Fundamentals of Game Programming is an essential component of the undergraduate degree programme in Game Design and Development, designed to provide students with a strong foundation in programming concepts and techniques required for game development.
This module aims to introduce students to the basics of programming, including programming paradigms, algorithms, data structures, control structures, and object-oriented programming concepts. Students will learn to use programming languages such as C++ and C# to create game logic, character behaviour, and world-building using popular game engines like Unity, Unreal, and Godot. By studying this module, students will gain valuable logical and problem-solving skills that can be transferred to many aspects of life and work.
Programming is a core skill required in many other industries, including the games industry. This makes this module essential for any creative industry or computing-related career. Students will also find that coding can be a very enjoyable and fulfilling skill.
This module provides foundational knowledge and the skills necessary to create appealing graphics for games and other immersive experiences. This is a core capability for employment in the game design and development industry, as it can significantly impact the player experience and the commercial success of a game. The module covers various topics, including modelling, texture mapping, lighting, shading, and animation. It allows students to develop practical skills in creating game graphics using industry-standard tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Autodesk Maya or similar tools. Additionally, the module may introduce students to real-time graphics libraries like OpenGL, Vulkan, and DirectX.
The knowledge and skills gained in this module are also essential for success in subsequent modules on the degree course. In particular, an ability to work with graphics will be important as students create games for their portfolios through the degree. Additionally, employers in the game design and development industry highly seek the knowledge and skills gained in this module, as they are essential for creating high-quality, visually appealing games. By encouraging students to experiment with unique art styles and visual storytelling techniques, this module will support students in developing their personal creative voice, which is a valuable asset in a competitive game design and development industry.
This module requires students to build a 2D game in teams for their portfolio. This provides a valuable opportunity for students to develop the practical skills needed for future employment in the gaming industry. The module provides hands-on experience with the full 2D game development pipeline process, from concept design to asset creation, coding, and testing. The games students design and make will be valuable for their portfolio, showcasing their skills and creativity to potential employers.
In addition, the course/module fosters collaboration and communication skills, which are essential in the game development industry. Through teamwork on this project, students can develop crucial collaboration and communication skills, which are valuable in their future careers. Through designing and developing a 2D game, students are challenged to develop unique and creative solutions to design problems and technical challenges. This will encourage them to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills, which are highly valued in the gaming industry.
This module teaches the art of creating believable video game characters, covering design, story development, dialogue, and roles. It emphasizes AI for non-player characters, aiming for realistic interaction with the game and player. Upon completing the module, students are equipped to develop well-rounded, memorable characters, a skillset that primes them for success in the immersive, entertaining gaming industry.
The "3D Game Creation" module helps students create 3D games for their portfolios. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn the skills they'll need to work in the gaming industry, such as how to develop a game idea, design characters and environments, write computer code, and test everything to make sure it works.
Creating a 3D game is a significant challenge, and it requires a lot of teamwork and communication to make it all come together. The module will help students build these essential skills, which will help them work effectively with others and communicate their ideas. Designing a game is also a chance to be creative and solve problems. Students will learn how to develop new and interesting ideas for their game and figure out how to make them work in practice. This is important for a career in the gaming industry, where creativity and problem-solving skills are highly valued.
By the end of the module, students will have created a functional 3D game they can be proud of and use to showcase their skills to potential employers. It's a fun and exciting way to learn about game design and development and gain valuable experience that will help them in their future careers.
In the final year of their course, students undertake a significant design and development project that comprises 2/3 of their academic year. They will operate in simulated game studio conditions and use professional processes and tools to work towards building commercial-ready games and deploying them to a distribution platform like itch.io, Steam, or Android.