Game Development (Design) MA
Why choose this course?
This course focuses on the design skills necessary for the field of game development. You will create and develop computer games both alone and as part of a team. Excellent facilities include Sony PlayStation 5 developer kits and software such as Unity Pro, Unreal Engine 5 and Maya. You will also have access to our new Centre for Virtual and Augmented Reality. There is regular input from industry practitioners, particularly through the games inKUbator, and the chance to participate in Game Jams and Hackathons. With a professional presence, portfolio and a range of skills, you will be ready to impress potential employers.
- This course has been developed in consultation with our industry panel, and we are an educational partner of Sony Interactive Entertainment through PlayStation First. We are also an active member of TIGA, the games industry's representative body.
- This course has been designed to use the best digital media expertise and resources from across the University. It will prepare you for employment in the digital media industry, where teams of specialists work together to develop and author innovative digital media projects.
| Mode | Duration | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year |
September 2023 January 2024 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement |
September 2023 January 2024 |
| Part time | 2 years |
September 2023 January 2024 |
| Full time | 1 year | September 2024 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | September 2024 |
| Part time | 2 years | September 2024 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- Kingston University is an active member of The Independent Game Developers' Association (TIGA) and has been developed in consultation with industry.
- Kingston is an educational partner of Sony Interactive Entertainment through PlayStation First. You will learn to develop games for PlayStation 5.
- You will use first-class facilities, such as gaming PCs, development consoles and VR and AR kit.
Sony PlayStation First
Kingston University is an educational partner of Sony through PlayStation First. Through this partnership you will have the opportunity to learn how to develop games for the PlayStation 5 as part of this course.
What you will study
You will design and create computer games, alone and in teams, using industry-standard production management tools and techniques that stimulate a professional environment of collaboration to deliver a product on time. You will also develop vertical-slice prototypes using new technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, and will learn how to present yourself to potential employers through your professional presence and portfolio.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Core modules
Optional modules
Modules
Digital Studio Practice
30 credits
You will work with a multidisciplinary group of students as appropriate for your course (User Experience Design MSc, Game Development (Design) MA, Game Development (Programming) MSc and Computer Animation MA); involved with the digital media production process in response to a project brief developed in consultation with the industry panel and/or research staff. Projects concern contemporary platforms, such as iPhone, Android, Windows, Playstation, Xbox and Next Generation controllers and innovative input devices. You also develop a professional profile (online CV/portfolio) fitting for your role and intended destination which you maintain throughout the course.
- Coursework: report, prototype, and presentation (group and individual)
- Schedule: allow one weekday per week in the first semester
- Staff: course staff
Connected Games Development
30 credits
The module covers the process of creating multiplayer computer games using various technologies and designing approaches. This module provides guided teaching and practical sessions on topics related to connected games programming, design and portfolio development.
The aims of this module are:
- To enable students to solidify, develop, and design connected games of their selected genres aiming also to consolidate their portfolio.
- To develop problem-solving abilities in the relevant programming and designing techniques which underpin this.
- To help students develop a confident and extensive understanding of connected games under their own genre specialism.
Game Design
30 credits
This module deals with the game design principles such as narratology versus ludology; interactive fictions; understanding play and engagement; level design and game flow; motivation, jeopardy and reward; to present ideas verbally, on paper and in technical demos, in a range of 2D and 3D graphics and animation packages, with some programming skills at scripting level.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Develop and carry out effective and appropriate research and testing methodologies in relation to practice.
- Apply game theory to practice in such a way as to confidently inform design decision-making processes.
- Use new and existing technologies to enhance the communication of design processes and resolutions.
- Identify, analyse and critically reflect on game design practices and processes in such a way as to enable the evaluation of career opportunities and individual direction within the gaming industries globally.
Digital Media Final Project
60 credits
The Digital Media Final Project, as a capstone project, consolidates the knowledge gained in earlier modules and is informed and supported by prior learning.
You will interpret the coursework into a practical solution and demonstrate skills in defining, analysing and developing a substantial solution to an individually defined design related problem. You will utilise an advanced understanding of contemporary digital media practice. The research and documentation of the project is an integral part of the submission; reflecting on the process, as well as the critical analysis and methodology of the research itself. The research will be conceptually integrated within the practical work. Individual project topics are expected to be wide ranging and provide the opportunity to fully investigate a practical situation, underpinned by a critical report on the work produced. Topics must allow the opportunity to position work with respect to business, social and cultural goals and identify and apply appropriate technology as a means of delivery.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Critically apply theoretical knowledge of design and evaluate contemporary discourse on the subject.
- Demonstrate the application of design research methods in formulating concepts and ideas.
- Originate design propositions through the application of appropriate design ideologies, research principles, methods, materials and technology, forms, means, actions or interventions.
- Engage in the critical reflection of own work and in peer review related to the development and production of the major project, employing skills of evaluation, contextualisation and communication.
- Disseminate the research process and outcomes of the final project with appropriate currency and consideration of audience.
Modules
User Experience Design (Content)
30 credits
This module focuses upon user research, participatory design and prototyping for new interaction concepts, particularly those for multi-user or multi-modal interaction with media-rich information sources for personal and ubiquitous computing platforms. The emphasis is upon qualitative insight and creativity for user engagement and persuasion across the end-to-end user journey, particularly in mobile contexts.
- Coursework: design report, prototype, presentation
- Schedule: allow approximately one day a week in the second semester
Character Animation for Film and Games
30 credits
This module is core to the MA Computer Animation programme. Students will have prior competency in animation concepts, or have relevant experience, and so this module will allow them to develop their 3D animation skills further in creating dynamic and appealing animation for application in both film/TV and games production. Fundamentals and theory, such as the 12 Principles of Animation and study of reference, will underpin the development of a portfolio featuring body mechanics and character performance animation. Students will also learn basic techniques in rigging, such as parenting, constraints, IK solvers, utility nodes, set-driven keys, etc. in order to animate models.
On completion of the module students will have the ability to animate assets for different applications (film, television, computer games).
This is a practical module where the majority of a students' time is spent working with 3D software. Similarly, the assessment is practically based.
Professional Placement
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment and develops and enhances key employability and subject specific skills in their chosen discipline. Students may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for the major project or future career.
It is the responsibility of individual students to find and secure a suitable placement opportunity. This should not normally involve more than two placements which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the Course Leader, prior to commencement to ensure its suitability. Students seeking placements will have access to the standard placement preparation activities offered by Student Engagement and Enhancement (SEE) group.
Read more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Work placement scheme
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. You may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare and apply yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this course?
About Digital Media Kingston
This course is delivered by Digital Media Kingston. Digital Media Kingston (DMK) is an interdisciplinary, collaborative project between the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, and School of Design at Kingston University. Its mission is to bring together creative expression, theoretical analysis, scientific rigour and technological innovation to underpin innovation and excellence in the computational arts. The teaching element of the DMK project delivers a suite of four related courses: Computer Animation MA, Games Development (Design) MA, User Experience Design MSc, and Games Development (Programming) MSc. You will share the majority of your taught modules with students taking these digital media courses.
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
Facilities
Here is the range of facilities available to you as a student at Kingston that will help you during your course.
Other facilities
There is a wide range of other facilities at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment including:
Facilities
Fees for this course
Additional costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
Student work
Watch a compilation of demos featuring work created by our students during their time with InKUbator – the Kingston University games development studio.
Watch a clip from Hive Wars, created by students during their course.
What this course offers you
Game Development (Design) MA is part of the Digital Media Kingston suite of courses providing students with a unique mixture of creative and technical skills.
Students will have access to first-class technical facilities such as our Games Lab, with state-of-the-art computers, moving image studios, 3D workshops and other specialist resources. These include a number of Sony PlayStation 4 developer kits. In addition other software is available including Unity Pro, Unreal and Maya. Students also have access to our new Centre for Virtual and Augmented Reality (CAVE).
This industry-facing course aims to hone your workplace skills including:
- team-work;
- time management;
- communication (oral, written and electronic);
- data collection, review and synopsis; and
- computing.
Input from industry practitioners and experts will add a valuable dimension to your studies, particularly though the games inKUbator which features regular industry speakers. There is also the opportunity to participate in Game Jams and Hackathons.
How we work with industry partners
Digital Media Kingston courses have been developed in consultation with an industry advisory board, which so far includes members of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, DreamWorks, the BFi, Alloy, The Other Media, Sunrise Software, Abelton Live, Tonic, Active Ingredient.
The course content for the Game Development (Design) MA has been developed in consultation with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, and we have an academic agreement with them that allows students to develop for Sony PlayStation Portable. Together with them, we are also planning a 'buddy' scheme for students in production where a member of SCEE production staff can offer support and guidance to students in their final projects.
Some work placements, live projects and other opportunities will be available at the discretion of the industry panel for students on this course.
After you graduate
You will be well suited for roles such as games designer, games programmer, indy developer, AI programmer, software engineer and user experience designer.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
