Games Production

Video games have eclipsed the film, music and video industries as the dominant entertainment sector in the UK. Our course is designed to equip you for roles that require a vocational aptitude in gaming technologies and tools.

You will gain industry-relevant experience in using different game engines, such as Unity3D and Unreal Engine. You will develop your skills in sound engineering and cross-platform development, such as Console, Mobile, Virtual and Augmented Reality. Professionalism within an industry context is emphasised throughout, with strong links to BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

Study a diverse range of practical, technologies-focused modules such as Audio for Games, Progressive Game Engines and Scripting and AI for Simulation, and develop a comprehensive set of transferable skills that you can apply to the areas of games development that interest you the most. You will also have the opportunity to make a short game using an engine of your choice.

Key features

Benefit from an engaging curriculum that develops your skills in using a range of game engines, 3D modelling software and design IDEs, so you can graduate as a confident and industry-ready computer games producer. Graduates from the related Computer Games Programming BSc are working for gaming companies such as Codemasters and Rockstar North.

Study specialised topics, such as normal mapping and shader programming inside the Unity3D and Unreal engines, as well as exporting models in FBX and OBJ formats from 3D modelling integrated design environments (IDEs,) such as Maya, 3DS MAX and Blender, into your games.

Access our dedicated game development studios, featuring some of the latest technologies for playing and developing games on a range of platforms. Our studios are equipped with a mixture of high-spec gaming computers & hardware and games development software.

Join our thriving gaming societies to build on what you learn on the course by playing games, taking trips to professional gaming events and competing in tournaments. Our Games Development Society gives you the opportunity to work alongside Game Art students in games jams.

Enhance your employability by taking part in industry-focused scenarios such as a task during the Game Prototype Development module, developing your own portfolio and producing your own short game as part of your studies.

Apply for a year-long placement opportunity with support from our dedicated faculty placement team. DMU students have landed roles with companies including Havok, DIGIT, Riot, Black Shamrock and Microsoft.

Enjoy an international experience with our DMU Global programme. During previous trips, students from related courses have gained key insights into San Francisco’s tech industry and visited New York’s Spyscape Museum.

Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

First year

Block 1: Game Design & Development
Block 2: Markup Languages & Scripting
Block 3: Maths & Computer Systems
Block 4: C++ Fundamentals

Second year

Block 1: 3D Pipeline Fundamentals
Block 2: Mobile Games and AI for Simulation
Block 3: Progressive Game Engines & Scripting
Block 4: Game Development Team Project

Third year

Block 1: Advanced Game Engine Application
Block 2: Audio & QA for Games
Block 3: Advanced 3D Workflow & Design
Block 4: Game Development Project

This is a full-time course. Each module is worth 30 credits. Outside of your normal timetabled hours you will be expected to conduct independent study each week to complete preparation tasks, assessments and research.

Teaching

The modules offered on the course have a mixture of teaching and learning strategies to reflect the mix of theory and practice embedded into the programme. Most modules will have formal contact in the form of lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and supported self-study.

Course delivery is in block mode, which means each 30 credit module consists of a seven week teaching block.

Assessment

Assessments can be formative as well as summative and could include practical software development exercises, structured exercises, group and individual projects, and tests. Projects offer the opportunity for students to develop their ability to conduct a sustained individual development exercise. Group projects also allow students to develop their ability to work in teams, to appraise group performance and deal with group problems.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.