Games Development at UoN School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology 26/06/14

Games Development at UoN Games Development at UoN School of the Arts&School of Science & Technology

26/06/14

Qualifications on Offer

In the School of the ArtsBA (Hons) Games Art

In the School of Science & TechnologyBSc (Hons) Computer Games Development

&HND Computer Games Development

COURSESV01/14

Going to University

• You could become more independent, try new activities, meet lots of new people.

• You will also be able to develop new skills, and gain confidence.

• However, you must be prepared to work hard and to manage your own time well.

• If you go on to higher education, you could be more employable than people without a higher education qualification, and you might earn more money

• Employees will look at University as experience of independent thinking, higher level cognitive skills and an ability to see through three years of study

Introduction

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Games Development at UoNSchool of the Arts&School of Science & Technology

Games Development at UoN

About the courses

BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development & BA (Hons) Games Art courses are three years, and the HND Computer Games Development course is two years full-time. Completion of the HND will enable transfer* to the BSc (Hons).

The BSc (Hons) / HND Computer Games Development will mainly be taught over in the School of Science and Technology, whiles the BA Games Art will mainly be taught over in the School of the Arts.

Both courses join together for joint modules where working groups of artist and programmers will work together on collaborative game projects (mirroring industry practice)

*Degree classification will be based on the final year for HND transfers, whereas classification normally based on year 2 and 3 grades.

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Each year the shared group project (games) will have a common theme. This will provide the focus to the games and the gaming industry that we will be investigating.

Year 1 – 2D Gaming

This will be investigating causal 2D design, and creating games for PC, games consoles, and mobile devices.

Year 2 - 3D Gaming

The goal of this stage is to direct the students' learning towards the development of 'traditional' 3D games. Like the first year, this year of the course will again feature a shared team project, with the goal to design and create a 3D game with high visual fidelity and strong game play aspects.

Year 3 – Social Gaming

At this stage the students' learning will be direct towards the development of social gaming, a style of game that combines aesthetics and programming with an internet backend and service-based business model.

Group Project Yearly Themes


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Course Structure


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Level 4 (Year 1) Level 5 (Year 2) Level 6 (Year 3)

BA Games Art BSc/HND Computer Games Development BA Games Art

BSc/HND Computer Games Development BA Games Art BSc Computer Games

Development

3DD1007Visual Studies 1

CSY1018

Internet Technology3DD2028

Visual Studies 2

CSY2006Software

Engineering 2

3DD4009Art Director Portfolio, Final Major Project

CSY4010Computing Dissertation

3DD10552D Digital Practice

CSY1019Software

Engineering 1

3DD20633D Modelling, Technical Art

CSY2026

Modern Networks

CSY1020Problem Solving &

Programming

CSY2028Internet

Programming

CSY3028Graphics 3D

3DD10563D Modelling

CSY1021Database 1

3DD20643D Organic Modelling

CSY2033Graphics 2D

3DD3037Visual Studies 3

CSY3029Mobile Computing 2

CSY1024Games Techniques

1

CSY2034Games Techniques

2

3DD3038Professional Practice

CSY3030Games Techniques 3

CSY1025Group Project 1 (Games)



• There is a group project every year

• Students from both courses work alongside each other to create a development group.

• The games you create will be aimed at going live to others outside the university

• Working on a project brief from initial concept idea through to concept art work & storyboard. Then from initial programming to final production & release of the game.

• This replicates the process of making games as it is in industry.

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The Main Games Module

Group Project 1, 2, & 3


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Games Software Used

Computer Games Development


Year 1

• FlashDevelop (AS3), Sparrow

Year 2

• CryEngine3; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.

Year 3

• CryEngine3; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.

Year 1

• Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash; Autodesk Maya, 3DS Max, Sketchbook Pro; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.

Year 2

• Adobe Photoshop; Autodesk Maya, 3DS Max, MotionBuilder; Zbrush; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.

Year 3

• Adobe Photoshop; Autodesk Maya, 3DS Max, MotionBuilder; Zbrush; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.

Games Art

• A typical offer is 140+ UCAS tariff points.

• For the Computer Games Development course, In addition to standard entry requirements, applicants will be expected to have achieved GCSE Mathematics (or equivalent) at grade C or above. Previous experience of computing is desirable.

• We welcome applications from mature students with relevant computing experience.


Entry Requirements

BSc (Hons) / BA (Hons) HND

• A typical offer is between 280+ UCAS tariff points.

• A wide range of qualifications are accepted, usually at least a relevant HNC. For the top-up with direct entry into the final level, students must have a relevant HND or Foundation Degree and are required to demonstrate a suitable profile of achievement.

• For the Games Art course a portfolio is required at interview.

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Portfolio – Games Art

Staff at interview will look for:

• Sketchbooks full of drawings and /or digital and online portfolios

• Drawing from Life – such as Life Drawing, Observational Drawing

• Good draftsmanship and technical skill in drawing

• Evidence of an interest in art, and in games

• Modelling and texturing skills

• Work you have produced outside of your college course; game projects, game mods, portfolio work, sketchbooks

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• A supportive approach to tuition with small class (≤24) sizes.

• Dedicated Games Labs and Open Access (24/7) Games lab

• Supportive and approachable tutors with industry experience.

• Small group and peer review groups, group crits and co-working take place throughout each year

• Student Computing Society & the BCS.


Special Course Features

• Interlinked courses allow for a real life games development experience.

• An emphasis on practical learning.

• Creative students have dedicated drawing studio space, with life drawing and visual studies taught throughout – giving a solid art school foundation

• Course and module support via the course web site and University Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

• Up to date workstation hardware and software in dedicated laboratories, including Wacom Cintiqs and Wacom Intuos

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More Special Course Features

• Possible opportunities in gaining an Internship – Small indie companies and large “AAA” titles.

• Links with industry (CryTek, Jagex, CinderUK, Activision/ FreeStyleGames)

• Entry to national games competitions (“Off the Map”, “Make Something Unreal”, “Dare to be Digital”, Aardvark Swift – “Search for a Star” ).

• Course trips to games companies and national gaming events (EuroGamer, GamesCity).

• A member of BUGS (Business and University Games Syndicate).

• Recognized as an “Unreal Academia”.

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Examples of work completed by Year 1 Computer Games Development students.

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Examples of work completed by Year 1 Games Art students.

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16/10/12 Games Development at UoNSchool of the Arts&School of Science & Technology

• Martyn Simmons – Course Leader, Bsc Computer Games Development, BA Games Art

• [email protected]

• Shane Mitchell – Senior Lecturer, BA Games Art

• [email protected]

Written and presented by the Games Development Team

16/10/12 Games Development at UoNSchool of the Arts&School of Science & Technology

Documents

Games Development at UoN School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology 26/06/14