26/06/14
Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
V01/14
COURSES
Qualifications on Offer
In the School of the Arts
BA (Hons) Games Art
In the School of Science & Technology
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
&
HND Computer Games Development
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RECRUITMENT PRESENTATION
Going to University
Introduction
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You could become more independent, try new activities, meet lots of new people.
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You will also be able to develop new skills, and gain confidence.
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However, you must be prepared to work hard and to manage your own time well.
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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
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Employees will look at University as experience of independent thinking, higher level cognitive skills
and an ability to see through three years of study
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Games Development at UoN
School 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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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Group Project Yearly Themes
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.
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Course Structure
Level 4 (Year 1)
Level 5 (Year 2)
BA Games Art
BSc/HND Computer
Games Development
BA Games Art
BSc/HND Computer
Games Development
3DD1007
Visual Studies 1
CSY1018
Internet Technology
3DD2028
Visual Studies 2
CSY2006
Software
Engineering 2
CSY1019
Software
Engineering 1
3DD2063
3D Modelling,
Technical Art
CSY2026
Modern Networks
3DD1055
2D Digital Practice
3DD1056
3D Modelling
CSY1020
Problem Solving &
Programming
3DD2064
3D Organic
Modelling
CSY2028
Internet
Programming
CSY1021
Database 1
CSY2033
Graphics 2D
CSY1024
Games Techniques
1
CSY2034
Games Techniques 2
CSY1025
Group Project 1 (Games)
CSY2035
Group Project 2 (Games)
Level 6 (Year 3)
BA Games Art
3DD4009
Art Director Portfolio,
Final Major Project
3DD3038
Professional Practice
3DD3037
Visual Studies 3
BSc Computer Games
Development
CSY4010
Computing
Dissertation
CSY3028
Graphics 3D
CSY3030
Games Techniques 3
CSY3029
Mobile Computing 2
CSY3031
Group Project 3 (Games)
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
The Main Games Module
Group Project 1, 2, & 3
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There is a group project every year
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Students from both courses work alongside each other to create a development group.
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The games you create will be aimed at going live to others outside the university
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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.
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This replicates the process of making games as it is in industry.
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Games Software Used
Computer Games Development
Games Art
Year 1
Year 1
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FlashDevelop (AS3), Sparrow
Year 2
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CryEngine3; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash;
Autodesk Maya, 3DS Max, Sketchbook
Pro; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.
Year 2
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Adobe Photoshop; Autodesk Maya, 3DS
Max, MotionBuilder; Zbrush; Unity;
Unreal Engine 4.
Year 3
Year 3
•
•
CryEngine3; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.
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Adobe Photoshop; Autodesk Maya, 3DS
Max, MotionBuilder; Zbrush; Unity;
Unreal Engine 4.
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Entry Requirements
BSc (Hons) / BA (Hons)
HND
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A typical offer is between 280+ UCAS
tariff points.
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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 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.
•
For the Games Art course a portfolio is •
required at interview.
We welcome applications from mature
students with relevant computing
experience.
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A typical offer is 140+ UCAS tariff points.
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Portfolio – Games Art
Staff at interview will look for:
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Sketchbooks full of drawings and /or digital and online portfolios
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Drawing from Life – such as Life Drawing, Observational Drawing
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Good draftsmanship and technical skill in drawing
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Evidence of an interest in art, and in games
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Modelling and texturing skills
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Work you have produced outside of your college course; game projects, game
mods, portfolio work, sketchbooks
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Special Course Features
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Interlinked courses allow for a real life games
development experience.
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A supportive approach to tuition with small class
(≤24) sizes.
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An emphasis on practical learning.
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Dedicated Games Labs and Open Access
(24/7) Games lab
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Creative students have dedicated drawing
studio space, with life drawing and visual
studies taught throughout – giving a solid art
school foundation
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Supportive and approachable tutors with
industry experience.
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Small group and peer review groups, group crits
and co-working take place throughout each year
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Course and module support via the course web
site and University Virtual Learning Environment
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(VLE).
Up to date workstation hardware and software
in dedicated laboratories, including Wacom
Cintiqs and Wacom Intuos
Student Computing Society & the BCS.
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
More Special Course Features
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Possible opportunities in gaining an Internship –
Small indie companies and large “AAA” titles.
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Links with industry (CryTek, Jagex, CinderUK,
Activision/ FreeStyleGames)
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Entry to national games competitions (“Off the Map”,
“Make Something Unreal”, “Dare to be Digital”,
Aardvark Swift – “Search for a Star” ).
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Course trips to games companies and national
gaming events (EuroGamer, GamesCity).
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A member of BUGS (Business and University
Games Syndicate).
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Recognized as an “Unreal Academia”.
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Examples of work completed by Year 1
Computer Games Development students.
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Examples of work completed by Year 1
Games Art students.
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
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Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
16/10/12
Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
•
Martyn Simmons – Course Leader, Bsc Computer Games Development, BA Games Art
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Martyn.simmons@northampton.ac.uk
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Shane Mitchell – Senior Lecturer, BA Games Art
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Shane.mitchell@northampton.ac.uk
16/10/12
Games Development at UoN
School of the Arts
&
School of Science & Technology
Written and presented
by the Games Development Team