26 06 14 Games Development at Uo N School of

26/06/14 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology

V 01/14 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

V 12/12 RECRUITMENT PRESENTATION Going to University Introduction • You could become more independent, try new activities, meet lots of new people. • You will also be able to develop new skills, and gain confidence. • However, you must be prepared to work hard and to manage your own time well. • 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 • Employees will look at University as experience of independent thinking, higher level cognitive skills and an ability to see through three years of study

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Games Development at Uo. N 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.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N 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 – 2 D Gaming This will be investigating causal 2 D design, and creating games for PC, games consoles, and mobile devices. Year 2 - 3 D Gaming The goal of this stage is to direct the students' learning towards the development of 'traditional' 3 D 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 3 D 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.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Course Structure Level 4 (Year 1) BA Games Art BSc/HND Computer Games Development CSY 1018 3 DD 1007 Visual Studies 1 Internet Technology CSY 1019 Software 3 DD 1055 Engineering 1 2 D Digital Practice CSY 1020 Problem Solving & Programming CSY 1021 3 DD 1056 Database 1 3 D Modelling CSY 1024 Games Techniques 1 CSY 1025 Group Project 1 (Games) Level 5 (Year 2) BA Games Art BSc/HND Computer Games Development CSY 2006 3 DD 2028 Software Visual Studies 2 Engineering 2 3 DD 2063 CSY 2026 3 D Modelling, Modern Networks Technical Art CSY 2028 3 DD 2064 Internet 3 D Organic Programming Modelling CSY 2033 Graphics 2 D CSY 2034 Games Techniques 2 CSY 2035 Group Project 2 (Games) Level 6 (Year 3) BA Games Art BSc Computer Games Development 3 DD 4009 CSY 4010 Art Director Portfolio, Computing Final Major Project Dissertation 3 DD 3038 Professional Practice CSY 3028 Graphics 3 D 3 DD 3037 Visual Studies 3 CSY 3030 Games Techniques 3 CSY 3029 Mobile Computing 2 CSY 3031 Group Project 3 (Games)

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology The Main Games Module Group Project 1, 2, & 3 • There is a group project every year • Students from both courses work alongside each other to create a development group. • The games you create will be aimed at going live to others outside the university • 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. • This replicates the process of making games as it is in industry.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Games Software Used Computer Games Development Games Art Year 1 • Flash. Develop (AS 3), Sparrow Year 2 • Cry. Engine 3; Unity; Unreal Engine 4. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash; Autodesk Maya, 3 DS Max, Sketchbook Pro; Unity; Unreal Engine 4. Year 2 • Adobe Photoshop; Autodesk Maya, 3 DS Max, Motion. Builder; Zbrush; Unity; Unreal Engine 4. Year 3 • • Cry. Engine 3; Unity; Unreal Engine 4. • Adobe Photoshop; Autodesk Maya, 3 DS Max, Motion. Builder; Zbrush; Unity; Unreal Engine 4.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Entry Requirements BSc (Hons) / BA (Hons) HND • A typical offer is between 280+ UCAS tariff points. • 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. • A typical offer is 140+ UCAS tariff points.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Portfolio – Games Art Staff at interview will look for: • Sketchbooks full of drawings and /or digital and online portfolios • Drawing from Life – such as Life Drawing, Observational Drawing • Good draftsmanship and technical skill in drawing • Evidence of an interest in art, and in games • Modelling and texturing skills • Work you have produced outside of your college course; game projects, game mods, portfolio work, sketchbooks

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Special Course Features • Interlinked courses allow for a real life games development experience. • A supportive approach to tuition with small class (≤ 24) sizes. • An emphasis on practical learning. • Dedicated Games Labs and Open Access (24/7) Games lab • Creative students have dedicated drawing studio space, with life drawing and visual studies taught throughout – giving a solid art school foundation • Supportive and approachable tutors with industry experience. • Small group and peer review groups, group crits and co-working take place throughout each year • • Course and module support via the course web site and University Virtual Learning Environment • (VLE). Up to date workstation hardware and software in dedicated laboratories, including Wacom Cintiqs and Wacom Intuos Student Computing Society & the BCS.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology More Special Course Features • Possible opportunities in gaining an Internship – Small indie companies and large “AAA” titles. • Links with industry (Cry. Tek, Jagex, Cinder. UK, Activision/ Free. Style. Games) • Entry to national games competitions (“Off the Map”, “Make Something Unreal”, “Dare to be Digital”, Aardvark Swift – “Search for a Star” ). • Course trips to games companies and national gaming events (Euro. Gamer, Games. City). • A member of BUGS (Business and University Games Syndicate). • Recognized as an “Unreal Academia”.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Examples of work completed by Year 1 Computer Games Development students.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Examples of work completed by Year 1 Games Art students.

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology

V 12/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology

16/10/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology • Martyn Simmons – Course Leader, Bsc Computer Games Development, BA Games Art • Martyn. simmons@northampton. ac. uk • Shane Mitchell – Senior Lecturer, BA Games Art • Shane. mitchell@northampton. ac. uk

16/10/12 Games Development at Uo. N School of the Arts & School of Science & Technology Written and presented by the Games Development Team