Demonstrate a systematic comprehension of industry-standard methodologies via critical analysis and evaluation of the skills required to produce industry-quality work.¿

Knowledge and Understanding¿


Complete a development plan that meets the specification of a high-quality artefact that demonstrates a coherent harmony between narrative and level design practices.¿

Problem Solving¿


Utilise game design approaches that apply the methods and techniques within a creative process to consolidate ideas used in the development of a polished artefact.¿

Application¿


Review strategies inherent during game production by exercising time management and the transferable skills necessary for employment within the games industry.¿

Reflection¿

Assessment Component 1¿¿

Interactive Narrative Experience 100% consisting of:¿

Utilising both narrative and level design techniques, you will capstone your university experience by producing a standout portfolio piece that brings together all the game development skills you’ve developed so far into a narratively focused level design. Development for this will be journalised over a series of weeks on the Digital Academy Forum. This includes planning documentation, practical development, testing, polish, and regular personal reflection on the production process. (Learning Outcomes 1,2,3, and 4)¿

Here is a guide to the topics that will be covered in this module:¿¿
Designing Interactive Narratives.¿
Game Engine Utilisation for Narrative Levels.¿
Player Guidance.¿
Environmental Storytelling.¿
Writing, Directing, and Recording for Voice Actors.¿
Worldbuilding Paratexts.¿

As you approach the end of your academic journey, it’s time to showcase your skills in this capstone project. This module will provide you with the opportunity to take everything you’ve learned during your university experience and apply it to an interactive narrative level. The development of this narrative level will see you applying transferrable design skills from Narrative, Level, UI, and Audio fields to create a highly polished short gameplay piece that will stand out on your portfolio.¿

2 x 3-hour lecture / workshop mixes per week.¿

Case, J., Freeze, E. & Pane, S., 2024. Story Mode: The Creative Writer’s Guide to Narrative Video Game Design. Bloomsbury Academic.

Berger, R., 2019. Dramatic Storytelling & Narrative Design: A Writer’s Guide to Video Games and Transmedia. CRC Press.

Beardwood, M., 2024. Fundamental Level Design and Analysis: A to B. CRC Press.

Salmon, M., 2021. Video Game Level Design: How to Create Video Games with Emotion, Interaction, and Engagement. Bloomsbury Academic.

Norman, D., 2013. The Design of Everyday Things. MIT Press.

Schell, J., 2019. The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses. CRC Press, 3rd Ed.

Totten, C., 2014. An Architectural Approach to Level Design. CRC Press.

Swink, S., 2008. Game Feel: A Game Designer’s Guide to Virtual Sensation. Routledge.

Fullerton, T., 2019. Game Design Workshop. CRC Press, 4th ed.

Sellers, M., 2017. Advanced Game Design: A Systems Approach. Addison-Wesley Professional.

Capture Editing Software¿¿
Digital Academy Forum¿
Microsoft Office¿
Unreal Engine¿