BSc (Hons)

Games Design

Teaching & Learning

The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study – the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.

What you'll learn

Study the key principles and techniques used to create engaging stories and game products. This module will help you to begin building your skills in the 'rules' of game design to be able to create functional games. You'll learn how to produce interesting stories through interactive design and an emotion centric approach. You'll draw from your own unique past experiences and interests and use these as inspiration during the game design process.
This module will introduce you to 3D modelling, texturing and level design techniques associated with video game development. You'll be introduced to all aspects of asset creation, including environment and prop design and how these fit into the game environment as a whole.
Study the key programming concepts associated with designing and developing for games. This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of programming and software systems development. You'll understand the importance of prototyping systems, evaluation and testing in relation to the development lifecycle of system application. Additionally, you'll apply an integrated approach to software development in a middleware game engine.
Build on the skills developed during Game Development 1 as you discover intermediate programming concepts and asset / media pipelining required in integrated game product development. You'll learn programming methodologies and develop techniques to produce a game product or artefact to a set brief.
Study the key principles and techniques used to create engaging stories and game products. This module will help you to begin building your skills in the 'rules' of game design to be able to create functional games. You'll learn how to produce interesting stories through interactive design and an emotion centric approach. You'll draw from your own unique past experiences and interests and use these as inspiration during the game design process.
This module will introduce you to 3D modelling, texturing and level design techniques associated with video game development. You'll be introduced to all aspects of asset creation, including environment and prop design and how these fit into the game environment as a whole.
Study the key programming concepts associated with designing and developing for games. This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of programming and software systems development. You'll understand the importance of prototyping systems, evaluation and testing in relation to the development lifecycle of system application. Additionally, you'll apply an integrated approach to software development in a middleware game engine.
Build on the skills developed during Game Development 1 as you discover intermediate programming concepts and asset / media pipelining required in integrated game product development. You'll learn programming methodologies and develop techniques to produce a game product or artefact to a set brief.

What you'll learn

Study advanced topics in game development. These topics will directly relate to the systems used within game design. They will provide you with a toolbox approach when solving complex design issues. These systems will then be built upon and expanded to offer further nuanced approaches as you develop your skillset.
This module will introduce the key principles and tools for creating character, environment animation and VFX, post-processing, within games. You'll focus on several content creation workflows and produce animations / VFX that are applicable within real time, interactive game environments.
This module will provide a conceptual and critical overview of the social, cultural and technological impact of games. You'll analyse the various aspects of 'game' & 'play' embedded within game cultures and associated technologies and media. In addition, you'll evaluate key developments in the design of games and their role within popular culture.
Learn how to create high quality 3D environments, using various games engines, to enhance your video game designs. You'll explore level design fundamentals, modelling and texturing techniques and world building supported by real-world reference and research.
Develop your skills and competence in visual communication. This module will teach you how to research, iterate and develop ideas in game art and design. You'll take part in a range of drawing, observation and compositional exercises, creating a body of visual research and investigation. Your work will result in a portfolio of work in an area of specialism. This could include 2D/3D character art, 2D/3D asset creation, game/level design, 2D/3D creature art, concept art, 2D/3D interiors and exteriors, environment art or vehicle design.
Work as part of a team to design, develop a game or prototype experience. You'll adopt professional working practices at an individual and team level and develop your research, design, evaluation and presentation skills. You'll emulate what it would be like to work as part of a game design team, following the entire pipeline of the game design production cycle, from inception to finished product.
Study advanced topics in game development. These topics will directly relate to the systems used within game design. They will provide you with a toolbox approach when solving complex design issues. These systems will then be built upon and expanded to offer further nuanced approaches as you develop your skillset.
This module will introduce the key principles and tools for creating character, environment animation and VFX, post-processing, within games. You'll focus on several content creation workflows and produce animations / VFX that are applicable within real time, interactive game environments.
This module will provide a conceptual and critical overview of the social, cultural and technological impact of games. You'll analyse the various aspects of 'game' & 'play' embedded within game cultures and associated technologies and media. In addition, you'll evaluate key developments in the design of games and their role within popular culture.
Learn how to create high quality 3D environments, using various games engines, to enhance your video game designs. You'll explore level design fundamentals, modelling and texturing techniques and world building supported by real-world reference and research.
Develop your skills and competence in visual communication. This module will teach you how to research, iterate and develop ideas in game art and design. You'll take part in a range of drawing, observation and compositional exercises, creating a body of visual research and investigation. Your work will result in a portfolio of work in an area of specialism. This could include 2D/3D character art, 2D/3D asset creation, game/level design, 2D/3D creature art, concept art, 2D/3D interiors and exteriors, environment art or vehicle design.
Work as part of a team to design, develop a game or prototype experience. You'll adopt professional working practices at an individual and team level and develop your research, design, evaluation and presentation skills. You'll emulate what it would be like to work as part of a game design team, following the entire pipeline of the game design production cycle, from inception to finished product.

What you'll learn

This module will provide the opportunity to develop a product as a design team, ideally for an external client. You'll research, generate ideas, design, create, implement and evaluate your product, reflecting on your own performance throughout the process. You'll follow the given game design development process and develop mechanics based on player and tutor feedback.
Evaluate your own work, and the work of the broader creative community. This module will enable you to undertake rigorous research around an area of the games art and design industry. Your research should be driven by an area of industry that interests you and your career aspirations. You'll critically reflect upon your own practice, that of your peers and the creative practice as a whole.
Investigate the challenges faced by the games industry and that around it. You'll study the development of new and exciting products in a world where markets, delivery methods, technology and design solutions are constantly evolving.
This module will provide the opportunity to develop a product as a design team, ideally for an external client. You'll research, generate ideas, design, create, implement and evaluate your product, reflecting on your own performance throughout the process. You'll follow the given game design development process and develop mechanics based on player and tutor feedback.
Evaluate your own work, and the work of the broader creative community. This module will enable you to undertake rigorous research around an area of the games art and design industry. Your research should be driven by an area of industry that interests you and your career aspirations. You'll critically reflect upon your own practice, that of your peers and the creative practice as a whole.
Investigate the challenges faced by the games industry and that around it. You'll study the development of new and exciting products in a world where markets, delivery methods, technology and design solutions are constantly evolving.

Option modules may include

Learn about the characteristics of game mechanics that promote learning, engagement and retention through positive design, as well as aspects of behavioural game design. You'll work to a client brief to produce the concept and prototype 'electronic proof of concept' for a commercial applied innovative game project.
This module will introduce you to developing for specialist gaming platforms and image visualisation technologies. You'll learn and apply programming methodologies associated with advanced feature development within middleware game engines, visualisation and integrated/embedded systems.
Study the key principles and tools for creating high quality 3D assets, character and environments suitable for applications such as marketing, portfolios, game engines and visualisations. You'll focus on different modelling, shading, rendering, and lighting techniques to create realistic 3D visuals for a professional portfolio of digital images.
Learn about the characteristics of game mechanics that promote learning, engagement and retention through positive design, as well as aspects of behavioural game design. You'll work to a client brief to produce the concept and prototype 'electronic proof of concept' for a commercial applied innovative game project.
This module will introduce you to developing for specialist gaming platforms and image visualisation technologies. You'll learn and apply programming methodologies associated with advanced feature development within middleware game engines, visualisation and integrated/embedded systems.
Study the key principles and tools for creating high quality 3D assets, character and environments suitable for applications such as marketing, portfolios, game engines and visualisations. You'll focus on different modelling, shading, rendering, and lighting techniques to create realistic 3D visuals for a professional portfolio of digital images.

This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.

Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.