1. Integrate current and emerging business challenges in the gaming industry, and develop solutions that address current issues, anticipate future trends, and address ethical implications. Application & problem-solving

2. Demonstrate advanced theoretical insights and cutting-edge research from previous studies and industry to design and develop a high-quality artefact that responds to and shapes emerging business needs. Knowledge & understanding

3. Communicate the conceptual framework, development process, and impact of your artefact through professional documentation and presentations, engaging diverse stakeholders. Communication

Assessment Component 1 - Project Proposal Including Ethics Form [Learning Outcome 1] Your proposal should present a clear, critical analysis of current and emerging challenges in the gaming industry and identify the specific business or development need your project will address. You should justify your proposed strategic solution and explain how it addresses both immediate challenges and anticipated future developments. Ethical considerations relevant to your project must also be identified and discussed.

You should demonstrate how advanced theoretical insights and recent research will inform your artefact. Your proposal must outline the methodology you intend to use, explaining how academic knowledge will be translated into a practical development strategy. You should articulate the conceptual framework, the planned development process, and the project's intended impact in a way that is meaningful to both academic and industry stakeholders. This proposal provides the foundation for the creation of your final artefact.

Assessment Component 2 – Artefact [Learning Outcomes 2,3]
With your artefact, you will demonstrate an innovative solution from your critical analysis of the gaming industry’s challenges, demonstrating how it addresses immediate needs while anticipating future trends. This practical embodiment of your applied knowledge should reflect the advanced research and theoretical insights presented in your proposal. You must showcase your technical proficiency by transforming these concepts into a high-quality solution that meets business needs. In your showcase, you will effectively communicate your solution’s development process, underlying framework, and strategic impact, ensuring your work resonates with industry practitioners and academic audiences.

MA Award Alignment For MA students, assessment prioritises the development of creative or design-led artefacts that respond to industry challenges, demonstrating originality, professional communication and reflective creative practice.

MSc Award Alignment For MSc students, assessment prioritises the development of technically robust artefacts that respond to industry challenges, demonstrating computational rigour, system design, and professional technical communication.

Building on insights gained from Industry Trends and Innovations, you will undertake another self-managed project focused on future-facing issues. This project must address a current or anticipated business need, ensuring you respond to existing challenges while also shaping the direction of your industry. Whether you are developing a new tool, implementing a strategic initiative, or testing a novel concept, this project will showcase your learning and demonstrate your ability to translate research and industry insights into meaningful, impactful action.

You Will Learn:
How to address both current and future industry challenges by providing innovative solutions that contribute to the evolution of your field.
To analyse and reflect on key decisions, challenges, and innovations throughout your development process.
To effectively articulate your thought processes and design rationale, thereby enhancing your ability to communicate complex ideas professionally.

The Games Development Project module allows you to take your research from a previous module and create a high-quality artefact for your portfolio. This module enables you to align your project with a future-focused approach. Your project must address a current or anticipated business need, ensuring that you not only react to existing challenges but also help shape the direction of your industry and your career goals.

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 60 minutes per week.

Tan, T.W. (2024) Game Development with Unreal Engine 5 Volume 1: Design Phase. Berkeley, CA: Apress.
Sharp, J. (2015) Works of Game: On the Aesthetics of Games and Art. 1st edn. Cambridge: The MIT Press.
‘Making Video Games: The Art of Creating Digital Worlds’ (2022) , ProtoView. Beaverton: Ringgold, Inc.
Goldman, K. (2024). Essential Human Anatomy for Artists: A Complete Visual Guide to Drawing the Structures of the Living Form. 1st edn. Minneapolis: Quarto Publishing Group USA.

De Nucci, E., & Kramarzewski, A. (2023). Practical game design. Birmingham, England: Packt Publishing.

Course Specific
Reference to the Module welcome page for study guidance.
Access to University of Staffordshire library
Access to internet sources through University of Staffordshire 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
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, Marvellous Designer)
Photogrammetry Software, e.g. Meshroom
Suitable IDE (Visual Studio, Rider, etc).
Microsoft Office
Digital Academy Forum
Digital Academy Upload System