Module Descriptors
EXPERIMENTAL GAMES PRODUCTION
GDEV50059
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 5
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Adam Martin
Email: adam.martin@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 72
Independent Study Hours: 228
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO - 2400 WORDS MAX weighted at 40% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 1,2,4
- EXPERIMENTAL GAME PROJECT PORTFOLIO - GAME PROJECT FILE, PLAYTHROUGH VIDEO AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION weighted at 60% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 3,4
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Key module themes include:
Alternative Game controllers
Hardware interface prototyping
User-centric Design approaches
Agile Game Production
Arcade Games and Spectator Value
Serious and Impactful Games
Educational & Heritage Games
Health & Fitness Games
Alternative Game controllers
Hardware interface prototyping
User-centric Design approaches
Agile Game Production
Arcade Games and Spectator Value
Serious and Impactful Games
Educational & Heritage Games
Health & Fitness Games
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Assessment 1: Research and Development Portfolio 40%:
Students will provide a series of screenshots, summaries and videos, evidencing iterative development, and critical reflection throughout the project.
Assessment 2: Experimental Game Project Portfolio 60%:
A portfolio containing Media game project source files, playthrough video and a project description suitable for an online portfolio.
Students will provide a series of screenshots, summaries and videos, evidencing iterative development, and critical reflection throughout the project.
Assessment 2: Experimental Game Project Portfolio 60%:
A portfolio containing Media game project source files, playthrough video and a project description suitable for an online portfolio.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Identify and summarize a range of practical and theoretical principles relevant to the creation of novel gameplay experiences.
Knowledge & Understanding
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of work created and the approaches taken during the production of an experimental game.
Reflection
3. Describe project outcomes and the underlying concepts upon which they are based to a variety of audiences.
Communication
4. Apply technical principles and theoretical game design concepts that support innovation, problem-solving and creativity within a games design project.
Application & Problem Solving
Knowledge & Understanding
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of work created and the approaches taken during the production of an experimental game.
Reflection
3. Describe project outcomes and the underlying concepts upon which they are based to a variety of audiences.
Communication
4. Apply technical principles and theoretical game design concepts that support innovation, problem-solving and creativity within a games design project.
Application & Problem Solving
RESOURCES
Electronics Lab & Maker Spaces
Arduino Prototyping Kits
Arcade Games Hardware
Games Lab with Game Engine Software
Mixed Reality & XR labs
Unreal Engine
Digital Academy Forums
Arduino Prototyping Kits
Arcade Games Hardware
Games Lab with Game Engine Software
Mixed Reality & XR labs
Unreal Engine
Digital Academy Forums
TEXTS
Fullerton, T. (2024) Game Design Workshop : A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games. Fifth edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003460268.
Jagoda, P. (2020) Experimental Games : Critique, Play, and Design in the Age of Gamification. 1st edn. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Available at: doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226630038.001.0001
O’Connor, P. (2020) The Craft and Science of Game Design: A Video Game Designer’s Manual. 1st edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003097006
Ricchiuti, D. (2023) Game Design Tools: Cognitive, Psychological, and Practical Approaches. 1st edn. Milton: CRC Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003229438.
Seif El-Nasr, M., Carstensdottir E., John, M. (2026) Designing Serious Games. 1st edn. MIT Press
Jagoda, P. (2020) Experimental Games : Critique, Play, and Design in the Age of Gamification. 1st edn. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Available at: doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226630038.001.0001
O’Connor, P. (2020) The Craft and Science of Game Design: A Video Game Designer’s Manual. 1st edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003097006
Ricchiuti, D. (2023) Game Design Tools: Cognitive, Psychological, and Practical Approaches. 1st edn. Milton: CRC Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003229438.
Seif El-Nasr, M., Carstensdottir E., John, M. (2026) Designing Serious Games. 1st edn. MIT Press
WEB DESCRIPTOR
Game design thrives on experimentation and innovation. This module invites you to push boundaries by creating games that are impactful, embrace new technologies, and challenge conventions. You will design, prototype, iterate, and playtest innovative gameplay experiences by exploring game mechanics, hardware interfaces, and alternative genres, developing transferable skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, and creative thinking. We encourage you to expand the possibilities of games as an expressive medium.