Identifying and defining a technical challenge suitable for a collaborative games development project

Investigating tools, technologies and theories that inform collaborative technical design

Planning and coordinating group workflows, including task allocation, production pipelines and communication strategies

Prototyping, experimentation and iterative development within a team setting

Implementing gameplay systems, interaction models or applied game technologies using appropriate collaborative development practices

Version control, documentation standards and shared asset management

Approaches for testing, debugging and evaluating team-based technical outcomes

Recording and evidencing individual contributions within a group project

Techniques for presenting collaborative work and justifying individual decisions in professional and academic contexts

Ethical and professional considerations in collaborative technical production environments

Assessment 1: Midpoint Review 10% [Learning Outcome 1]

Students will deliver a group presentation outlining their proposed collaborative project. The midpoint review should demonstrate a clear understanding of the technical and creative concepts underpinning the work and provide an overview of the group’s early investigation, identified challenges, development roles and planned final outputs. Teams must communicate their ideas clearly and professionally, using appropriate visual or interactive material to present the project rationale and intended development pathway. Feedback from this review will support refinement of the project prior to further development.

Assessment 2: Collaborative Technical Artefact 50% [Learning Outcome 3]

Students will work together to design and develop a shared technical artefact that responds directly to a defined group research question or development challenge. This may take the form of a playable game, interactive experience or applied games technology prototype. The artefact should demonstrate effective collaboration, integration of technical skills and an organised production workflow.

Each group will produce the final artefact supported by team documentation such as development logs, design materials, prototypes, system diagrams or demonstration media as appropriate. Although produced collaboratively, the artefact must clearly reflect contributions from all team members.

Assessment 3: Development Document 20% [Learning Outcomes 1,2,4]

Students will produce an academically rigorous individual development document that records and explains their contribution to the collaborative project. The document should provide a clear account of the student’s personal workflow, technical decision making and development activity throughout the project.

The development document must include:

A clear statement of the student’s role, responsibilities and intended contribution within the group
A detailed account of the student’s technical implementation work, supported by evidence such as prototypes, system designs, code extracts or development logs
An explanation of how the student applied relevant research, technical knowledge and methodological approaches to inform their work
A critical evaluation of the student’s contribution, including strengths, limitations, challenges encountered and strategies for improvement
Clear and professional communication presented using appropriate academic and technical conventions

The development document should demonstrate the student’s ability to apply structured research, integrate technical practice and reflect on the effectiveness of their contribution to the collaborative artefact.

Assessment 4: Viva Presentation of Individual Contribution 20% [Learning Outcomes 4,5]

Students will complete a viva presentation that details their individual contribution to the group project. and an individual component. The individual will present the completed project, demonstrating the artefact, explaining key technical contributions they made and outlining the collaborative workflow.Each student will also submit an Individual Contribution Portfolio as a supporting document for their viva, containing evidence such as prototypes, code samples, design documents, testing reports or workflow assets that demonstrate their personal contribution to the collaborative artefact.

Students must show clarity, awareness of team processes and the ability to justify their individual decisions. They must also respond confidently to questions relating to methodology, implementation, evaluation and future development opportunities.

This assessment evaluates both collective understanding and individual accountability, ensuring that each student can articulate their work to subject experts and demonstrate readiness for professional practice.

Learning will include a series of lectures introducing project planning, research methods, analysis and dissertation writing. Students also be supported through weekly project supervision meetings, small group seminars, and technical support as required. Activities will vary depending on the nature of each dissertation project and the methodological choices made by the student. Independent study will be guided in the delivery of the student’s dissertation and artefact.

1. Apply disciplinary knowledge and critical understanding of technical concepts to work effectively as an individual within a project team in the production of a game.

Knowledge & Understanding
Critical Research and Collaboration

2. Conduct academic and technical research using appropriate methods, critically examining the accuracy, validity and limitations of your findings to grow and develop your knowledge.

Research Skills
Personal Development and Entrepreneurship

3. Integrate technical knowledge and transferable skills to produce an original group artefact that evidences discipline-specific skills.

Application & Problem Solving
Digital Literacy

4. Evaluate and reflect upon the processes, methodologies and outcomes of the group project and the individual contribution.

Reflection

5. Communicate your technical decisions, processes and research findings effectively to a professional audience.

Communication

Students will have access to the full suite of software and facilities available at their campus.

Creswell, J.W., Creswell, J.D., 2023. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, Sixth edition, international student edition. ed. Sage, Los Angeles London New Delhi Singapore Washington DC Melbourne.

Davidson, D., 2011. Well played 3.0: video games, value and meaning. ETC Press, Pittsburgh, PA.

Dillon, R. (Ed.), 2021. The digital gaming handbook, First edition. ed. CRC Press$, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton$oLondon New York.

Drachen, A., Nacke, L.E., Mirza-Babaei, P. (Eds.), 2018. Games user research, First edition. ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Fernández-Vara, C., 2015. Introduction to game analysis, 1. publ. ed. Routledge, New York, NY.

Funk, T., 2022. Video Game Art Reader: Volume 4. Amherst College Press, Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar.

Gazaway, D., 2022. Introduction to game systems design. Addison-Wesley, Boston, MA.

Game development is an inherently collaborative discipline. Modern studios rely on teams of designers, programmers, technical artists and production specialists working together to create complex interactive systems. This module gives you the opportunity to experience this collaborative environment by working as part of a team to produce a technical artefact.

You will define a shared technical challenge and work with your group to create a playable game, interactive experience or applied games technology prototype. As a team, you will investigate relevant technologies, plan your development workflow, build and refine your artefact and document your progress through shared and individual evidence.

Alongside team responsibilities, each student will take ownership of a defined area of contribution and produce a development document that records their personal workflow and technical decision making. The module concludes with a viva in which you will present the collaborative artefact and demonstrate both team understanding and individual accountability.

This module is designed for students who want to strengthen their technical skills while developing the collaborative and communicative abilities that are essential for professional game development and wider creative technology industries.