Module Descriptors

This module provides the student with an opportunity to plan and design for a game as part of a studio group. This mimics part of the working of a small games development studio. The student will be involved in role selection and development, market and competitor analyses, game design, project planning, prototype product creation, testing, user evaluation and full implementation of the game. The module will provide students with a firm understanding, knowledge and experience of what it is like to work in a project team (akin to a games studio) taking them through the entire process of conceptualising a game idea through to final implementation.

The basic game idea will be student group developed with the project teams conceptualising and justifying the genre of game they will develop, documenting their approach towards the design of the game, creating a prototype in addition to fully implmenting their game with a view to showcasing it at an event such as Digital Futures.

The group will meet weekly with the lecturer to ensure progress is made, problems identified, solutions implemented. The class would occasionally meet together to discuss or learn about a specific subject of interest and relevance to their work. However, it is generally the team working together, developing the game from idea to prototype with the lecturer acting as the game producer (a recognised role in games development). Students will essentailly take responsibility for their team's progress and overall management and direction of their project.

• The scope and overall remit of the module is to provide students with a collaborative experience of working in a project environment akin to a games studio. From the initial conceptualisation of their game idea students will work in teams in all aspects of the development of their game throughout the full duration of their project life cycle.


• The module will inform students about basic concepts of software engineering which will be embedded in the coursework. For example, students will be informed about the relevancy of software development methodologies and software testing approaches within the context of implementing their games.


• Throughout the duration of the module students will enhance their critical thinking and analytical skill sets with a view to identifying which ones to improve upon whilst working in their project teams.


• The module supports students in their abilities to work autonomously and collaboratively in their project roles towards critically thinking about planning and developing their creative outputs.


• A specific purpose of this module is for students to develop their creative games with a view to developing them as a portfolio piece to show to prospective employers or at industry or university run events.


• This module embeds the key “I am UWS” graduate attributes and in particular: Universal(Critical Thinker, Analytical, Culturally aware, Collaborative), Work Ready(effective communicator, motivated) and Successful (Driven, Transformational).

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Demonstrate an understanding of the development process involved in creating a game in a team environment.

L2. Develop and implement a game as part of a team illustrating evidence of good project team work.

L3. Demonstrate and provide an understanding of how to formulate games design and technical documents.

L4. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts of software engineering in relation to the games development life cycle.

L5. Personally reflect upon the processes involved in game design.

Students will demonstrate a broad and integrated knowledge of the subject and discipline of video games creation and preparation for video games creation.
Students must also demonstrate a good understanding of the principles of project management, documenting the various stages of a project's progression, provide evidence of their practical skills as well as decision making.
Students must also demonstrate a basic understanding of some principles associated with software engineering such as software development methodologies and software testing approaches. These methodologies and approaches will be justified and evidenced with regards to the overall development of the game.

Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their practical development skills in the creation of their game. This will be achieved via evidence of good coding practice to evidence the development of the game.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the various elements required in the creation of a games design document documenting this throughout the duration of the project life-cycle.

Students will critically analyse their development ideas and software used to ensure the end-product (i.e. the game) will be developed in accordance with the games design document.
Project teams will reflect on the decisions made with regards to the creation of their game and collectively justify their choices that have impacted on the overall direction of their project.
Students will recognise and adapt to deal with issues that arise in the group and deal with these via a suitable project management approach.

Students will select from and use a wide range development tools to create their game justifying their reasons for doing so.
Students will use various communication tools, such as blogs or project websites, to share ideas across the group and communicate with the supervisor (i.e. lecturer) and to showcase their project work.

Students will exercise autonomy and initiative within a team to act upon advice and input from the lecturer.
Students will ensure the game being developed is not ethically, morally or legally dubious and seek advice from the lecturer prior to commencing their game concept.

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

1.03

1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
   This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.