Updated on: 04/12/2023 In the field of computing, games development is a multidisciplinary art form that
creates worlds that blend player psychology, problem-solving and artificial intelligence
with knowledge about dedicated hardware and software platforms. This level of ability
can often require significant effort on the part of the student with regards to time and
practice. However, as more experience is gained, the skills and abilities quickly
improve. In addition, once completed it is important to know that the capabilities and
flexibility of a good games developer can easily be transferred to other roles in the
business sector.
This unit introduces students to games development and is designed to simulate the
roles and responsibilities of a games developer working in a suitable games
development studio with access to a small team of colleagues. Students are expected
to discuss and review a number of original game ideas before synthesising them into
a single game concept. Once defined they will need to adopt and use appropriate
methods and practices to analyse, breakdown and discuss the issues then, decide,
design, create and test a functional game. Students should be free to debate, evaluate
and select different design and development methodologies depending on their own
judgement and consideration. On completion, and in addition to the student
reviewing and reflecting on the experience, they will be expected to formally evaluate
their completed game against their Games Design Document and original concept.
Among the topics included in this unit are: game design and developer
documentation, problem analysis, research, system and user requirements, design
methodologies and principles, development methodologies, unified modelling
language (UML), software development lifecycles, games engines, hardware
platforms, graphic manipulation, physics, maths for games, sound, networking,
collision detection, teamwork, peer-reviews, development tools and techniques,
integrated development environments, debugging, testing, software versions and
quality assurance.