Run by School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Llyr Ap Cenydd

On this module, you will spend your time watching video games, talking about video games, and making video games. You will make use of a range of professional game creation tools to create a range of short projects to meet a series of game design challenges. These challenges will provide the opportunity to work with popular game mechanics and narrative designs, reflecting common game industry practices. All challenges will allow scope for individual creative expression.

Each week new techniques and principles are introduced during weekly seminar sessions, illustrated both by instructional explanations of the theory and through critical review of real-world examples. A regular series of animation challenges are provided which allow students to experiment with these techniques and principles and to develop their knowledge of the wide range of potential narrative and gameplay strategies. Students present work from the game challenges in an online portfolio that includes the game and a short reflective piece. Feedback from these occurs regularly throughout the semester, and the student chooses one piece to develop further.

threshold

Equivalent to 40%. Uses key areas of theory or knowledge to meet the Learning Outcomes of the module. Is able to formulate an appropriate solution to accurately solve tasks and questions. Can identify individual aspects, but lacks an awareness of links between them and the wider contexts. Outputs can be understood, but lack structure and/or coherence.

excellent

Equivalent to the range 70%+. Assemble critically evaluated, relevent areas of knowledge and theory to constuct professional-level solutions to tasks and questions presented. Is able to cross-link themes and aspects to draw considered conclusions. Presents outputs in a cohesive, accurate, and efficient manner.

good

Equivalent to the range 60%-69%. Is able to analyse a task or problem to decide which aspects of theory and knowledge to apply. Solutions are of a workable quality, demonstrating understanding of underlying principles. Major themes can be linked appropriately but may not be able to extend this to individual aspects. Outputs are readily understood, with an appropriate structure but may lack sophistication.

1. Understand the ludological and narrative nature of video game.

2. Make creative use of game design principles.

3. Ability to produce video game prototypes using a range of game techniques.

4. Design games using a range of software tools.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of game design genres and narratives.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Game Prototype 1		20
	Game Prototype 2		20
	Game Prototype 3		20
	Outline a proposal for an indie video game		40

		Hours
Practical classes and workshops	Game development workshops	22
Lecture	Lecture / discussion introducing practical application of game design and project management principles	11
Private study	Work independently to design and produced games for assessment.	167

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

• Knowledge and understanding of facts, concepts, principles & theories
• Use of such knowledge in modelling and design
• Problem solving strategies
• Analyse if/how a system meets current and future requirements
• Deploy theory in design, implementation and evaluation of systems
• Recognise legal, social, ethical & professional issues
• Knowledge and understanding of commercial and economic issues
• Specify, design or construct computer-based systems
• Evaluate systems in terms of quality and trade-offs
• Deploy tools effectively
• Work as a member of a development team
• Development of general transferable skills
• Defining problems, managing design process and evaluating outcomes
• Specify, deploy, verify and maintain computer-based systems

Resource implications for students

This module requires access to the GameMaker game engine which is currently installed in John Phillips Hall.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/ice-1801.html

Compulsory in courses:

• I103: BSc Computer Science with Game Design year 1 (BSC/CSGD)