Digital Games Theory and Design MA

The MA consists of compulsory modules, a typical selection can be found below. Modules can vary from year to year, but these offer a good idea of what we teach.

Each module will have a range of assessmentssome practical, others written.

Game Design 1 (term 1, 30 credits) - practical group design projects (small)written evaluative case study 2000 wordsassessed presentation

• Principles behind the rules and play of games.
• Detailed study of how games function to create experiences, including rule design, play, mechanics/structure, game balancing, social game interaction and the integration of textual strategies to create the gaming experience.
• A range of paper-based and/or digitally rendered designs trial ideas provide the focus for an evaluative case study, which is also presented orally.

Critical Approaches (term 1, 30 credits) - 2 x 3000 word essays

The course will:

• Define and contextualize key concepts that shape the interdisciplinary field of Game Studies.
• Provide detailed study of the different methodological approaches used in the study of games/videogames.
• Students will engage in developing a scholarly vocabulary used to critically evaluate videogames and their relation to and distinction from other media.
• Connections between the theoretical and practical understanding of games studies and design will be made throughout the course as applicable

Game Design 2 (term 2, 30 credits) - 1 x practical design project tailored to a specific platform (large)written evaluative case study 3000 wordsassessed presentation

• Building on the work in Game Design I, students develop individually a design for a game for a particular platform (phonePChandheld, console etc). The game can be delivered in digital format for those with technical skills or as storyboard, character profiles, visual 'mood board'/style palette, sound-effects/music profiling. The project will demonstrate practical application of ideas explored in Critical Approaches to show a deep understanding of concepts of pleasure, genre, core game-play values, structure and rules.

Socio-Cultural Contexts (term 2, 30 credits) (1 x 6000 word essays)

Overall, this class provides:

• Context and framework for discussing the relationship between games, play, society, and culture.
• Analysis of contemporary demographic data about who plays games, why they play games and how they play games.
• Studies of the ways in which games influence culture through fandom, media panics, and virtual life.
• Studies of the ways in which culture influences the creation and development of games through economics/business models and gaming regulatory bodies.

Dissertation in Digital Games Design: Theory and Design - either 12,000-18,000 words or 8,000 words with practical component - delivered in either digital format or as a design document (term 3, 60 credits)

Students are expected to use the MA forum for discussions and are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular support activities such as game jams, local game related and networking events in order to practice the creative and technical skills developed throughout the programme and foster conversation and connections that are an invaluable part of the post-graduate experience.

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