Games Design

About the course

The University of Bolton was one of the first in the country to offer games-based courses and our experience covers games programming, games design and games art. We have over 9 years experience in the delivery of dedicated games courses and over 13 years in the leisure computing industry.

We have a large number of staff who are passionate about games and dedicated to teaching the subject. Our lecturers include industrial experts from games companies such as Juice, the developers of Juiced, and Team 17 who developed Worms 3D, in addition to experienced academic staff.

Our games design course complements our other games programmes and you will benefit from working alongside our more technical and artistic students.

What you will learn

When we were developing the games design course, we spent a long time discussing the content with our extensive industry contacts. The key things our contacts asked us to concentrate on were the creation of a portfolio and the ability to clearly communicate.

This course will develop your ability to clearly articulate an idea from concept through production and on to the final product. We offer practical experience with the tools game designers use in the industry as well as exposing you to games design practices. We will support you as you work individually to create your portfolio and the project elements of the course will help you develop those all important team-working and communication skills. We strongly encourage our students to practice their skills outside of the course in order to enhance their personal portfolios and impress potential employers.

What you will study

You will study a broad range of games-related theory and practice. Key topics include content production, games and level design as well as platforms and technologies. You will develop skills in games analysis, usability and playability testing and understand the concepts underpinning games production and the business of computer games (for instance sales and marketing). You will also study the culture and history of games allowing you to understand the emergence of new gaming technologies and look forward to the future of games.

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 design.

• 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 develop your ideas and your ability to implement them. This will support you in your development of a high quality portfolio of work.

• The games team have an extensive network of contacts in the games industry. We arrange opportunities for our students to visit development companies, as well as invite industrial experts to give guest lectures on aspects of games development and job opportunities within the industry.

• You will work in well-equipped labs, including modern and vintage consoles.

Careers and professional development

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 design. The effort you put into generating this portfolio demonstrates your commitment to the course and your future career.

Our experience shows that students creating high quality portfolios are more likely to gain a high degree award and secure a job in this very competitive industry. Our many graduates who have secured positions as designers have reported that our emphasis on portfolio development definitely helped them secure their first positions.

Our graduates can initially expect to secure jobs as junior designers, level designers or in quality assurance. They are also well placed to take advantage of the increasing number of opportunities in the new media and creative industries.

Mode of attendance: Full-time