Welcome to your Computer Games Programming course

In Games, 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. This is usually timetabled over 3-days.

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 per year.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and development practical. 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 modules 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 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. Assignments are broken up into milestones throughout the Teaching Blocks

During your first few weeks with us we will be starting the basics of C++ programming and the fundamentals of computing alongside the development of an in-depth understanding of the academic skills required during university, and an appreciation of the skills preparation required for the games industry.

You will be studying the following modules during the first teaching block:

• Programming Fundamentals – A module which introduces the core practises of programming in C++, you will explore a range of programming techniques in isolation before combing these to make a small, text-based game.
• Computational Methods – A module where you will be presented with a range of computational problems which you will learn solve using both algorithmic and programming techniques. The solutions will come in a variety of forms, ranging from pseudo code, spreadsheeting, and programmed elements.

In Term 2, you will be studying these modules:

• C# Scripting for Games – A module which introduces the Unity Games engine and programming / scripting in C#.

• Mechanics Prototyping – A module which introduces Unreal Engine’s visual scripting language Blueprint for creating exciting new gameplay mechanics.

In the final term, you will study the following modules:

• Introduction to Graphics Programming – A module which introduces the programming techniques of rendering 2D and 3D graphics.

• Bespoke Platform Development – A module where you will create a retro styled game using an SDL2 framework which will be deployed to an Evercade Games System

Before you arrive, we advise signing up to these resources and installing key software including Unreal Engine 5.4, Unity 6 and Visual Studio 2022. Here are a few key things to do:

• Create an Account on the Unity website (www.unity.com): Create a free student account, this can be used to login to Unity’s Learn Platform (https://learn.unity.com/)

• Create an Unreal Engine Account (www.unrealengine.com): Create a free account, this can then be used to login to the Unreal Learn (https://learn.unrealengine.com/) site which has a plethora of tutorial videos for all levels of Unreal Engine users from beginners to experienced user.
• Sign up to Github: Once you have your University Student email details, you can sign up to the student package on the Github website: (https://education.github.com/)
• Download and Install Visual Studio 2022 (https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/community/): Visit the Visual Studio website and download the installer. Make sure you choose to install all of the various C++ and games related elements of Visual Studio during the install process. 

There are also some fantastic industry websites which are worth bookmaking:

• https://ukie.org.uk/

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/

• https://gamerepublic.net/  
• https://www.therookies.co/  

We would also recommend subscribing to the following YouTube Channels

• https://www.youtube.com/c/Gdconf/videos  

• https://www.youtube.com/c/UnrealEngine/videos  
• https://www.youtube.com/user/Unity3D

We also advise students to take a look at SoloLearn to start to develop a basic understanding of C++: https://www.sololearn.com/

During your first few weeks with us we will be starting the basics of C# programming and the fundamentals of computing alongside the development of an in-depth understanding of the academic skills required during university, and an appreciation of the skills preparation required for the games industry.

You will be studying the following modules during the first teaching block:

• Introduction to Games Scholarship – A module that introduces you to the wider games industry and encourages you to develop your studentship and academic skills as you adjust to life at university.
• Programming Foundations – A module which introduces the core practises of programming and computing by introducing you to C#, providing a hands-on practical experience of games programming!

In term 2, you will be studying these modules:

• Games Design Foundations – A module which introduces the process of games design and creations, focusing on designing great gameplay experiences in the form of level and game mechanics.
• Games Engine Foundations – A module which introduces games development using games engines. Building on top of existing frameworks you will explore the foundations of level creation and visual scripting in Unreal Engine.

In the final term, you will study one module:

• Introduction to Collaborative Enterprise – A modules which will challenge you to capitalise on your skills and individual creativity while working with a mixed disciplinary team of games developers.

It will be useful to also have a look at the following:

• Break Into the Game Industry: How to Get a Job Making Video Games, Ernest Adams, 2003
• Video Games: An Introduction to the Industry (Creative Careers), Blossom and Funning, 2015
• The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action, Schon, Routledge, 1991
• C# Programming for Absolute Beginners, Radek Vystavěl, 2017
• Begin to Code with C#, Rob Miles, 2016

We also recommend the introduction to C# tutorials. These lessons start with interactive code that you can run in your browser. You can learn the basics of C# from the C# 101 video series.

• Introduction to C# - interactive tutorials | Microsoft Docs

Another great resource you will experience on our courses is LinkedIn Learning. This provides video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills.

• LinkedIn Learning: Online Courses for Creative, Technology, Business Skills

Learn by following examples on W3Schools and test your knowledge with their quizzes.

• C# Tutorial (C Sharp) (w3schools.com)

Software

We will be using the following on the course:

• Visual Studio 2022

• Microsoft Office 

• Unity 6
• Unreal Engine 5.4

Much of the software you’ll be using is free or discounted to students with a valid University e-mail address. 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. 

You can browse some of the software we provide here - https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

Hardware

Suggested Hardware specs:

• Minimum 8GB RAM, recommended 16 GB RAM 

• Minimum i5 9600k or Ryzen 5 3600x, recommended i9 11900k or Ryzen 9 5900x equivalent

• Minimum Nvidia GTX1080 or AMD RX 5700xt, recommended Nvidia RTX 3070 super or AMD RX 6700xt

• Minimum 1 TB HDD and recommended additional 512 GB SSD or NVMe for OS / Key Software

Borrowing Equipment from the Henrion Media Stores

We also have a dedicated Media Stores located in the Henrion building where you will be able to access all the specialist equipment and training you will need during your studies.

Jam packed with all the latest tech including HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Microsoft Hololens, DSLR cameras, Tablets, Phones and lots more.

Download software

The student's union has a lot of groups that you, as a games and visual effects student may be interested in:

• The Game Development Society (https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/gamedevsoc/)
• Staffs Smash (https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/staffssmash/)
• Myth Society (https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/myth/)
• Digital Art Society (https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/cas/)

There is also an awesome, student run online community on Discord. https://discord.gg/BspEnc4