This module will allow students to gain a greater understanding of the area of mobile game development with an appreciation of the business purpose of game development, and not just the creation of fun.

These include:

Idea generation
Engine Specific Development
UI
App Store Optimisation (ASO)
Monetisation
User Acquisition and User Retention
First Time Through for Mobile
Finding the fun
Platform Continuity
Planning and Presentation via digital documents
Testing and Data Analysis
Entrepreneurial thinking
Publisher Pitching
Design Documentation
Technical Documentation

Assessment Component 1 – The Mobile Game [Learning Outcomes 1 and 2] 60%

This assessment will require the development of a mobile game. The intention of the game is not to create a large-scale AAA mobile game, but to think strategically into the business applications of the mobile game and how monetisation, acquisition, and retention play a key role in the mobile game’s gameplay, as well as the need to create a game that is ultimately fun.

Assessment Component 2 – The Plan [Learning Outcomes 3 and 4] 40%

This assessment requires the need to produce planning documentation in the form of a Game Technical Design Document. This Document will include:

An overview of the design choices made within the game
The technical choices made
The testing strategy

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 that allow students to apply techniques, engage in facilitated discussions, and undertake activities focused on problem solving and peer learning. Independent study will involve, recommended reading, research tasks, and ongoing development of project work supported by the resources provided.

1. Assess the capabilities of contemporary mobile game engines and middleware, analysing how their features can be leveraged to optimise performance and asset quality in a commercial context.

Digital Literacy

2. Integrate your knowledge and transferable skills to formulate and devise appropriate solutions to complex problems in the development of a mobile game.

Application and Problem Solving

3. Articulate complex technical and design concepts to non-technical stakeholders, clearly demonstrating the commercial viability or user-experience benefits of specific development choices.

Communication

4. Proactively identify emerging trends and technologies within the mobile sector to inform a personal development plan, ensuring your technical and transferrable skills remain aligned with your career trajectory.

Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

Game Lab
Mobile Capable Game Engine
Programming IDE
VLE
Office365
University of Staffordshire Library
Internet Access
Digital Academy Forum
Digital Academy Upload

Roberts, P. (2026) Game AI Uncovered series, CRC Press.

Doran, J.P. (2023) Unity 2022 mobile game development: build and publish engaging games for Android and iOS. 3rd Revised edition. Birmingham: Packt Publishing.

Wojda, I. and Moskala, M. (2025) Android Development with Kotlin: Enhance your skills for Android development using Kotlin. Birmingham, UK: Packt Publishing Limited.

Futter, M. (2017) The gamedev business handbook: how to build the business you’ll build games with! London: Bithell Games.

Hill-Whittall, R. (2015) The Indie Game Developer Handbook. Burlington, MA: Focal Press.

This module joins the dots between technical mobile development and the business skills you need to sell a game. We look at the nuts and bolts of porting and building for mobile, but the real focus is on the entrepreneurial side: taking an indie project from a rough idea through to a solid release plan.