Introduction

B.A. (Hons) Games Design was set up in response to growing demand from the games industry for higher education to provide degree courses to equip graduates with the right skills to go into the games industry.

At the outset of the development of the course at UCLAN the staff team visited a large number of game design consultancies and got first hand advice in what the course should cover. This information was measured against the Independent Game Makers Association Recommended curriculum, which has been drawn up by academic and commercial game designers from around the world. UCLAN staff, with a strong track record for course development, then designed and created the current B.A. (Hons) games Design curriculum.

The current course provides a substantial and thought-provoking experience, which equips graduates with the necessary skills to be a successful games designer.

Course Content

The course follows a continual assessment format with module grades based upon the submission of a folio of work at the end of a module. Each year contains 6 modules. The majority of the course work being design projects, with some written assignments in support of this activity. There are no examinations.

Year 1

The first year seeks to challenge your attitude to games, their design and play through a series of games design exercises. From the very outset you will be working on your own ideas for games under the guidance of staff in order to develop your ability in to design games. During the first year of study we also address any visualisation skills you may need to develop, improve or consolidate. The course team ensures that you are not left without any required skills whilst not repeating experiences you have previously had.

Games Design [Double Module]
This is a core double module which is project based. You will typically undertake five projects, which will explore many aspects of game design in order to develop your design awareness. For example these briefs cover areas such as game mechanics, game narrative, marketing, culture and games engines. This module will provide a platform for your developing ideas and an opportunity to consolidate all your design skills.

Creative Thinking [Double Module]
Activities in this module are twofold. Firstly through a series of lectures, seminars and activities your will be introduced to a broad range of idea generation exercises which will introduce you to formal and informal methods of idea generation. These methods are invaluable to the games designer in their task of generating new and innovative game concepts.

The second part of this module develops your visualisation skills. This starts with traditional manual methods of idea illustration from pen and pencil skills to marker rendering. These activities then lead on to digital drawing methods utilised in modern practice. Finally you will be introduced to three dimensional digital modelling and the methods used in game asset generation.

Contextual Studies – Historical [Single Module]
This is a module that is studied by all students within the department and is part of a series of modules, which provide you with a working context for your academic and professional practice. A portion of this module is generic and covers design history in general. The other part of this module is specific to games design history and develops your historical knowledge of games and gaming.

Elective Module [Single Module]
Common to every course in the university a module within your course of study is ‘free’ for you to choose. You will be given a catalogue of modules to select from. These courses include such subjects as modern languages, popular science and general computing skills. As well as this the Games design staff run a games specific elective which deals with aspects of narrative and story telling which is particularly relevant to modern game development.

Year 2

Year two of the course builds upon the skills and experience you have developed in year one. The main activity still centres on design projects but now there is more latitude (and requirement) to input your own ideas into the projects. Projects are modelled on an industry standard model the Games Pipeline which seeks to develop your professional practice. In year two a full third of the course deals with digital modelling and all the aspects related to asset generation within games.

Games Development [Double Module]
This is a core module which follows on from the first year Games Design module. In this module you begin to undertake larger and more involved game design projects. The nature of the briefing in this module allows you to include more of your own ideas about game content and style. Also in this module you are introduced to the Games Development Pipeline the process by which commercial game development is undertaken. Creating and presenting your work using the Games Development Pipeline furthers your knowledge and understanding of the commercial aspects of realising a game proposal.

Animation and Environment [Double Module]
In this module are fully introduced to digital modelling for games and all the aspects required for successful games modelling. Through a series of structured tutorials and exercises you will acquire the skills necessary to design, build, texture, light and animate environments, characters and all types of assets for games design.

Contextual Studies – Contemporary [Single Module]
This module deals with contemporary issues in design as well as professional and commercial practice. Again this module will deal with generic issues in design as well as with those specific to current games design practice.

Elective Module [Single Module]
This is the second level of your elective programme and again there is a variety of modules to choose from. As well as this the Games design staff run a games specific elective this time dealing specifically with character development and illustration.

Year 3

The final year of the course revolves around three large projects which are intended to demonstrate and consolidate all your games design skills. These are presented in a public show of work at the end of the year. This work will form your portfolio which is a necessary item for successful application to the games industry.

Games Realisation [Double Module]
This module is defined by yourself in collaboration with your tutors. It represents the totality of the activities of a games designer and is a platform to show your abilities and ideas about games. It will draw upon all aspects of the course you have studied and provide a strong platform to display you game design ability. At the end of this project you will present a full games proposal from start to finish.

Honours Project [Double Module]
This module is defined by yourself in collaboration with your tutors. This module gives you the opportunity to specialise in an area of games design which interests you most. Whether you wish to pursue digital modelling, concept art or pure games design this module is designed to support your aspirations and develop a unique body of work for your final portfolio.

Contextual Studies – Futures [Single Module]
This module concerns the study of the potential future developments within the discipline. Games Design is a fast moving industry and modern designers need to have the academic tools to intelligently predict future trends. In this module you will select a broad area of gaming and seek to define some aspects of its future direction through extensive research.

Contextual Studies – Games Futures Definition [Single Module]
This module draws upon the conclusions reached in the Contextual Studies – Futures module and allows you to explore potential concepts for your future scenario based upon your findings. The outcome of this activity is a proposal for a likely potential future game idea. This activity is particularly relevant in an industry which changes so rapidly as Games Development.

Graduates

Upon successful completion of the course graduates will have a portfolio of work which is highly suited for the myriad of roles a game designer may be required to undertake. Each graduates folio will display their unique creativity and the personal interests and skills. Broadly speaking each folio will contain evidence of

Visualisation
Traditional and digital drawing/painting necessary for the initial development of game ideas.

Digital modelling and animation
Familiarity and capability in this area is a key skill for games designers.

Game Design documentation
This represents your abilities to identify, innovate, develop and propose potential games concepts.

Jobs and Post Graduate Study

The current games design industry is like any other design industry, the more you are likely to succeed at a job interview. The industry has matured since the boom and bust days of the ‘90’s and now offers a broad range of roles around the country. As well as this there are many job opportunities in America, Canada, Europe and Asia for those who wish to travel.

The skills developed on the course will leave graduates suitable for other work in the broader field of modern media and it is not unknown for small graduate business start ups to enjoy a modicum of success.

Some graduates may choose to go onto further study and develop their specialist skills at postgraduate level, whilst some choose teacher training qualifications.

Equipment, Resources and Software

We have a dedicated PC lab running the latest versions of Autodesk Maya, Adobe Creative Suite and UDK with access to many other software packages available over the University network.

We also have students working with Unity for iPhone/iPad and Web development. We provide access to graphics tablets, consoles and games.

We have a ‘Lecture’ and ‘Drawing’ Studio for non digital work which we feel is just as important as the technical tools.

We have access to motion capture equipment, Green Screening, Rapid Prototyping machines and many other facilities located within the School of Art Design and performance.

We try to include as many Live Industry briefs as we can into the curriculum.