Computer Games Design and Programming

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• This award covers both design and programming offering a perfect skillset to manage game production
• The RARE(TM) Motion Capture Studio is located at the University and is an integral part of the resources for this course
• The Usability laboratory offers you the ability to observe game players using your creations
• Modelling studied throughout the course using industry tools
• View our resources.

Read BSc(Hons) Computer Games Design and Programming course information (PDF, file size: 306.43KB)

Staffordshire University is committed to providing the skills required to work in the games industry such as computer animation, games design, games programming, games art, post-production and special effects, and technical direction.

The computer games industry is a vast, new, exciting and expanding market that grosses more than the film and music industries combined. On this course you will create designs for computer games, 3D models and animations and learn programming skills to manipulate or create a games engine, giving you the abilities needed to enter into the field of games production or start your own games company.

You'll have access to a range of networked computer studios which run the latest software for computer animation, games and computer graphics as well as access to our RARE (TM) motion capture studio. Dedicated facilities are provided for computer animation, multimedia, games, networks and digital post production. This course will give you the skills to become a 3D Artist, animator, or set you on the way to becoming a successful games or level designer.

This award was developed in conjunction with the games industry. It gives a good overview of the market so you can gain a clear idea of the area in which you aspire to work. It will give you the skills to become either a 3D modeller or a games programmer. You will create designs for computer games and create industry standard 3D models and animations in both 3D Studio Max and Maya. There are opportunities to use DirectX and OpenGL as well as a variety of tools for physics and AI programming. In Year 1 you will be given a good grounding in 3D modelling techniques and will learn about the reverse engineering of current games with accompanying games design documentation. You will also learn the fundamentals of programming, using C and Java. High concepts, preproduction,
production and testing of a game generated by working in groups, form the basis of Year 2. In Year 3 you will expand your skills in modeling to incorporate advanced 3D techniques in Maya. Further development of your games engine knowledge by creating and manipulating AI, alongside an individual project, also makes up the final year.

Course Outline
Year 1/ level 4

• CE01029-4 Introduction to 3D Modeling for Games 1A
• CE01030-4 Introduction to 3D Modeling for Games 1B 
• CE00010-4 Computer Games Design 1A Design Documentation
• CE00014-4 Computer Games Design 1B Level Design
• CE00371-4  Introduction To Software Development
• CE00882-4 Object Oriented and Event Driven Programming

Option modules include

• CE00466-4 Motion Capture
• CE00369-4 Introduction to Computer Games and Graphical Systems
• CE01106-4 Production Skills for Games
• CE01031-4 Games Engines and Physics 1A
• CE00448-4 Comparative Physiology for Animatronics
• CE00467-4 Geometry and Dynamic Character Design
• CE00739-4 Introduction to Narratology
• CE01023-4 Introduction to Audio Engine Design
• CE00056-4 Introduction to Programming 3D Applications 

Year 2 / level 5

• CE00540-5 3D Character Animation
• CE00541-5 3D Computer Animation 
• CE00015-5 Computer Games Design 2A High Concept and Preproduction (Multi-discipline Group Project)
• CE00017-5 Computer Games Design 2B Production and Testing (Multi-discipline Group Project   
• CE00851-5 Programming Physics Engines and AI for Games
• CE00386-5 Windows Game Programming
• CE00314-2 Further Programming Concepts in C++ 

Option modules include

• CE00545-5 Optical Motion Capture
• CE00768-5 Advanced Narratology
• CE00341-5 A.I. Methods
• CE01036-5 MMOG Services and Communities
• CE01024-5 Advanced Audio Engine Design

Optional Placement year

Year 3 / level 6

• CE00651-6 Entertainment Research Project Dissertation
• CE00652-6 Entertainment Portfolio
• CE00747-6 Games Business and Legal Issues
• CE00769-6 Computer Games Marketing
• CE00391-6 Advanced Windows Game Programming

Option modules include

• CE00385-6 A.I. Engines for Games
• CE01037-6 Character Rigging for Games
• CE00654-6 Hand Held Games Design
• CE00548-6 Advanced Multiplayer Online Games Design
• CE00852-6 Practical Games Strategies
• CE00531-6 Motion Capture Data Handling
• CE00767-6 Narrative for Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG's)
• CE00461-6 On-Line Gaming
• CE01025-6 Audio Engine Programming

Games Technology award handbook (PDF, file size: 1.52MB)

More detailed award information (PDF, file size: 2.35MB)

When you graduate, you will have the skills to enter the field of games production or start your own games company.

• Computer Games Design
• Digital Film and 3D Animation Technology
• Computer Games Programming
• Games Technical Art

For more information about Computer Games Design and Programming (GG46) please contact: