Objectives
Film, TV and the print media, as well as architecture, health services and the heritage sector, are fast exploiting the digital innovation that dominates the production of video games. Our course equips graduates with the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills to enter the growing area of creative games and the application of game engines for the cultural and creative industries. Potential career areas include application design, lead design, system design, academic research, and consultancy for private corporations and the public sector.
Course description
Creative Games - MSc/PgDip
STRUCTURE | Semester 1 introduces students to research concepts and principles of creative problem solving in the context of games design. The techniques used to design, model and display realistic 3D visualisations are explored as are the characteristics of non-immersive, semi-immersive and fully immersive visualisation systems. Cognitive science and the psychology of human computer interaction provide an understanding of modern interactive systems development.
Semester 2 focuses on developing an understanding of the application of design and development within interactive 3D environments. Students undertake games development and advanced programming utilising appropriate object-oriented tools, methodologies and techniques. An extended piece of research, in relation to a proposed area of practice, allows students to formulate research methods, ideas and strategies in line with career aspirations.
Semester 3 is self-directed allowing students to develop a substantial body of work. Critical awareness, within a chosen technological medium, enables innovative gaming proposals to be realised. Students develop the ability to understand the importance of creativity and innovation in the design process. A wide range of experimental perspectives can be accommodated and non-conventional approaches supported.
FEATURES | Students build on current capabilities and develop these skills in an integrated way in order to manage dynamically complex and often unpredictable problems, extend specialist knowledge and adapt strategies to meet new demands. Students are encouraged to creatively consider all aspects of games development and implementation.
The development of programming skills using UnrealScript, Games for Architects and Urban Planners, and Augmented Reality, underpins an integrated approach to game development. The ability to critically evaluate, select and integrate various technologies used for systematic game programming is developed and the role and potential of intelligent agents in visualisation applications is introduced.
Keynote lectures, independent and guided learning, individual and group tutorials are just some of the teaching and learning strategies employed. Owing to the nature of the subject matter, considerable emphasis is placed on practical lab-based workshops and project work, using specialist equipment.
A series of guest lectures by specialists from the industry as well as the academia and the arts add to the variety of standpoints, practices and aesthetic approaches.
Students are able to reflect upon their current practice and personal and professional development needs and undertake appropriate training where necessary.
APPLICANT PROFILE | Applicants require a good honours degree in an appropriate discipline and/or equivalent industrial expertise or artistic practice. The course encourages applications from a mix of creative and technological backgrounds including mature applicants. Due to the fast changing and new fields creative games encompasses, applicants with non-conventional ideas, backgrounds and interests are welcome.
