Welcome to your Computer Games Design with Animation course

Hello and welcome! We are really excited to welcome you to your new Computer Games Design with Animation Course! You are beginning your journey to master areas such as games design, animation of game assets, game cinematics, and hard-surface modelling! Soon you will be able to create your own games and assets, and begin your career within the games industry.

Course delivery

In the Games Development Department, the academic year is comprised of 3-blocks of learning. Each block is 9-weeks long. You can expect to be scheduled for 12-hours of contact throughout the week.

You will study two modules at the same time, with each module being timetabled 6 hours of contact per-module, per-week. You will study 6 modules over the year.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and development practical sessions. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 15-40 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your academic mentor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory, or regulatory bodies.

Your course will provide you with opportunities to engage with formative feedback and engagement activities to help us to gauge your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments.

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, practical portfolio work, development logbooks, written reports, presentations, and independent supervised projects. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark, and at later levels, ultimately to your degree classification.

You’ll often be given independent learning tasks (homework) that are designed to consolidate your learning and give you opportunities to complete tutorials or practice what you’ve learnt from your scheduled sessions. This is what we refer to as “self-managed study time”.

Semester one activities

For first year students, you will explore the following:

Introduction to Games Design - In this module you will take your first look at an industry-standard game engine and learn to create gameplay via visual scripting. You will also learn game design techniques and tools to help you to create game design documentation for your projects.

Introduction to Asset Creation - In this module you will create your first 3D game-ready assets for your games.

Mechanics Prototyping – In this module, you will continue to develop your game engine skills and design and implement new, exciting gameplay mechanics.

3D Game Props: Design and Production – In this module, you will develop further your 3D asset skills, and learn about the pipelines required to take a 3D asset into a game engine.

Introduction to Games Animation – In this module, you take your first look at creating animated assets to be used within a game.

Project Management For Designers – In this module, you will work on an individual project, utilising the game engine and 3D asset creation skills learned from the other modules so far.

Pre-learning

Download and Install Unreal Engine 5:

https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/download

To get you started, it is recommended you take a look at the official Epic Unreal Engine 5 beginner tutorials:

Games - Getting Started | Epic Developer Community (epicgames.com)

You will also be creating 3D assets as part of your learning. To assist with this, visit Autodesk’s 3ds Max Learning Channel:

Autodesk 3ds Max Learning Channel - YouTube

Equipment and software

Much of the software you’ll be using is free or discounted to students with a valid University e-mail address, including Autodesk, and Microsoft Office. We’ll be using the following software on all of our awards:

  • Autodesk Suite (Including: 3ds Max, Maya, Motionbuilder - this can downloaded for free with a student email address from Autodesk)
  • Adobe Photoshop, Premiere & After Effects
  • Microsoft Office
  • Unreal Engine
  • Unity
  • Pixologic Z-Brush
  • 3D Coat
  • Substance Painter
  • Quixel Suite

The above packages are available in our labs but if you wish to have access to them on your own PC the recommended specification is below.

Suggested Hardware specs:

  • Minimum 8GB RAM, recommended 16 GB RAM
  • Minimum i5 Intel CPU, recommended i7 Intel CPU
  • Minimum NVidia GTX 970/ 2080, recommended for UE5 projects / Ray Tracing
  • Minimum 1 TB HDD , recommended SSD for loading game projects

You can download wide range of software from the University free of charge once you have enrolled.

Download software

Academic skills

Whether you're joining us from school or college, or you're returning to education after some time away, everyone can benefit from the Academic Study Skills resources provided by the University library.

The Academic Skills team is here to support you throughout your academic journey and to help you gain the skills you need to reach your full potential. They can assist with academic reading and writing skills, give advice on how best to plan assignments, and help improve your time management.

The library's Academic Skills Guides offer the key information to make studying easier and give a comprehensive guide to the learning resources and services we offer.

Staffs CampusConnect

Staffs CampusConnect is our student-led community app for new students. Connect with other people from your course, hometown or country, and even those with similar interests.

To register, please ensure you use your Applicant ID (Student Number) that you received in your offer letter, and the email address you used in your application to us.

Register for CampusConnect

Welcome website

Our welcome website will provide you the link to your new student life. It's all about how you find your place at university, including everything from how to meet friends, feel confident in doing your academic work, being a member of your Student Union and getting involved in Union Societies, Academic Societies, Sports, Volunteering or representing your peers in your School.

Part of this Welcome Week - we have an exciting program of University and course level activities planned for you for your first week in September. We are also building an extended program for you to join a series of events throughout the first half of the autumn term. Further details will be shared with you via the Welcome website and Students' Union pages over the coming weeks.

Welcome website

Campus map

Use our campus map to familiarise yourself with our campus before you arrive.

Campus map (PDF)

Check your email

Please make sure you check your personal email account regularly over the next few weeks. We will be sending you lots of information about Welcome Week.

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