Computer Games Programming

Teesside University

United Kingdom, Middlesbrough

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Teesside University

United Kingdom , Middlesbrough

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2024

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 2 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 15,000 / year

Next Intake January-2024

Computer Games Programming

About

Computer games facilities

See the facilities you use when you study computer games at Teesside University

Computer games programming has been taught at Teesside for many years, and the course is respected industry wide. This masters programme builds on these foundations and provides a research-focused framework, enabling you to explore the more advanced areas of the subject.

As well as being prepared to enter the games industry, you gain skills relevant to many other sectors including simulation, artificial intelligence, and the wider software engineering industry. You can also further your academic career through a PhD and other research-related activities. There are three routes you can choose from:

full-time - 2 years with advanced practice (September and January start)
full-time - 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start)
part-time - 2 years.

You gain the skills and knowledge to develop high-performance systems, contribute to the development of new computing algorithms and become part of the many research areas that this subject links to. Games programming is a specialisation of computer science and involves the same research-led study of computational theory and the design of software .

Core modules

Advanced Game Prototyping

You build upon fundamental concepts involved in the creation of a game prototype as part of a small team.

You examine the contrast between the creation of a strong core mechanic, which is immediately tactile, and how it can be expanded upon through player learning, subtractive design and variety to provide longevity. Ultimately providing an accessible, engaging and substantial gameplay experience informed by playtesting.

You enhance your skills both inside and outside of a contemporary game engine. Inspired by the structure of relevant titles, you are encouraged to rigorously plan tasks from a macro and micro perspective prior to development.

AI for Games

Integrating AI into game engines can be difficult due to the fact that game engines typically do not use symbolic or declarative representations of characters, settings, or actions.

You cover the wide variety of software technologies applied to the integration of AI techniques within the context of industry-standard game engines, as well as forthcoming technologies developed within AI-based research (interactive storytelling systems). You explore the design and implementation of AI-based systems applied to the wide variety of game engines technologies and applications, including multi-platform specifics, desktop-based and immersive virtual reality systems, as well as web-based and mobile gaming platforms.

You gain experience of working as a member of a games development technical team mapping to industrial practise. It enables you to critically evaluate development methods and apply them within your teams based on existing industry practice.

AI Planning

AI planning is a key enabling technology in interactive entertainment, which covers topics from path planning to generating intelligent behaviours for virtual agents, whether individual or collective behaviours, for example dealing with co-operation and co-ordination of virtual agents.

You gain a thorough grounding in current research trends in AI planning. These include current advances in plan generation, planning in uncertain domains, knowledge engineering for planning, and representation languages against the various applications to interactive entertainment, supported by examples from current computer games.

Game Group Project

You explore the prototyping aspects of computer games development within a contemporary game engine, focusing on the principles of design and programming. You look at different ways of creating, designing and developing interactive content specific to modern gaming platforms. Working in small teams, you develop a real game from concept through to fully demonstrable prototype.

Master's Project

You gain the requisite skills needed to analyse, conduct and assess qualitative research within the applied psychology setting. You also gain an understanding of key theoretical approaches in designing qualitative research projects as well as practical experience in collecting and analysing qualitative data. You develop your knowledge and skills in using advanced qualitative research designs, specifically in qualitative research design and methods applicable to applied psychology at MSc level. You explore the relationship between theory and practice of interpretative approaches in psychological research, and explore different modes of investigation and analysis employed within these interpretative approaches.

Indicative content:

Theoretical approaches in qualitative research: phenomenological, ethnographic, social constructionist, discursive and narrative approaches
Sampling in qualitative research
Interview design and constructing the data corpus
Analysis of textual and visual data including Grounded Theory; Interpretative Phenomenological analysis; Narrative inquiry; Semiotics; Discursive Psychology; Conversation analysis; Critical discourse analysis & affective textual analysis
Trustworthiness and credibility

The assessment for this module is a 5,000 word qualitative research bid including feasibility study and data analysis (ECA, 100%).

Real-Time Graphics

You extend your understanding and abilities in graphics programming to include efficient high-speed rendering of high-quality imagery. Emphasis is on the rendering of 3D virtual environments. It is useful for anyone interested in creating interactive, high-quality graphical applications such as computer games.

You learn how to research and select appropriate algorithms and techniques to solve a problem and then construct an implementation using C++, a graphics library such as OpenGL or Direct3D, and a shading language such as GLSL or HLSL.

Advanced practice (2 year full-time MSc only)

Internship

The internship options are:

Vocational: spend one semester working full-time in industry or on placement in the University. We have close links with a range of national and international companies who could offer you the chance to develop your knowledge and professional skills in the workplace through an internship. Although we cannot guarantee internships, we will provide you with practical support and advice on how to find and secure your own internship position. A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge.

Research: develop your research and academic skills by undertaking a research internship within the University. Experience working as part of a research team in an academic setting. Ideal for those who are interested in a career in research or academia.

Modules offered may vary.

How you learn

Lectures are used to introduce and develop material, addressing research issues and recent developments.

Subjects are explored in-depth through tutor-led seminars, practical workshops, individual or group research and contribution to discussion.

Practical work includes case studies from real scenarios and the development of significant computer applications.

Directed self-study and research develop your critical evaluation skills.

Development of transferable skills, self-managed learning and professional development are core themes throughout the programme.

How you are assessed

You are assessed on your subject-specific knowledge, cognitive and intellectual skills, and transferable skills applicable to the workplace. The assessments include assignments, tests, case studies, presentations, research proposal and literature review, and the production of a dissertation. The assessments may include individual or group essays or reports. The assessment criteria, where appropriate, includes assessment of presentation skills and report writing.

Disciplines

Computer Games

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A bachelor degree with a minimum of 65%, 2.5/4.0 or good

Career

This course enables you to develop core transferable skills, knowledge and behaviours required to effectively lead and manage within computing sector.

We also offer start-up business support to help you develop your own business in games through our innovative Power UP Indie Games Accelerator.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 15,000

How to Apply

Applying Online - Information Required to Complete Your Application

Personal Details

- Full Name, including title
- Sex
- Date of Birth
- E-mail Address
- Telephone Number
- Home and Correspondence addresses, including postcode
- Alternative email Addresses
- Country of Permanent Residence or Local Authority
- Country of Birth
- Nationality
- Ethnicity - this data will not be accessible to those making the application decision
- Type of applicant - choose from UK/EU or Overseas
- Who is entering the application - choose from Applicant, University Staff/Overseas Office or Other Third Party
- Disability
- Whether your parents/guardians have Higher Education qualifications
- Details of any previous study or application to this University

Payment of Fees

- Who is paying your fees
- Name and address of your Fee Payer
- Details of any previous funding body and previous course

Overseas Applicants Only

- Date of entry to UK/EU
- Passport Number (if you need a visa)
- Previous UK study, including details of any previous visas, overstays in the UK and visa refusals

University Staff and Office/Agent Applications Only

- School/Office Code
- Agent Code
- Agent Name
- Agent Company
- Reference Number

Qualifications

Qualifications Held (maximum of 6)
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

- Year and month awarded
- Qualification type, level and subject
- Grade
- Awarding Establishment e.g. College/University Name

Qualifications Pending (maximum of 6)
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

- Year and month of exam
- Qualification type, level and subject
- Date grade expected
- Awarding Establishment e.g. College/University Name

Highest qualification

Portfolio Details

Foreign Language Courses Only

- Qualifications and experience in chosen language
- where more than one occurence of a courses runs in paralell, indicate which group you wish to join

Professional Qualifications

- Professional/Statutory Body and Registration PIN
- Other course specific professional details as required

School of Health & Social Care courses only

- NHS PIN
- NHS Trust / Practice details
- National Insurance Number
- Assignment/Employee Number
- Line manager name and email address
- Full or part time
- Pay band
- Profession, Staff Group and Job Role
- Other course specific details as required

Social Work Practice Education courses only

- Social Work Registration Number

Erasmus Applications

Details of the Exchange Co-ordinator at Your Home Institution
- Name
- Position
- Email Address

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

- Unique Learner Number
- National Insurance Number
- *Employer Code
- *Employer Postcode (This is your normal place of work which may be different from the company's main postcode)
- *Number of employees at this postcode
- Highest level qualifications in English language and mathematics

*Your employer should be able to supply this information

Last Two Education Establishments Attended
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

- Name and address
- Dates from and to
- Full or Part time
- Level of study

English Language Ability
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

Whether English is your first language

If not

- IELTS - score, date of exam and Test Report Form Number
- Other test - name, score and date of exam

Work Experience (maximum of 2)
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, a reduced set of employment information is requested)

- Employers name
- Job title
- Dates from and to
- Full or Part time
- Main responsibilities

Summer & Winter University Courses Only

- Whether you are enrolled or due to enrol on a college or university course
- If so, where and which course
- Whether you are thinking of starting a Higher Education course
- If so, area of interest/study
- Reason for applying to Summer/Winter University

Referee
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

- Name
- Address
- Other contact details

Note : some course will require two referees, e.g. PHD courses

Personal Statement
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

Can be uploaded as a document or entered as text

It is suggested that your statement is prepared electronically in advance of starting the application

Enrolment

Some short courses may ask you to provide enrolment information as part of the application. This will require extra details but also means you will not be asked to complete the full on-line registration process at a later date.

This data will not be accessible to those making the application decision

- Type of Term-time Accomodation
- Next of Kin Name
- Next of Kin Telephone Number
- Next of Kin Relationship
- Religious Beliefs
- Criminal Conviction Declaration

Documents currently available for upload
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this option is not available)

- Reference
- Personal Statement
- CV
- Results
- Proof of English Language Qualifications, e.g. IELTS or TOEFL certificate
- Passport
- Previous Visas
- Previous Visa Refusals

For Research courses, the following additional uploads are mandatory

- Research Proposal
- Research Training Document
- Research Personal Statement
- Research Sponsorship/funding letter