Course description
What is the course about?
The course includes the following topics together with many others
-Provision of the theory and practice of computer game design
-Development of knowledge and skills in advancedmultimedia and networking techniques for software development of intelligent computer games
-Application of software engineering disciplines to the planning, management and quality assurance of computer games production
-Use of advanced computing facilities and professional game development tools for computer games production
What are career prospects of the course?
The course offers a variety of career opportunities, e.g.
-Games and entertainment development
-Graphical applications development
-Games production management
-Interactive electronic publishing
-Virtual reality development and application
-Further research by PhD
What are the course details?
The production of a computer game requires a team with many different talents: programmers, designers, artists, animators, and other specialists. Each team member will have to work with those in the same discipline and those in the other different disciplines. Learning their role within the team and how to work with this diverse range is a major component in adapting to the job.
The course is offered for graduates aiming for the role of the games programmer or technical manager within the games production team. It will make the multidisciplinary team context explicit, and develop appropriate knowledge and skills for that role within the team. In addition, it will examine research issues in the technology that will impact the role, prepare the graduates for inevitable technology changes, and develop the skills of evaluation and critical appraisal needed to deal with changes.
The aim of the course is to provide people of graduate status working, or planning to work, in the computer games industry, with the opportunity to enhance their career prospects by gaining additional knowledge and skills in the areas of games technologies and their applications.
The programme learning outcomes define that at the end of the course, students should:
Be aware of current and developing principles and practices within Computer Games Technology
Have widened and deepened their knowledge and skills in the area of Computer Games Technology and its applications
Have been exposed to and applied a range of tools and techniques
currently being used in the development of Computer Games Technology
Have critically analysed and developed a major piece of work in the area
Be able to understand current research issues in the relevant aspects of Computer Games Technology
Be able to study independently and have developed research methodology skills
Be able to work more effectively as part of a team or as a team leader
The course consists of the following core and option modules delivered in the semesters of each academic year:
SEMESTER 1 CORE MODULES
-Software Development for Games
-Computer Game Design
-Research Methods
SEMESTER 1 OPTION MODULES
-Advanced Computer Graphics
-Multimedia Technology
-Multimedia Systems Development
-Computer Networks
-Ubiquitous Computing
-Software Agents
-Forensic Computing
SEMESTER 2 CORE MODULES
-Advanced Games Programming
-Computer GamesWorkshop
SEMESTER 2 OPTION MODULES
-Computer Visualisation and Animation
-Online Gaming
-Human Computer Interaction
-Internetworking
-Knowledge Based Systems
-Virtual Reality
-Advanced Computer Games Technology
-Mobile Computing
-Project Dissertation (to be described in Section 6)
-The five core modules have been designed to offer a study of current techniques in the development of computer games and research methodologies. In addition to the core modules, a minimum of three options must be selected from the above lists of option modules. As a particular example, the core modules, together with the options on Computer Networks, Online Gaming, and Advanced Computer Graphics, will provide a ‘Networked Games’ based specialism.
In Semester 1, full-time students normally study all the three core modules listed above and one option module selected. Part-time students normally study two core modules in the first year, and the third core module and one option module selected in the second year.
In Semester 2, full-time students normally study the two core modules listed above and two option modules selected. Part-time students normally study the two core modules in the first year, and two option modules in the second year.
For Project Dissertation, students normally complete their projects by the end of August, after the completion of all the five core and three selected option modules.
Some details of the core modules and the brief summaries of the option modules for the course are given below:
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR GAMES
This module develops an understanding of the features and limitations of
technology used in computer games software, fundamental knowledge
and skills applicable to software development for computer games. It
provides the background principles of graphics programming and
interactive programming. It also covers a basic understanding of planning
and managing software development for computer games.
Topics studied include interactive program design issues, concepts and
mathematical principles of graphics, practical programming techniques,
animation and sound effects, and games project planning and
management.
COMPUTER GAME DESIGN
This module provides a thorough understanding of the theory and
practice of game design, examines current approaches applicable to
computer game design, and develops a critical language and thought
with regard to computer game design. It involves key processes in
computer games development, production of game design documents,
and critique and appraisal for game designs.
Topics studied include the history of computer games, computer game
genres, game theory, game development teams, game design principles,
and game design documents.
RESEARCH METHODS
This module provides a grounding in research methods as they apply to
research in computing systems. It outlines essential considerations when
conducting experimental research, survey research, field research, etc.,
and allows an opportunity to analyse research papers and develop
familiarity with research areas and approaches. It also provides students
with an opportunity to plan and develop an individual research strategy
suitable for a Master’s dissertation.
Topics studied include a variety of research methods and processes,
general components of surveys and field studies, issues in problem
analysis, topical research sources, and the requirements of a dissertation.
ADVANCED GAMES PROGRAMMING
This module extends students’ skills and expertise in developing
computer games, to provide them with advanced techniques applicable
to computer games development. It also examines the role of application
programming interfaces (APIs) applicable to modern game development,
and current issues in research applicable to computer games
development.
Topics studied include applying artificial intelligence to games,
programming Windows games using DirectX APIs, 3D worlds,
Kinematics, APIs for 3dWorlds, and selected research issues.
COMPUTER GAMESWORKSHOP
This module exposes students to the process and techniques of creating
advanced computer/video games under simulated conditions of a realworld
game software development company. Teams of students will
experience a condensed version of the entire video game development
process, simulating the role of a small independent developer contracted
for the development of a computer game.
Topics studied include practical skills in game planing, application of
software development methodologies for computer games, use of
programming techniques and advanced software tools for game
development, and documentation for the game development process.
FORENSIC COMPUTING
This module is intended for post-graduate students interested in the field
of forensic computing. The purpose of the module is to provide the
fundamental technical concepts and research issues essential for
computer forensic investigations within the organisation, law
enforcement or national security.
MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY offers an understanding and critical
evaluation of the current hardware for sound and video, and relevant
software development tools for supporting the development of general
integrated multimedia applications.
MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT offers understanding and skills
in multimedia programming and design, and introduces recent
developments in the subject area.
COMPUTER NETWORKS enables students to develop effective network
architectures at hardware and software levels and to gain practical
experience in communication protocols.
ADVANCED COMPUTER GRAPHICS explains the principles and
techniques underlying 3D computer graphics, develops programming
skills in 3D graphics, and demonstrates advanced techniques for 3D
rendering and modelling.
UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING provides an understanding of contemporary
research in the research topics that make up the fields of
pervasive/ubiquitous computing.
SOFTWARE AGENTS offers an understanding of the mobile agent
paradigm and investigates the application of mobile agent systems to real
world problems.
VIRTUAL REALITY offers students opportunities to develop skills in
desktop virtual reality worlds construction and applications evaluation.
COMPUTER VISUALISATION AND ANIMATION explores a variety of
computer animation techniques, e.g. motion control and deformation,
animation of natural phenomena, and collision detection.
ONLINE GAMING covers the various design and interactivity issues of
multiplayer games, and also provides information on different facilities
used for online gaming, including video game consoles, wireless devices,
and the Internet.
HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION provides students with design
principles of user interfaces and multimedia techniques for building
systems with good interactivity and usability.
INTERNETWORKING develops an understanding of global distributed
multimedia systems and skills in the development of such systems and
supporting networks.
KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS provides an understanding of
knowledge-based information systems and the corresponding problem
solving technologies.
ADVANCED COMPUTER GAMES TECHNOLOGY develops and
understanding of advanced techniques applicable to game development
and suitable solutions to a diverse range of advanced computer game
problems.
