Games Design

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• document your ideas in a clear and concise way;
• begin to evaluate some of the concepts and methods within Game Design contemporary practice;
• confidently use a range of appropriate design and technical skills to realise your Game Design Document;
• refine key processes related to different stages of and produce a game design document.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• a range of practical methods and concepts specific to Game Design Documentation and support the contextualization of your ideas and influence the development of your work;
• how to apply knowledge gained from a range of sources toward the development of a personal Game Design Document.
• ways of resolving work which evidences sustained engagement and critical awareness of your ideas;

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• use industry game design documentation standards.
• test out your choices and skills through user feedback;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• refer to an appropriate critical context and deploy core techniques to further your work;
• develop and manage a project driven by your decisions.
• create compelling and informative online process documentation;
• articulate the decisions you make to create your work;

This module marks the next steps in acquiring and developing practical skills applicable to industry practices. You will create a detailed and clear game design document within industry standards. Researching suitable materials and, within an agreed working method, you will realise your ideas.

Within the module you will produce process documentation and reflective outputs online, for example within an illustrated blog.

During the module you will experience workshops which will include advanced character design, advanced narrative design alongside advanced 2d & 3d asset and code creation. These examples are illustrative and may vary each academic year.

The module will consist of a project that will span the semester to create a portfolio as an individual.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

• talks;
• project briefings;
• tutorials;
• group critiques;
• workshops inductions;
• supporting material distributed via virtual learning environments (VLE) such as Blackboard, Panopto and Bob National.

Learning activities include:

• review and revision of material provided in lectures and VLE’s;
• process documentation;
• workshops;
• using, comparing and evaluating specialist resources for Games Design & Art;
• team work;
• discussion;
• presentations;
• group critiques;
• various Tutorial Activities;
• peer group learning;
• Academic Skills Hub;
• self assessment.

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Lynda.com (via Blackboard).

Blackboard.

Academic Skills Hub.

Panopto Recordings (via Blackboard).

Gamasutra.

Glossary of Terms.

Guardian Games.

Textbooks

Rogers, S. (2014). Level UP: The Guide to Great Video Game Design. Wiley.

Schell, J. (2008). The Art of Games Design: A Book of Lenses. Elsevier.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External