This module will enable you to demonstrate to a high level, the in-depth practical skills and theoretical knowledge accumulated during your programme of study.


The major aim of the Negotiated Project is to allow you to extend and unify your understanding of a chosen subject as developed in underlying modules. The outcome of this study will be one created artefact illustrating your knowledge and practical skills

The production is supported by an academic supervisor, who will help you to develop your ideas


The project for the portfolio could be (but is not limited to) a series of character models, a large-scale environment, a dissertation and academic paper, a game, a series of game prototypes, a system or framework for a computer game.


You may wish to extend outside of you direct field of application to relevant cross over fields. This should be negotiated with your supervisor and demonstrated how this links to the Learning Outcomes as well as marking criteria.

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

Assessment Component 1 is required for both routes

Assessment Component 1:

Project Proposal & Mid-point Review worth 10%

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 worth 70%

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 worth 20% (equivalent to 4000 words)

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 worth 70%

You will complete a 12,500-15,000 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 worth 20%

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

Lectures and Portfolio Reviews

1 x 1hr lecture at the beginning of the module

7 x 1hr group progress and portfolio reviews

Supervisor Sessions:

Half hour meetings per week

This will take the form of face-to-face meetings at the University, and may also include e-mail correspondence, online discussion, or forum feedback

These sessions are registered

Supervisors will:

Cover work done so far by speaking with you about your progress

Ensure your required paperwork has been submitted and authorised for example the Ethics forms.

Provide feedback on your forum for you to take note of

Ensure your project is meeting its NLC direction and expected deadlines

Provide a formative review of your work at a given deadline

Students are expected to:

Provide weekly updates to your supervisor

Ensure all require paperwork such as the Ethics form has been filled in and submitted to your Supervisor by a specified date.

Attend each meeting unless authorised absence is granted

Document your work on the Digital Academy

Bring along or provide access to work for Supervisor feedback

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.

Problem Solving, Application

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

Knowledge and Understanding

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

Communication, Reflection

Reference to the Module welcome page for study guidance.¿

Access to Staffordshire University library

Access to internet sources through Staffordshire University library.

Provision as appropriate of case materials by tutor and / or external organisations.

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available to support this module.

Details will be supplied on the Module Welcome page.

¿Software:

Digital Academy Forum

Digital Academy Uploads

Adobe Photoshop

Pixologic ZBrush

Autodesk 3DS Max¿

Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Fusion 360

3D Coat

Substance Designer

Substance Painter

Unreal Engine 5

Internet access

Blackboard

Hardware general:

Access to Scanning Equipment available via Visualisation and Simulation Studio

HandySCAN Black Elite

MechScan Macro 3D Scanner

Faro FOCUS S70

Access to Photography Equipment available from CISO – Henrion Media Store

Online sources are more applicable; they will be suggested by supervisors during study.

Ahearn, L. (2008). 3D game environments: Create professional 3D game worlds. Focal Press.

Bailey, S. (2003). Academic Writing: A practical guide for students. Nelson Thornes.

Barzun, J., & Graff, H. F. (2003). The Modern Researcher (6th ed.). Wadsworth Publishing.

Berry, R. (2004). The research project: How to write it, edition 5 (5th ed.). Routledge.

Goldfinger, E. (1991). Human anatomy for artists: The elements of form. Oxford University Press.

Goldfinger, E. (2004). Animal anatomy for artists: The elements of form. Oxford University Press.

Gurney, J. (2010). Colour and light: A guide for the realist painter. Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Kelly, H. (2021). Environment art in the game industry: A guide to rich and realistic environments using substance designer. CRC Press.

Lanning, P. (2007). D’artiste Character Modeling 2: Digital Artists Masterclass.

Lauricella, M. (2019). Morpho: Simplified forms: Anatomy for artists. Rocky Nook.

Marshall, L. A., & Rowland, F. (2013). A guide to learning independently (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

Romero, M., & Sewell, B. (2022). Blueprints Visual Scripting for Unreal Engine 5: Unleash the true power of Blueprints to create impressive games and applications in UE5, 3rd Edition (3rd ed.). Packt Publishing.

Explore your own Project, within your chosen field and skills. Demonstrate the culmination of your development towards industry ready talent with support and guidance of a supervisor.