Computing for Games BSc(Hons)

Year one

Beginning with an introduction to programming, you’ll learn the basics of computing using Python. We’ll support complete beginners as we go through the standards for collaborative software development, helping you apply what you’ve learned to a small team-based exercise.
You’ll then embark on your first multi-disciplinary game development project alongside artists, animators, composers, designers, and writers. This project gives you a practical understanding of game engineering processes and game engine architecture - typically, using either C++ in Unreal 4, or C# in Unity.
Throughout the year, you'll work individual creative computing projects into your games. These projects typically involve procedural content generation and physical computing, reflecting our research strengths.

Modules

• Development Principles
• Creative Computing
• Principles of Computing
• Individual Creative Computing Project
• Multidisciplinary Development Practice

Year two

You’ll develop a game in collaboration with students from other disciplines, develop a portfolio of specialist game components for current and future projects, and explore specialist fields in modern gaming.
These fields give you a chance to learn to develop for equipment like Microsoft HoloLens or HTC Vive, and analyse rendering APIs like OpenGL and shader languages like GLSL. You’ll also be able to apply techniques like Monte Carlo Tree Search to design bots, and implement client-server multiplayer games using the cloud. On top of a greater emphasis on C++, we’ll also address a greater variety of programming languages like Java and JavaScript.

Modules

• Specialisms in Creative Computing
• Mathematics for 3D Worlds & Simulations
• World Creation Project: Pre-Production
• World Creation Project: Production

Options include:

• Interfaces & Interaction
• Graphics & Simulation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Distributed Systems

Year three

Working with team members from different disciplines, you’ll turn your skills and expertise into an original game as part of a year-long major development project. You’ll also research a specialism as part of your final year project - applying cutting-edge computing technology to your game’s development. At the end of the year, you'll pitch your game to industry professionals as part of our annual Show & Tell day.
You’ll also study advanced topics like low-level programming in assembly, techniques for optimising code for console architectures like Sony PlayStation 4, and learn statistical computing for game analysis in R. You’ll also set up a portfolio website using HTML and CSS.

Modules

• Major Game Development Project: Pre-Production
• Major Game Development Project: Production
• Research & Development: Practice
• Research & Development: Dissertation