KV6020 - Games Programming 3

You will learn through lectures, workshops, and directed and independent learning. The lectures will cover theories and concepts that will enable you to tackle guided exercises and to use exploratory programming to embed those theories and concepts. You will work on these during workshops and hands-on sessions in Northumbria’s CIS building computer labs, which are fully equipped with the latest industry-standard software.

You will be supported by lecturers during the timetabled sessions when you will receive feedback on your work. The University’s eLearning Portal offers remote access to all lecture and seminar materials to reinforce your learning. In addition, the university library offers support for all students through providing electronic resources

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1. Demonstrate critical understanding and detailed knowledge of, concepts, principles, theories, techniques and technologies related to advanced and current games programming topics.
MLO2. Demonstrate a deep and extended knowledge and understanding of techniques and tools for the design and implementation of advanced and current games programming topics
MLO3. Demonstrate a wide and critical understanding of user, professional, ethical and social issues surrounding the design, development, and operation of computer games.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
ML04 – Demonstrate critical computational thinking in the design, and creation of novel and innovative games computing applications, using a software engineering approach, and
selecting and applying effective computational methods, theories, models, tools and algorithms for their solution.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

MLO5. Demonstrate independent research and enquiry skills to direct your learning, making use of scholarly search methods and tools.

The single element of summative assessment (100%) will be a final assignment of three parts.
• Two “proof of concept” demonstration applications, one for each of the chosen programming topics
• A critical review of research literature on a societal issue in the games industry (word limit 1000 words)

This assessment addresses all of the Module Learning Outcomes

On an on-going basis you will also receive formative feedback on exercises you are required to complete, and practical programming work in the workshop sessions

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This module explores current advanced topics in games programming and development, based on current research in these topics, through teaching, directed, and independent learning. Example topics*: AI pathfinding, advanced shaders, procedural generation, network programming. You will create two “proof of concept” applications using algorithms and techniques learned, which will be usable in your personal portfolio (thereby enhancing employability), to demonstrate competence to prospective employers. You will also engage with current research into societal issues facing the games industry, and write a critical review of that research.

Individual feedback will be given on the summative assessment, and during the programming practical sessions.

*topics will be chosen on a year-on-year basis to reflect the current needs of the games industry.