BA (Hons) Games Design
Currently reading: Course overview
Course overview
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Starts: Sep 2024
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Duration: 3 years
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Mode: Full time
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UCAS code: I603
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Fees: UK: £9,250 / INT: £17,000
Ideal for: Anyone eager to pursue a career as a games maker, either in the AAA or independent markets.
Design the games of the future.
This multi-disciplinary game making course* will provide you with the fundamental skills to work in this fast-moving industry. You will work with state-of-the-art technologies and production methods to develop key skills in games making. Explore the likes of games mechanics, player psychology and games narratives and have the flexibility choose your own specialism.
*Source: Subject to validation and information is therefore subject to change.
Why study this course?
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Develop key skills in narrative and story telling
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Prepares you for a career as a games maker, either in the AAA or independent markets
- Enables you to contextualise the role design plays in storytelling and game playing
- Specialise within the games design discipline in an area that best suits your unique skillset
- Build a critical language and apply this to games and games design
- Apply and utilise games technologies to respond to changes in the development landscape quickly and confidently.
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Learn skills across three industry specialisms
In this dynamic games design course in London, UK, you will learn core mechanical and narrative skills across three industry specialisms:
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World building and narrative
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Games and level design
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Technical design
You will develop the necessary creative and professional skills to design games pipelines through from concept to production.
In your first year, you will explore the various games design roles within the industry. You will then be given the opportunity to specialise, based on the area that matches your unique skillsets and interests.
A work-based learning module in year two will enhance your industry awareness and enable you to build your network before you even graduate.
You will leave Ravensbourne with an extensive knowledge of games design and the collaborative and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in varied roles within the creative industries.
Key study topics:
- Game engine technologies
- Scripting
- Production methodologies (Scrum, Lean, Waterfall)
- Development cycles
- Concepting and ideation
- Prototyping
- Documentation
- 2D/3D art pipelines
- Character design
- Environment design
- Games culture and studies
- Game design fundamentals
- Team working
The specifics
Frequently asked questions
What is games design?
Game design refers to the process of creating and developing the rules, mechanics, structure, and overall experience of a video game or any interactive gaming product.
The ultimate goal of game design is to craft an engaging and immersive gameplay experience for players.
Some key aspects of game design include:
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Game mechanics: Mechanics determine what actions players can take and how they interact with the game world. For example, jumping, shooting, and collecting items are all game mechanics.
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Level design: This involves designing the layout and environments of the game's levels or stages. Level designers create spaces for players to explore, complete objectives, and face various obstacles to keep the gameplay engaging.
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Storytelling and narrative design: Some games rely on storytelling to immerse players in the game world. Narrative designers create the game's plot, characters, and dialogues, allowing players to connect emotionally with the game's universe.
Lecturers
Career pathways
This course can prepare you for varied careers in a number of different industries and roles.
Facilities
iMac suite at Ravensbourne
iMac suite at Ravensbourne University - ideal for design students and computing students.
Kit Store at Ravensbourne
As a digital student, you'll need access to equipment relevant to your course that will support your learning.
The Kit Store provides a wide range of equipment that students can borrow to complete their projects. Staff can also borrow equipment to deliver their practical sessions.
It houses a wide range of equipment from industry standard manufacturers, including cameras, audio, lighting, and more.
Staff at the Kit Store are trained in various relevant departments and are available to give advice on all the equipment within the store, to help you realise your project.
Materials library
The Ravensbourne materials library is curated by Material ConneXion, a business that introduces brands to the latest material innovations.
The materials scientists at Material ConneXion select innovative materials relevant to the courses at Ravensbourne and that reflect current trends in design and manufacturing.
Samples of these materials are then added to the library so students and staff can browse the physical collection for inspiration, material ideas and applications.
The library hosts 1,500 material samples and an interactive table for further research and access to the Material ConneXion database.
External visitor information
If you wish to come and see the materials library and have a short tour, please contact us to organise.
The materials library can be used by external students registered with the SCONUL access scheme.
Library at Ravensbourne
The Ravensbourne University library has a large collection of print, online and multimedia resources available for staff and students to use.
