Games Development - FdSc part-time [SSR Manchester]

Bachelor's degree

In Bolton

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Bolton

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Why choose this course? Industry standard software and high specification equipment in dedicated games labs Course developed utilising the team's strong links with industry Predominantly practical, lab-based based delivery of modules Guest lectures from professionals within the industry Frequent activities with games companies on new software provides excellent networking opportunities A highly focused course for an exciting, dynamic and ever growing industry Course overview The programme covers games analysis and games design and programming, content production including sound and digital sculpting, games scripting and data structures for games production. It provides a broad study of games development, with an introduction to programming, design and creativity aspects. This course will enable you to work independently, develop your creativity, understand commercial markets, develop your teamwork and communication skills, enable you to develop concepts and respond to briefs, and also develop your project management and problem solving abilities. This highly practical course will give you the opportunity to develop a high quality body of work that will serve as evidence of your skills and creativity in games development. Special features You will be taught by enthusiastic staff who actually play games! In addition, our teaching staff include industry experts who know exactly what is required for a career in games development. You will benefit greatly from our intensely practical approach to games design. Each week you will develop your abilities in a whole range of techniques. The critique sessions will help you to...

Facilities

Location

Start date

Bolton (Greater Manchester)
See map
Deane Road, BL3 5AB

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

Questions & Answers

Add your question

Our advisors and other users will be able to reply to you

Who would you like to address this question to?

Fill in your details to get a reply

We will only publish your name and question

Reviews

Subjects

  • IT
  • Design
  • Programming
  • IT Development
  • Industry
  • Skills and Training
  • Production
  • Sound
  • 3D
  • 3d training
  • Graphics
  • Project
  • Staff
  • Art
  • Part Time

Course programme

Programme Specification http://programmes.bolton.ac.uk/GAM006-P-SSR-AX

What you will learn

The programme covers games analysis and games design and programming, content production including sound and digital sculpting, games scripting and data structures for games production. It provides a broad study of games development, with an introduction to programming, design and creativity aspects.

What you will study Level 1 (HE4) Level 1 (HE4)

You will study the following six core modules during the first year of the programme.

Advanced Level Design

Working in teams with mixed specialties, you will research a modular environment in your locality (one with lots of repeating features), collecting photograph and video reference footage. You will then implement the location in a game engine, building as realistic an environment as you can.

In the second half, you change the environment based upon one of five prescribed imagined scenarios, and add gameplay using Blueprint Visual Scripting. You will be given a firm grounding in how art, design and programming can all suggest the change in the environment they are trying to describe.

Intermediate Games Scripting

A design and programming module (with a bit of art). The first task is a short sprint individual assignment where you will make a 3D first person shooter in 29 days (with simple graphics). This is designed to convince you how powerful you are in a short time in using your tools.

You will then get into groups of two or three and make a 2D side-scrolling game for the remaining 11 weeks (where graphics do count towards your final module mark). This is where even students who have a fear of programming often realise that they can do it too.

Portfolio Project

You will form teams of mixed specialties and produce a game project of your own design. It is a chance for you to specialize in whichever area of games development is intriguing you most and to engage in a professional level of development planning.

This module has an additional focus on enterprise and employability skills through the development of a showcase piece of work which will be shown at your end of year show.

Data Structures for Games

Addresses the design patterns within software, and builds from the HE4 level module ‘Object Orientated Games Programming’ to teach you how to break down a design into well-structured and achievable programming tasks. This will give you your 16th-30th week programming in C++ during your course and offers a solid grounding in this vital language of the games industry.

Digital Sculpting for Games

Building on Introduction to Digital Sculpting, students are taken through more advanced tasks in sculpting. Students will expand on their knowledge of anatomy through life drawing classes and will then apply this to a sculpted character in your assignments.

Scholarship Key Academic Skills

Scholarship is a compulsory module that is studied in the first year of the course. It is a multi-faceted introduction to being a student on your course, the field of game studies, and the career path of those hoping to work in the digital games industry.

Introduction to Level Design

In this module you are tasked with designing, prototyping, and implementing a level in Unreal Engine 4, based upon specific constraints set by the Lecturer. You will learn about and implement industry standard techniques like white-boxing, modularity and layout and affordances.

Object Orientated Games Programming

An introduction to C++ which assumes no prior knowledge of programming. You will be given a graphics library of simple 2D sprites (or can make/find your own) and implement a simple 2D sprite based game in Visual Studio.

Introduction to 3D CG

You are introduced for the first time to making computer graphics in Maya, textures in PhotoShop, and how these export and render into a game engine (currently Unreal Engine 4).

Sound for Games

You are tasked with designing and implementing a soundscape within a game environment. Currently mac based, it is an introduction to the skills and tools used in to implement sound across various visual media, with a particular emphasis on games.

Introduction to Digital Sculpting

An introduction to zBrush and the realm of digital sculpting. The focus here is on making and painting character art, understanding the implementation of high-poly sculpted characters in both games and film.

Level 2 (HE5)

You will study the following six core modules in the second year of the programme.

Environmental Modelling for Games

The theory and practice of creating semiotically-charged environments in 3D, which engineer emotions and explain use. This module builds on the practice of Introduction to the HE4 module ‘3D CG’ and the HE4 module theory of ‘Introduction to Level Design’ to create what is often an important portfolio piece.

Additional information

The University of Bolton’s experience in Games Development undergraduate programmes shows that you will be creating a high quality portfolio and are more likely to gain a merit/distinction profile in your Foundation Degree and secure a job in this very competitive industry. Graduates who have secured positions as designers have reported that the University’s emphasis on portfolio development definitely helped them secure their first positions. Graduates of the Games Development programme can initially expect to secure jobs as junior designers,...

Games Development - FdSc part-time [SSR Manchester]

Price on request