Computer Games Programming

Games Engine Foundations

This module introduces students to games development using games engines. By utilising existing game frameworks, students will learn the foundations of level creation and scripting in Unreal Engine.

Module code: GAME30511

Introduction To Collaborative Enterprise

Video games are interdisciplinary pieces of interactive art that require a range of specialist skills. The majority of the games that you have played will have been developed by a team of individuals. Games Developers rarely work alone. This module will challenge you to capitalise on your skills and individual creativity while working with a mixed disciplinary team of games developers. Beyond developing a video games artefact, you will be exposed to the tools, practices, and transferable skills required to work effectively as part of a group.

Module code: GAME30512

Introduction Into Games Scholarship

The games industry is a melting pot of different creative and technical roles. In this module, you will begin your journey as a games developer in training, understanding the roles and career opportunities within the games industry and beyond. You will also be exposed to the reality of the industry, exploring the ethical, economic, and societal impact of games. We will also support you in the creation of a career action plan, helping you to develop as an independent learner.

Module code: GAME30513

Programming Foundations

The fundamentals of programming module will give you a firm grounding in the concepts of programming. Once you have mastered the fundamentals, you will then create a game using your acquired knowledge.Once you have completed the module, you will be prepared for taking your skills further with C++, which is introduced at level 4. You will also appreciate how programming skills interrelate to engine assisted development.

Module code: GAME30514

Games Design Foundations

This module introduces students to the process of game design and creation. Students will learn how to design great gameplay experiences in the form of levels and game mechanics. This is achieved by exploring existing game design theory, deconstructing existing games, and producing clear, professional game design documentation.

Module code: GAME30510

Bespoke Platform Development

This module will challenge your ability to identify the operational and functional characteristics of a simple game and systemically take this product from conception to implementation with a theoretical backing in project formulation, planning and execution. Implementation will be performed using suitable game development frameworks, sound programming principles, for a proprietary gaming platform.

Module code: GDEV40003

C# Scripting For Games Engines

This module 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.

Module code: GDEV40008

Programming Fundamentals

There are a wide range of core programming concepts that a required to understand before you can create more complex games and applications. In this module we will introduce the techniques required to get started in the world of programming, this means topics such as: data types, conditionals, functions, and object-oriented programming will be taught which will culminate in the development of a text-based game.

Module code: GDEV40024

Computational Methods

Computer games systems need to solve computational problems very quickly, in order to deliver the best experience possible. In Computational Methods, students will learn the kinds of techniques, developed through computer science, that can help to solve computational problems in the most efficient ways possible. Students will also learn to appreciate just how long problems can take if the more efficient techniques are not employed.

Module code: GDEV40015

Introduction To Graphics Programming

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of computer graphics in games and graphical programming techniques applied to games.

Module code: GDEV40026

Mechanics Prototyping

This module 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.

Module code: GDEV40018

Multiplayer Games Programming

Networking and multiplayer elements are used in most games to connect players together and to allow them to interact and engage within a game world. In this module you will learn how to create a networking library that is able to send complex information over a network, design a multithreaded codebase that is able to run multiple strands of code concurrently and design and develop a multiplayer game.

Module code: GDEV50037

Junior Collaborative Games Development

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.

Module code: GDEV50001

Experimental Systems

This module 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.

Module code: GDEV50018

Real-Time Illumination Programming

This module will provide a comprehensive introduction to programming ray tracing. Ray tracing is a powerful technique for creating realistic lighting in computer graphics, and is increasingly being used in computer games. Throughout the module, you will learn the fundamentals of ray tracing, including the theory behind it and how it differs from traditional rasterisation techniques. You will gain a hands-on experience in setting up a development environment for creating ray tracing applications, and writing simple ray tracing shaders. Additionally, you will learn about optimisation techniques for improving the performance of ray tracing. By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of the theory and practice of ray tracing, and be able to create simple scenes that use ray tracing techniques.

Module code: GDEV50041

Applied Mathematics For Games

Modern computer games are often required to demonstrate a close approximation of the physics of the real world. At the very least, games need to be internally consistent. In Applied Mathematics for Games students will learn the mathematics and physics of the real world and learn how they can be adapted for in-game simulation.

Module code: GDEV50017

Game Audio

Module code: GDEV50031

Tools Development

Creating tools and unique systems to help improve and streamline the games development process is vital to ensuring consistency of tasks, speed of development and the quality of the game. Tools can range from build systems, procedural content generation, asset creation and more. In this module you will learn how to identify problems, conduct research, design a solution and ultimate create a system.

Module code: GDEV50047

Game Artificial Intelligence

What are fundamental Artificial Intelligence skills a student needs to build their own games and enter the games industry? Game Artificial Intelligence addresses this question and provides the knowledge and practical skills in four key areas: Research, Steering behaviours, Pathfinding (i.e. A*) and Decision Making. The module assessment challenges you to understand the importance of not just implementing AI algorithms, but also to engage in problem solving and research into the state-of-the-art AI methods employed in industry.

Module code: GDEV50025

Real-Time Rendering Framework

This module will introduce you to graphics and real-time 3D rendering application, targeting high level shading and modern graphics API and C++. Considerations of object-oriented principles, extensible code, and rendering architecture as part of a game engine will be explored throughout the module.

Module code: GDEV50038

Games Development Project

The Games Development Project module 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. Whether it's stylised game characters, stalking AI monsters, procedural environments, immersive level design, or a concept for futuristic vehicles. The project allows you the opportunity to work with a supervisor and tailor the project to you. Your supervisor will be your guide and project manager. Supporting you in your journey to create a highly developed outcome with industry standard software whilst receiving lectures on portfolio development and employability.

Module code: GDEV60001

Cross Platform Engine Development

Working in a group you will design and develop a complex game engine that will be able to deploy game builds to different platforms. This module will allow you to showcase all you have learned throughout your time on the course whether that is graphics, AI, optimisation, architecture, etc and take ownership of a feature set within a large codebase.

Module code: GDEV60020

Low-Level Platform Optimisation

Low-level Platform Optimisation provides the essential C++ low-level programming skills required for industry. Although the module is game-oriented, the knowledge applied is fundamental to any C++ programming project which requires optimisation and a fundamental knowledge of the underlying performance. The assessment will also test the ability to search for and apply platform specific techniques when porting an application.

Module code: GDEV60024

Audio Programming

This module will introduce you to the low-level processes and structures at the heart of game audio. You will explore a variety of different tools and approaches, then identify, select, and refine and industry-relevant problem related to real-time generation, processing, and/or mixing, and/or audio integration for games. You will implement a functional audio tool or system to address your chosen problem and communicate your work to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Module code: GDEV60014

Advanced Real-Time Graphics

Having learned the fundamentals of graphics programming, Advanced Real-Time Graphics will delve deeper into the rendering techniques we experience in most modern 3D computer games. You will learn and develop a series of rendering techniques using the functionality of the complete set of programmable shaders.

Module code: GDEV60010

Cloud-Based Multiplayer Games Development

Practically every game has networking functionality and some of the most popular games allow for 100s of players to interact with each other. In this module you will design and develop a networked game that utilises cloud services to allow players to connect and interact over the internet.

Module code: GDEV60015

Advanced Game Artificial Intelligence

Advanced Game Artificial Intelligence 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 chieve similar results.

Module code: GDEV60009

Bespoke Platform Development

This module will challenge your ability to identify the operational and functional characteristics of a simple game and systemically take this product from conception to implementation with a theoretical backing in project formulation, planning and execution. Implementation will be performed using suitable game development frameworks, sound programming principles, for a proprietary gaming platform.

Module code: GDEV40003

Computational Methods

Computer games systems need to solve computational problems very quickly, in order to deliver the best experience possible. In Computational Methods, students will learn the kinds of techniques, developed through computer science, that can help to solve computational problems in the most efficient ways possible. Students will also learn to appreciate just how long problems can take if the more efficient techniques are not employed.

Module code: GDEV40015

Introduction To Graphics Programming

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of computer graphics in games and graphical programming techniques applied to games.

Module code: GDEV40026

C# Scripting For Games Engines

This module 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.

Module code: GDEV40008

Programming Fundamentals

There are a wide range of core programming concepts that a required to understand before you can create more complex games and applications. In this module we will introduce the techniques required to get started in the world of programming, this means topics such as: data types, conditionals, functions, and object-oriented programming will be taught which will culminate in the development of a text-based game.

Module code: GDEV40024

Mechanics Prototyping

This module 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.

Module code: GDEV40018

Junior Collaborative Games Development

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.

Module code: GDEV50001

Tools Development

Creating tools and unique systems to help improve and streamline the games development process is vital to ensuring consistency of tasks, speed of development and the quality of the game. Tools can range from build systems, procedural content generation, asset creation and more. In this module you will learn how to identify problems, conduct research, design a solution and ultimate create a system.

Module code: GDEV50047

Multiplayer Games Programming

Networking and multiplayer elements are used in most games to connect players together and to allow them to interact and engage within a game world. In this module you will learn how to create a networking library that is able to send complex information over a network, design a multithreaded codebase that is able to run multiple strands of code concurrently and design and develop a multiplayer game.

Module code: GDEV50037

Game Artificial Intelligence

What are fundamental Artificial Intelligence skills a student needs to build their own games and enter the games industry? Game Artificial Intelligence addresses this question and provides the knowledge and practical skills in four key areas: Research, Steering behaviours, Pathfinding (i.e. A*) and Decision Making. The module assessment challenges you to understand the importance of not just implementing AI algorithms, but also to engage in problem solving and research into the state-of-the-art AI methods employed in industry.

Module code: GDEV50025

Real-Time Illumination Programming

This module will provide a comprehensive introduction to programming ray tracing. Ray tracing is a powerful technique for creating realistic lighting in computer graphics, and is increasingly being used in computer games. Throughout the module, you will learn the fundamentals of ray tracing, including the theory behind it and how it differs from traditional rasterisation techniques. You will gain a hands-on experience in setting up a development environment for creating ray tracing applications, and writing simple ray tracing shaders. Additionally, you will learn about optimisation techniques for improving the performance of ray tracing. By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of the theory and practice of ray tracing, and be able to create simple scenes that use ray tracing techniques.

Module code: GDEV50041

Game Audio

Module code: GDEV50031

Real-Time Rendering Framework

This module will introduce you to graphics and real-time 3D rendering application, targeting high level shading and modern graphics API and C++. Considerations of object-oriented principles, extensible code, and rendering architecture as part of a game engine will be explored throughout the module.

Module code: GDEV50038

Applied Mathematics For Games

Modern computer games are often required to demonstrate a close approximation of the physics of the real world. At the very least, games need to be internally consistent. In Applied Mathematics for Games students will learn the mathematics and physics of the real world and learn how they can be adapted for in-game simulation.

Module code: GDEV50017

Experimental Systems

This module 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.

Module code: GDEV50018

Dta Industrial Placement

Module code: PLAC00003

Low-Level Platform Optimisation

Low-level Platform Optimisation provides the essential C++ low-level programming skills required for industry. Although the module is game-oriented, the knowledge applied is fundamental to any C++ programming project which requires optimisation and a fundamental knowledge of the underlying performance. The assessment will also test the ability to search for and apply platform specific techniques when porting an application.

Module code: GDEV60024

Cross Platform Engine Development

Working in a group you will design and develop a complex game engine that will be able to deploy game builds to different platforms. This module will allow you to showcase all you have learned throughout your time on the course whether that is graphics, AI, optimisation, architecture, etc and take ownership of a feature set within a large codebase.

Module code: GDEV60020

Advanced Real-Time Graphics

Having learned the fundamentals of graphics programming, Advanced Real-Time Graphics will delve deeper into the rendering techniques we experience in most modern 3D computer games. You will learn and develop a series of rendering techniques using the functionality of the complete set of programmable shaders.

Module code: GDEV60010

Games Development Project

The Games Development Project module 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. Whether it's stylised game characters, stalking AI monsters, procedural environments, immersive level design, or a concept for futuristic vehicles. The project allows you the opportunity to work with a supervisor and tailor the project to you. Your supervisor will be your guide and project manager. Supporting you in your journey to create a highly developed outcome with industry standard software whilst receiving lectures on portfolio development and employability.

Module code: GDEV60001

Audio Programming

This module will introduce you to the low-level processes and structures at the heart of game audio. You will explore a variety of different tools and approaches, then identify, select, and refine and industry-relevant problem related to real-time generation, processing, and/or mixing, and/or audio integration for games. You will implement a functional audio tool or system to address your chosen problem and communicate your work to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Module code: GDEV60014

Advanced Game Artificial Intelligence

Advanced Game Artificial Intelligence 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 chieve similar results.

Module code: GDEV60009

Cloud-Based Multiplayer Games Development

Practically every game has networking functionality and some of the most popular games allow for 100s of players to interact with each other. In this module you will design and develop a networked game that utilises cloud services to allow players to connect and interact over the internet.

Module code: GDEV60015