This module will enable you to develop your research and self-learning skills by providing you with the opportunity to undertake and manage a significant independent project.


You will be responsible for managing the project with the assistance of a supervisor. Overall, this module brings together all the skills you have developed throughout your course and aims to develop your project management, research, development, and communication skills.


You will be tasked to identify a potential games development related project in art, design or technology. You’re required to write a project proposal. The project must be related to your course and be of a suitable level of complexity. Once approved you will conduct research, seek ethical approval, develop a complex artefact, and form a critical analysis of the project.


If you’re undertaking the dissertation route, you’ll be required appropriate methods of research will be used throughout the project such as reviewing literature, web-based research, primary research & testing, data gathering, statistical analysis, reviewing products currently on the marking and presenting the resulting information appropriately.


You will be required to submit a report detailing the context of the project and the knowledge you have obtained through your research. The report should conform to prescribed standards of referencing and be critical throughout.


If you’re following the artefact route, the project requires you to demonstrate a advanced scholarship in the production of a high-quality solution to a proposed games subject area following industry standard toolsets, techniques and proficiencies.

The student will document their creative journey and their design and production processes used through the project in a well formatted art book or development diary which could be taken to interviews.



It is vital that you apply for faculty ethical committee approval for your project and complete a risk assessment.



The project topic will be chosen by yourself or a member of the games industry and will be approved by your academic supervisor and your course lead. In select cases a member of the industry may also act as a second supervisor for the project.



Where possible the module will incorporate projects in collaboration with games studios. This includes art tests and live briefs where available and appropriate.

There are 2 routes through the Game Development Project. The student can choose the most appropriate route based on their course and project specialty.



Assessment Component 1 is required for both routes



Assessment Component 1:

Project Proposal & Mid-point Review weighted at 10% consisting of:

You will complete a project proposal outlining your project and the necessary research and methodology required to complete the proposal. This includes any project specific documentation as outlined in the brief.

Complete a mid-point review of your work which:

Showcases work completed to date,

Highlights completed research and techniques required for the successful completion of your project

Evaluates the work and assessing your ability to follow through on your proposed project



Option A

In this route the final submission components consist of the following for assessment components 2 and 3:



Assessment Component 2:

Practical Artefact weighted at 70% consisting of:

You will complete a high-quality Practical artefact in line with the project proposal.

The artefact should include highly developed solutions to an industry standard quality.

It should be a demonstration of advanced technical or industry relevant techniques/solutions in your chosen field.

A demonstration of expertise in the field of Concept, Games Art, or Design and Development



Assessment Component 3:

Artefact Development Report weighted at 20% (equivalent to 2,500 words) consisting of:

You will create a digital document covering research, expert insight into production methodology, critical analysis and reflection which focuses on the journey and creative processes used through the project.

Each development book culminates with insightful breakdown of the practical work.

The style and formatting should align with industry standard press or professional development publications. For example, in the style of Vertex.



Option B

In this route the final submission components consist of the following for assessment components 2 and 3:



Assessment Component 2:

Dissertation weighted at 70% consisting of:

You will complete a 12,000 - 15,000 word dissertation which covers all aspects of the project using appropriate research techniques

The dissertation will be supported by a fully developed artefact that has been developed based off the research you have conducted.



Assessment Component 3:

Project Viva weighted at 20% consisting of:

You will undertake a presentation of the research and findings along with a demonstration of the artefact to the supervisor and 2nd supervisor

2-hour induction sessions are also provided for the first 4 weeks, the topics will include:

Appropriate project topics

Documentation structure

Ethical approval

Project identification

Project management

Research techniques

Presentation guidance



1x1 hr Subject specific employability skills lectures focused on Games Art, Design or Technology subjects



Most of your time will be spent in self-managed learning. You will be expected to manage the project by using a suitable project methodology and use this to manage your time and reflect on your progress.



An important part of the learning strategy is the direct one-to-one supervision of your project by a supervisor. Contact hours would typically be 20 minutes per week.

Module Learning Outcome

1. Propose and implement an advanced negotiated programme of research, critical analysis and production, leading to a high-quality artefact

Enquiry, Analysis

2. Using knowledge gained from research, design and create an appropriate and effective artefact and document.

University Learning Outcome

Problem Solving, Application

3. Implement advanced artistic and/or technical and industry relevant techniques in the production of the artefact.

University Learning Outcome

Knowledge and Understanding

4. Communicate and critically reflect the design and creative processes used in development of the artefact in a report and presentations.

University Learning Outcome

Communication, Reflection

Games Development Software(Autodesk Creative Suite, Blender, ZBrush, SpeedTree, Substance Suite)

Game Engine Software (Unreal Engine, Unity, etc

Image Editing Software (Photoshop, Krita, etc)

Video Editing Software (Adobe After Effects, etc)

Simulation Software (Houdini, Marvelous Designer)

Photogrammetry Software e.g. Meshroom

Suitable IDE (Visual Studio, Rider, etc).

SDKs

Motion Capture Studio & MotionBuilder

Wacom Tablets

Microsoft Office

Digital Academy Forum

Digital Academy Upload System

Practical Research: Planning and Design

Authors Paul D. Leedy and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Publisher: Pearson; 9 edition (3 April 2009) ISBN-10: 0131365665 ISBN-13: 978-0131365667

Creswell, J. and Creswell, J., 2018. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. 5th ed. SAGE. ISBN: 1506386768

Bell, J. and Waters, S., 2018. Doing Your Research Project. 7th ed. Open University Press. ISBN: 033524338

Kuhn, Virginia and Finger, Anke. (2021). Shaping the Digital Dissertation: Knowledge Production in the Arts and Humanities. Open Book Publishers. ISBN: 1800640994

The Games Development Project module gives students an opportunity to undertake an in-depth piece of research testing and analysis or a high-quality artefact, ready for their portfolio. You can focus your studies on your career aspirations. Whether it's stylised game characters, stalking AI monsters, procedural environments, immersive level design, or a concept for futuristic vehicles. The project allows you the opportunity to work with a supervisor and tailor the project to you.

Your supervisor will be your guide and project manager. Supporting you in your journey to create a highly developed outcome with industry standard software whilst receiving lectures on portfolio development and employability.