - (Learning Outcomes 1,3 and 4)

Vertical Slice of a Game weighted at 50% consisting of:

Work as a junior member of a team, contributing to the development of the game, producing assets and artifacts suitable for use in your groups vertical slice demo of a game.



Assessment Component 2 - (Learning Outcomes 2 and 3)

Portfolio of Individual Contributions weighted at 50% consisting of:

Produce documentation, showreels and portfolio assets to evidence your contributions to the game project and a reflective, critical analysis of personal practise.

4 x 1-hour introductory lectures in semester before module.

2 x 4-hour development days a week onsite, working with group

1 x 8-hour development days a week remote, working with group via online communication tools.


Learning will be supported by a range of collaboration and project management tools where students will be expected to engage.

1. Work effectively as an individual within a project team to produce a game.

2. Reflect on their own personal skills and attributes valuable to a team.

3. Consider a range of established techniques and select an appropriate approach to provide solutions to problems.

4. Communicate within a team as junior members towards a common goal.

Game Engine Software

Autodesk Suite

Adobe Suite

Microsoft Word

Digital Academy Forums

Digital Academy Uploads

Blender

Marvelous Designer

Z-Brush

Adams, E. & Dormans, J. 2012, Game mechanics: advanced game design, First edn, New Riders, Berkeley, Calif. ISBN 0321820274


Fullerton, T. 2014;2008;, Game design workshop: a playcentric approach to creating innovative games, 3rd edn, CRC Press, Boca Raton ISBN 1482217163


Mitchell, B.L. & Books24x7, I. 2012, Game design essentials, 1. Aufl.;1; edn, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Indianapolis, IN. ISBN 1118159276


Todd, D. 2007, Game design: from blue sky to green light, A K Peters, Wellesley, Mass ISBN 156881318X


Schell, J. 2015; 2008;, The art of game design: a book of lenses, 2nd edn, CRC Press, Boca Raton. ISBN 0123694965


Gazaway, D., 2021. Introduction to Game Systems Design. Pearson. ISBN 0137440847

Schreiber, I. & Romero, B., 2021. Game Balance. CRC Press. ISBN 1498799574

Students will work in a junior role in a group comprised of students from across the suite of games development courses to mimic a games development studio. They will work with other juniors and level 6 students who take the role of seniors, to make a vertical slice of a game.