Course Overview
This is an industry oriented, practice based program focusing on the Art, Science and Technology involved in the development of Video Games. The program provides a broad foundation of theoretical, practical and technical knowledge, upon which the student develops their own specialist focus as they progress through the course. This course offers a chance to learn a range of game programming opportunities that exist with the game industry such as in Artificial Intelligence programmer, Audio and Video programmer, Plugin Development, Game Play programmer, Level Designer, Tools Developer, Particle / Special Effects Programmer and most importantly Graphics programmer. Opportunities also exist to these students in Broadcast graphics, Simulator programming and in Virtual reality programming.
Students begin with the exploration of design elements, principles, colour, scale, typography, storytelling formats and through a series of historical and critical studies form an informed perspective of the evolution of the Computer Gaming industry, its growth, its current form and the process of producing computer games. Critical knowledge of the Principles of Gaming, Level Designing, GDD, Game testing and Prototyping are also developed. Simultaneously the student develops a range of visual and tactile exploration skills by working on a range of creative process that include traditional art practices for Life drawing, Photography, Tactile Model-making and performance based art such as storytelling, acting and motion studies. Visual research and writing form an integral part of the program, students are introduced to these early on in the program and are encouraged to apply them throughout the program. Classes in Math and Physics for Gaming, Data Structure, AI for Games, Networking fundamentals set the critical knowledge required for game development.
Industry specific technical skills form an essential part of the program. Game Programming skills begin with programming for 2D games with C++, J2ME, and Flash Scripting. They are then trained to work with graphic libraries of DirectX using which they are needed to produce 2D and 3D games and working with Game Engines. They explore the difference between PC and a Console by working on porting content for the Xbox. The program lays the groundwork for students to work in a professional environment. The ability to mange time, prepare schedules, effectively manage resources and delivering on time are integral to all assignments. Throughout their studies the college lays emphasis on the development of their interpersonal and communication skills and students are expected to work on projects collaboratively as well as individually.
Visiting professionals bring current industry experience to the course and the student supplement this with visit to studios to get a first hand look at how organisations work. Professional practise at the end of the course ensures students gain valuable first hand knowledge of the industry and are able to contextualise their knowledge.
Duration
B.A. Digital Media - 3 Years
Career Opportunities
* AI Programmer
* Audio / Video Programmer
* Plugin Developer
* Game play Programmer
* Level Designer
* Tool Developer
* Particle / Special Effects
* Programmer
Course Content
BA (Hons) Digital Media Game Development Course Content
Entry Requirements: 10 + 2 or equivalent
* Year I
* Year II
* Year III
Module Code Module Title Credits Level
AND101 Foundation Studies 20 4 (1HE)
GAM101 Gaming Fundamental 20 4 (1HE)
AND103 Design Fundamentals 20 4 (1HE)
FMS101 Critical & Media Studies 20 4 (1HE)
AND105 Communication Studies 20 4 (1HE)
DMT101 Digital Media Techniques I 20 4 (1HE)
Module Code Module Title Credits Level
GAM201 Science for Gaming 20 5 (2HE)
GAM202 2D Game Programming 20 5 (2HE)
GAM203 Mobile Gaming 20 5 (2HE)
GAM204 Game Engine 20 5 (2HE)
GAM205 3D Game Programming 20 5 (2HE)
SPE201 Collaborative Project 20 5 (2HE)
Module Code Module Title Credits Level
SPE301 Project 40 6 (3HE)
SPE302 Dissertation 20 6 (3HE)
SPE303 Portfolio Presentation 20 6 (3HE)
SPE304 Professional Practice 40 6 (3HE)
Foundation Studies
This module provides the foundation level Art and Design skills. Students are taught a range of creative process that will introduce them to visual enquiry and self expression. Students are encouraged to use these processes and strategies to generate ideas, design concepts and generate compositions for design briefs given to them.
You will learn:
* Ideation through Mind map, Mood board, Semiotics, Metaphor, Themes and Styles
* Developing Visual observation through Drawing
* Exploration of Volume, perspective, structure and form
* Introduction to colour, colouring and shading methods
* Introduction to Set Designing
* Introduction to Photography and Lighting
* Researching, Referencing and Writing
* Introduction to Reflective practice and Assessment process
Gaming Fundamentals
This module is designed to provide the underpinning knowledge of science to develop games and related applications and technologies. It also includes the study of fundamental gaming techniques that supports game development.
You will learn:
* Pixel art for games
* UI design for Games
* Prototyping for Games
* Principles of Game making
* Game development structure
* Creative methodologies for game conceptualisation
* Devices for IO
* Computer Architecture
* Computer Organization
* Networking
* Data Structures
* OOAD & UML
* Project Management
Design Fundamentals
This module is designed to provide knowledge of principles and elements of design, color theory and Typography and the appropriate usage of the same. It includes an overview of design ethics and the development of Digital Media industry. The module further provides the underpinning knowledge of graphic design, the principles of various elements of design and related applications and technologies.
You will learn:
* Elements and Principles of Design
* Simplification of Graphic Rendition
* Symbol and Icon Design & Construction
* Basic Typography.
* Colour theory and physiology.
* Interpreting & responding to a brief Research and apply the history and theory of design to design practice.
* User interface design.
* Apply the design process to 2-dimensional & 3-dimensional work in response to a brief.
* Project planning and Implementation
Critical & Media Studies
This module is part of the transdisciplinary foundation level module complementing the Communication, Visualization and Design Modules. This module delves on the Art & Design timeline and looks at Key movements and styles that have influenced Contemporary design and narrative styles. Emphasis is placed on the development of a critical understanding and awareness on the inter-relationship and overarching concepts, debates and creative practices between different domains of media. Students are introduced to conceptual ideas and theories as a foundation for further discussion and research on how these encroach on their subject specialism.
You will learn:
* Art & style app
* Development of Art & Design
* Style & Medium of Art
* Renaissance to Impressionism: Changing perspectives in painting
* Fauvism to Cubism: Demise of the realistic perspective
* Art and social change: Futurism, Constructivism
* Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism: Beyond representation
* History of Cinema/animation/game
* Different film movement
* Relation between social, political and economics and films
* Genre & transition
* Film/animation/game App.
* Looking at film/game craft
* Linear & non linear narrative structure
* Story app.
* Style substance
* use of color,
* Use of sound
* Introduction to “media” as a product of culture
* Analyze impact of media on our perceptions
* Evolution of Cinema & Cinematic Visual Effects
* Linear and non-linear narratives
* Appreciation of moving images and sound
* Origin and evolution of Animation
* animation app-flip/stop motion/stereoscopy/cutout
* Development of Interactive Art
* Game development History & Evolution
* Game appreciation
Communication Studies
This module is to enable students to develop their research techniques and introduce them to academic referencing system. It introduces the student to a range of research methods and practices, strategies and approaches used by Art & Design practitioners leading to the application of research competences in subject study. This module also enables students to develop their abilities to express themselves via spoken & written communication and through their chosen specialisation communication..
You will learn:
* Game Design Dommunt
* How to find stories
* Nose for NEWS
* Basic of Writing new stories and features
* 5W's 1H
* Art of interviewing
* Investigative story telling
* story telling
* Game study
* Research Data Analysis
* Story telling for Game
* Game Script
* Research methods
* Reasoning
* Critical and reflective debate
Digital media techniques I
This module is linked to Design Fundamentals module and is designed to introduce students to the techniques of using computer software to produce digital content in response to design brief. This module also introduces students to 3D Computer Imagery and Animation process.
You will learn:
* Graphic designing.
* Digital Manipulation techniques such as enlargement, reduction, transformation and reshaping.
* Using filters for effects.
* Scanning, storing and transporting Digital images.
* Colour systems (RGB, grey scale, CMYK).
* Understanding Colour & Colour Correction.
* Palette, mode and image attributes, file formats.
* Colour depth, image size and file size.
* Creating Backgrounds/ Matte painting / Skybox painting.
* Texture creation using live reference.
* Develop 2d Game prototypes with developed 2D artifacts.
* Design of 3D artifact based on reference images in response to project briefs.
* Inorganic & Props modeling using techniques of NURBS & Polygon.
* Applying Materials and creating Textures.
* Basic Animation using Key frame animation technique and editing in graph editor.
* Basic lighting techniques.
* Essential Camera movements.
* Develop 3d Game level with developed 3D artifacts.
Science For Gaming
This module is designed to provide further underpinning knowledge of science to develop games and related applications. It includes the Implementation of Gaming Fundamentals through Programming.
You will learn:
* Introduction to Game Mechanics
* Basic principles from Physics and Maths
* Collision detection
* Particle system
* Projectile Motion
* Implementing Game artificial Intelligence
* Types of Artificial Intelligence
* Strategical Artificial Intelligence
* Behavioral Artificial Intelligence
* Roaming Artificial Intelligence
* Implementing Game Networking
* Implementing Date Structure
* Introduction To Data Structure
* Arrays, Stack, Queue and Linked List
* Sorting and Search
* Tree, Graph
2D Game Programming
This module is designed to develop the students programming ability with relevance to Graphics programming. Students study the Rendering Pipeline, Graphics Programming techniques and the applications of the 2D graphics API. This module encourages the student to identity and implement a 2D game using the graphics API.
You will learn:
* Introduction to C++
* Advanced Programming
* Computer Graphics
* Windows Programming
* Intro to DirectX
* Basic D3D concepts
* Camera Management, Transformation
* Lighting, texturing
* Blending, Stenciling
* Progressive Meshes, fonts, Threads
Mobile Gaming
This module builds on the programming ability of the student and further introduces students to the architecture and design principles used in the construction of games for mobiles. Students will also gain experience in tools, techniques and hardware necessary to develop games for mobiles. This module enables students to make a comparative analysis of performance and delivery systems associated with mobile gaming. The module further encourages students to independently study and critically analysis the process of developing games for the mobile.
You will learn:
* Java Programming
* Introduction to Mobile Gaming & J2ME
* Configuring J2ME & J2ME Profiles
* MIDlets
* J2ME User Interface & Event Handling
* MMAPI Editor & MIDP 2.0 Media API
* Record Store Management System & Limitations and Optimizations & Emulators
* Porting & Deploying
* Game Development for Android
Game Engine
Enables students to develop an understanding of the architecture of different Game Engine and develop a critical understanding of their design. Students learn to program with high level scripts for greater flexibility in the development of games. The module further develops the understanding of the methods used to build levels using a Level Editor, Programming Effects, Scripting and incorporating externally designed Game Assets. It also provides the opportunity for the students to independently develop a computer game through a game engine.
You will learn:
* Introduction to game engine
* Game engine architecture
* Introduction to Unreal
* Material editor
* Unity
* Kismet in Unreal
* Editors
* Scripting
* Level Design
3D Game Programming
PC Gaming represents a significant part of the game development industry and their importance is only expected to grow. This module builds on the various skills learned throughout the course and further encourages the students to explore cutting-edge techniques used by programmers in the game industry in the construction of games for Personal Computers. Students study the Rendering Pipeline, Graphics Programming techniques and the applications of the graphics API (DirectX).
You will learn:
* Direct X-I Refreshment
* Flexible Camera
* Meshes
* Progressive Meshes
* Terrain
* Terrain Geometry
* Terrain vertices & Indices
* Terrain Texture
* Terrain Lighting
* Walking on the Terrain
* Particles
* Picking
* Vertex Shader
* Pixel Shader
* Effects Framework
* Integration
* Intro to Network, winsock
* TCP / IP, direct play
* Direct play, CRC, DEad Rocking, Multi player game
Collaborative Project
This module provides an opportunity for the student to engage in a group in an extended self managed project and to demonstrate the ability to integrate the various elements of the course. The Collaborative Project is intended to further develop the student's ability to identify a topic relating to a problem or an issue in an area of interest developed through studies in the specialist pathway.
You will learn:
* Apply a range of research activities leading to the development of solutions to a design problem
* Design development and use of appropriate visual language skills
* Demonstrate a high level of competence in the use of an extended range of media techniques and practices.
* Effectively manage time in achieving objective during production
* Develop collaborative projects, team skills, and multi-disciplinary communication and establish common empathies amongst peers
Major Project
This module extends knowledge of media, methods and process development within the individual to form an informed and critical approach to specialist practice. Students must excel in the production of their individual programmes of work using a range of media and techniques and by researching conceptual/technical aspects and contexts at the leading edge of the subject study. This module forms a major element in the final stage assessment for the honours award and is weighted accordingly.
You will learn:
* Initiate assignments, manage own learning and investigate appropriate research methodology and reflective practice
* Independently analyse and evaluate own work and the work of others and show extensive knowledge within a specific area of subject study
* Investigate concepts and practices involved in sustaining their individual areas of specialist practice
* Prepare for career as practising artists and designers, as is appropriate to their needs
Dissertation
This module is intended to provide students the opportunity to undertake a substantial research project in an area of their interest and prepare them to work independent of tutors.
You will learn:
* Develop own individual approach to research, planning and writing a Dissertation
* Develop the capacity for study independent of tutors
* Independently analyse material from a range of sources, primary as well as secondary, relevant to the topic undertaken
* Organise the material in a well structured, logical way in order to present a well informed argument
* Methods and conventions of scholarly research, with accurate paratextual information, correct presentation and documentation
Portfolio Presentation
This module prepares the student's ability to communicate their work and progress in a professional manner. Students prepare a portfolio of their work, by authoring an individual, reproducible DVD. This is intended to be reviewed by their peers and potentially sent to production houses as an elegant and sophisticated digital portfolio for their comments.
You will learn:
* Demonstrate ability to understand and articulate, through drawings, concepts sketches, design documents and present an understanding of the design elements of the medium of their specialisation
* Demonstrate the critical aspects of development of a media professional in the medium of your specialisation.
* Respond effectively to questions following oral presentation
Professional Practise
This module provides an opportunity for students to work for an external client in the creation of Digital Media content to address a real world problem. Students will intern collaboratively in a Digital Media development team and apply or further develop their problem solving, design, development and evaluation skills.
You will learn:
* Professional approach in developing good working relationship with Clients
* Develop a clear understanding of the relationship between design, production and commerce in various aspects of a business organisation
* Methods and techniques to review, consolidate and extend the application of knowledge and understanding in solving real world problems
* Deal with external parties appropriately and professionally (e.g. client, users) and to use the input gathered from them in a useful way
* Make trade-offs during design and development process (including understanding of various parameters such as technical quality, aesthetic quality, conceptual quality, quality of media asserts, quality in terms of content and in interface design etc)
* Develop a multitude of creative concepts as possible solutions to a real world problem
* Report and present work that has been done, appropriately and professionally
* Work collaboratively in a small development team (i.e planning and organising project work, managing intra-group conflicts and developing negotiation skills)
* Further develop skills in terms of problem-solving, design, development, testing and evaluating
