BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development (with a foundation year) Bachelor's degree at Staffordshire

A wide range of core programming concepts required to understand before you can create more complex games and applications. Topics such as: data types, conditionals, functions, and object-oriented programming culminating in the development of a text-based game.

Develops further students understanding of game mechanic creation using a game engine. Students will learn how to plan, communicate and implement core game concepts, such as characters, enemies and game loops in order to create fun, playable prototypes of their own design.

3D Models populate the games we love to play. Start your journey by learning key 3D Modelling creation skills and implement your assets into a fully working framework. You will build a series of assets and develop a reflective journal as you bring to life a games visuals.

Focusses on an understanding of academic principles and portfolio piece development. By being able to include the learning from other modules is crucial in academia, this module has a focus on that. Bringing together the knowledge and skill gained in other modules over the academic year, students should be able to pitch, plan, develop, test, and publish a solo project to a level 4 portfolio quality standards. The artefact can be a small game, asset pack, or engine tool. Includes development log

Considers an introduction to the fundamentals of scripting in C#. Scripting is an important tool in developing interactive and fun experiences for players. You will learn how to leverage the power of C# scripting to technically design and build interactive gameplay solutions.

Focusses on the production pipeline of the development process. Assessment processes are geared towards the initial documentation and understanding of the technical and design document of any game development process. Introduces the horizontal and vertical prototype processes and stages of the pipeline right through to publication.

You will explore how to make truly efficient systems within a commercial engine structure utilising both C++ and visual scripting. Completing this module will give you a keen understanding of how programmers can make systems that designers can easily work with without tangling your code.

Addresses fundamental Artificial Intelligence skills a student needs to build their own games and enter the games industry. Provides the knowledge and practical skills in four key areas: Research, Steering behaviours, Pathfinding (i.e. A*) and Decision Making. Module assessment challenges you to understand the importance of not just implementing AI algorithms, but also engaging in problem solving and research into the state-of-the-art AI methods employed in industry.

Students will work in a junior role in a group comprised of students from across the suite of games development courses to mimic a games development studio. They will work with other juniors and level 6 students who take the role of seniors, to make a vertical slice of a game.

Will focus on tool development within Unreal Engine. Students will be asked to design and develop a game mechanic of their choice on a chosen topic, that has been approved, which demonstrates industry standard techniques.

A fast-paced module focusing on Visual Effects for Video Games within an engine. Focuses on UEs Niagara system, Nanite, Lumen, and Shader Development. The purpose of this module is to not only understand the technical development of the VFX but also analyse the development process to identify the purpose of tools to enhance productivity in the development pipeline.

You will explore how to create audio through synthesis and use it to make game experiences better, how audio can be generated and filtered to create different virtual instruments along with how we can use audio in games as either a focal mechanic or as a supportive element. You will understand how to enhance experiences with audio and create sounds for any given situation from raw waveforms and understand their effects on game feel.

Will explore mixed reality and experimental technology for games, critically understanding the theoretical backing of mixed reality interactions, risks and techniques. Implementation will be performed using suitable game development engine, appropriate tools and hardware, for a mixed reality platform.

Will explore the key principles of User Interface design as you research existing Interfaces in games and then design your own. You will explore a range of User Experience principles and use these skills and knowledge to implement your own User Interface into a game engine.

Gives students an opportunity to undertake an in-depth piece of research testing and analysis or a high-quality artefact, ready for their portfolio. You can focus your studies on your career aspirations.

Focusses on the theory and practice of developing for mobile. The processes required to converting a game to mobile but also the requirements to implement the theory behind mobile game development to an indie project from initial idea generation. A strong focus on app store optimisation (ASO) too, with an aim to develop a clear understanding of monetisation mechanisms, acquisition, and retention.

Students will work with game designers, artists and producers to create games in a simulated game studio work environment. You'll enhance your skills in an aspect of game development, by researching and developing a game artefact for your final year project.

Explores game AI from an architectural perspective. How do you develop systems that bring together many simpler techniques into a larger complex architecture. Studying this module will give an appreciation for the field of AAA AI game development and practical insight into how to achieve similar results.

Concerns the development of multiplayer games, covering specific methods and techniques at the forefront of multiplayer games.

Games Development and Procedural Content Generation is a crucial combination of skills. Not only for the developer in the creation phase but also the understanding of PCG tools and the wise choices made to invest time and money into such tools to enhance the workflow of the studio. In this module we investigate the development of PCG and VFX methods in various software with a technical focus on tool development.