Computer Games Development

Are you a keen programmer who wants to explore games development? Would you like to know how to program within the game engine? Do you aspire to take your technical skills into the games industry from indie to AAA as a Games Developer?

This course is suited to those needs and those who aspire to work in an indie or AAA studio, from mobile games to console and everything in between. It is also good preparation for a career as a software developer in the wider computing industry.

As members of the PlayStation® First Academic Program run by Sony, we have access to professional development hardware and software tools. Using industry standard games engines such as Unreal Engine and Unity, you’ll gain experience in developing games, tools and simulations from an initial concept to finished product.

As a graduate of this course, you will be well equipped to work in the games industry as a games developer in a multitude of linking roles including gameplay, tools, audio, AI, engine, and many more. You will also develop the skills to work in the wider computing industry as a software developer.

You will be taught by a range of academics with experience in academia, research, and industry games development. Module classes also include specialist, guest lecturers from our wide range of industry partners.

Throughout your time at Staffordshire University, you will have many opportunities to interact with the games industry in events such as: guest lectures, portfolio reviews, game jams, networking socials, mock interviews and many more.

Many graduates from the Games Technology area are currently working in companies such as Activision, Rockstar, Codemasters, Playground Games, Rebellion, Rare, Unity, to name but a few!

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development

Year One Core: C# Scripting for Games Engines; Fundamentals of Games Development; Introduction to Asset Creation; Mechanics Prototyping; Production Process and Pipeline; Programming Fundamentals
Year Two Core: Artificial Intelligence for Video Games; C++ for Engines; Junior Collaborative Games Development; Tools Development; VFX for Video Games
Year Two Optional: Audio Development; Mixed Reality for Engines; User Interface Design and Implementation
Year Three Core: Games Development Project; Senior Collaborative Games Development; Mobile Games Development; Prototyping for Technical Designers
Year Three Optional: Advanced Game Artificial Intelligence; Multiplayer Games Development; Procedural Content Generation

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.