Three Year or Four Year (with Foundation) Degree
Our BA (Hons) Computer Games Design Degree offers you the opportunity to develop industry-ready skills as a designer, generating game concepts, designing player-focused levels, and creating advanced game mechanics.
You will experience a studio-like setting during dedicated games studio practice sessions, fostering collaborative efforts, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. This exposure ensures you are familiar with the dynamics of a professional game development studio, enhancing your adaptability in real-world work settings. You will get the opportunity to develop your skills while using softwares such as Unreal Engine 5, Jira and UEFN and Tiga Benchmarking.
During your game design course, you will be exposed to industry-style challenges and national competitions such as “Search for a Star” and “The Rookies” to enhance your preparedness for the professional game development landscape. By facing challenges similar to those encountered in the industry, you will graduate with the confidence and skills necessary to thrive in the competitive field of game design.
Get your Computer Games Design qualifications with our course
Real-world relevance is a cornerstone of the course, with exposure to industry case studies and challenges. This Computer Games Design degree has been designed to The Independent Game Developers Association (TIGA) benchmarking standards, meaning our approach aligns your skills directly with the demands of the game development field. You will gain valuable insights into industry practices, preparing you for the challenges professionals face.
As you progress through your game design classes, you will build a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your skills and completed projects. This portfolio serves as a tangible representation of your growth and capabilities, making you a compelling candidate for potential employers in the game industry.
You will also have the opportunity to explore Metaverse gaming.
AN ASSOCIATE COLLEGE OF:
| KEY INFORMATION | |
| Campus | Aldgate, London |
| Intakes | October, February and June |
| Duration | Three years (or four years with integrated Foundation on Design Pathway) |
| Direct entry | Direct entry is available for Year 2 and Year 3 of this programme |
| Study mode | Full-time, flexible learning - study on campus and online with classes available during the weekday |
| Awarding body | University for the Creative Arts |
| Tuition fees | UK/EU citizens - £9,250 per annum |
| Funding | SFE funding available |
| International / EU Applicants | If you are arriving after the UK has left the EU on January 1st 2021, you will require a visa to study in the UK, in which LCCA will not be able to sponsor you. To find out more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status |
| UCAS INFORMATION | GMS2 |
| Course code | |
| Institution code | L84 |
| Campus code | |
| Apply through UCAS | |
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Our Foundation in Design and Creative Business is dedicated to preparing you for a BA (Hons) Business Management and Entrepreneurship degree. This course focuses on exploring innovation and problem-solving in the context of creative business. Covering key business, management and marketing skills, you will get the opportunity to develop the appropriate skills, knowledge and confidence to successfully progress into Level 4.
In this year you will study four units which are designed to support you to develop your skills and academic practice in the foundation of business management and entrepreneurship with particular focus on academic writing, digital competency, communication, research skills, problem-solving, creative thinking and visual as well as innovative and critical thinking. This year is the foundation to support you to specialise in more specific and advanced areas of business management and entrepreneurship which can be applied to the creative industries.
Year 0
FOUNDATION (YEAR O) DESIGN & CREATIVE BUSINESS
This 30-week course is designed to equip students with the academic skills and subject knowledge needed to progress on to study at undergraduate level. You’ll develop a unique portfolio of work throughout the course, helping you to progress onto a degree in any creative subject.
Stage 1
The first stage covers the key areas of related to your degree programme and will focus on games art and design. It is an introductory exploration into the dynamic and exciting world of computer games. You delve into the history, design principles, and cultural impact of computer games. By doing so, you lay the groundwork for deeper study in game development, design, and analysis. The hands-on component of this unit involves you reverse engineering the core mechanics, rules, and win conditions of a popular computer game. Through this process, you gain practical experience in dissecting and understanding game systems.
Stage 2
This stage builds on the key research, analytical and reflective skills built in Stage 1. Students will also have the opportunity to explore specialist areas of study and focus on your chosen path within the creative arts or business.
Stage 3
Students undertake a self-directed, specialist project which will synthesise and conclude their newly learned knowledge. The Final Major Project consists of three units which include advanced language and study skills needed for progression onto an LCCA design or creative business undergraduate degree.
Modules include:
Year 1 (Level 4)
Games Design Concepts and Visual Storytelling
This unit encompasses various crucial aspects of game development. It delves into core game mechanics, such as rules, goals, challenges, and feedback, while exploring common mechanics like points and levels, using Unreal Engine Fortnite Engine (UEFN) as design and experimentation tool. Additionally, balancing and pacing techniques, emergent gameplay, and strategies for maintaining player interest are discussed and you create new UEFN game islands to develop gameplay and visual experiences. The unit also covers community building, understanding user bases, player motivations, and monetisation. Visual storytelling is a significant focus of this unit, with an in-depth study of visual elements and their impact on player emotions.
Games Studio Practice 1
The Games Studio Practice Units, are where you collaborate to design, create, and test an original game created by you as a member of a multidisciplinary team consisting of a mix of students from both the Computer Games Design and Computer Games Art courses. Games Studio Practice 1 primarily focuses on the planning phase of game development, comprising two key elements: paper prototyping and digital prototyping to produce a simple game
Introduction to 3D Asset Creation for Games
This unit offers a fundamental understanding of 3D modelling tailored for game development, encompassing both theoretical concepts and practical skills. You delve into fundamental principles while gaining proficiency in industry-standard 3D modelling software. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including 3D modelling fundamentals, software navigation, polygonal modelling, texture mapping, UV mapping, materials, shading, basic rigging, and insights into industry workflows.
Introduction to Gameplay Mechanics
This unit offers a comprehensive exploration of the foundations of gameplay mechanics using Unreal Engine as the primary tool. It covers essential topics such as navigating the Unreal Engine interface, player inputs, character control, Blueprint interactive elements, gameplay events, AI enemies, UI design, and testing strategies. By addressing these key areas, you establish a solid foundation in game development principles within the Unreal Engine environment.
Modules include:
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
Level Design: Player Experience and Usability
This unit is designed to teach you the intricate aspects of creating immersive and user-friendly gaming environments. It focuses on guiding players effectively through spaces by emphasising flow, connectivity, and landmark placement. Principles of environmental hierarchy such as zoning, pacing, and verticality are explored to enhance the overall player experience by using Unreal Engine Fortnite (UEFN) as a design and usability research tool. Through case studies, you learn about common architectural styles and motifs, as well as principles in level design.
Games Studio Practice 2
Games Studio Practice 2 is the second professional practice unit where you collaboratively design, create, and test a new and original game as part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of a mix of students from both the Computer Games Design and Computer Games Art courses. Within Games Studio Practice 2, you engage in rapid prototyping and iterative prototyping, two essential elements crucial for advanced game development from conception to a more refined stage.
Games Project Management
This unit focuses on cultivating strategic project leaders within the context of game development. You delve into advanced project management techniques, including the application of sophisticated frameworks such as Scrum and Lean methodologies. The curriculum emphasises optimising resources, implementing precise risk management strategies, and adapting agile practices to the unique challenges of game development projects. You are guided through market analysis, navigating uncertainty, and applying advanced financial modelling for budgeting and resource allocation.
Advanced Mechanics and Quest Design
This unit focuses on Advanced Mechanics and Quest Design within the context of Unreal Engine, delving into intricate game design concepts. You explore sophisticated quest design techniques and iterative design practices. The curriculum emphasises the development of advanced Blueprint scripting skills, mastery of AI development, design of comprehensive quest systems with branching dialogues, and integration of dynamic elements and progression systems. Throughout the unit, you design and implement comprehensive quest systems, incorporating branching dialogues, dynamic elements, and progression systems. By the end of the module, you possess a sophisticated understanding of these advanced concepts.
Modules include:
Games Studio Practice 3
Games Studio Practice 3 is the third professional practice unit, where you collaborate to design, create, and test a game as a member of a multidisciplinary team consisting of a mix of students from both the Computer Games Design and Computer Games Art courses. This may be either a new and original game or with the agreement of the entire team the development of an earlier iteration of a game from Games Studio Practice 2. This is the production phase of the game development cycle, focussing on two main elements: technical prototyping and the creation of a vertical slice. These components are essential for refining the game's technical aspects and showcase its main features and quality to potential stakeholders
Final Year Project and Professional Portfolio Curation
The Games Final Year Project and Professional Portfolio Creation unit guides you through a structured process aimed at developing your skills and showcasing your abilities in games art and design. For the Final Year Project, it begins with the identification of a topic of interest and the definition of project scope, and objectives aligned with academic and personal interests.
Audio and Soundscapes for Games
This advanced unit offers an immersive exploration into the synthesis of narrative and audio within virtual environments. Through recording and editing techniques, you delve into fundamental principles of sound and music, foley, emotional storytelling, and crafting interactive soundscapes. The curriculum aims to provide you with a holistic understanding of audio's role in storytelling in games, focusing on its integration into virtual environments to enhance narrative immersion, using Unreal Engine Fortnite (UEFN) as a soundscape design and experimentation tool.
OR
Advanced Games Feature Design and Emerging Technologies
This unit offers a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge concepts in game design, focusing on advanced paradigms and technologies shaping the gaming industry. You delve into critical analyses of games to understand their impact and role in pushing the boundaries of innovation. The curriculum focusses on the development of Metaverse gaming, engaging with immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), along with design principles for creating immersive experiences.
Modules include:
Graduating with a computer games art degree will provide you with a versatile set of skills, suited to a number of different positions. You could consider the following roles:
The standard entry requirements for this course are:
And 4 GCSE passes at grade A*-C and/or grade 4-9 including Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2.
The standard entry requirements for this course are:
And 4 GCSE passes at grade A*-C and/or grade 4-9 including English and Maths
Note:
Other relevant and equivalent level 3 UK and international qualifications are considered on an individual basis, and we encourage students from diverse educational backgrounds apply.
*We occasionally make offers which are lower than the standard entry criteria, to students who have faced difficulties that have affected their performance and who were expected to achieve higher results.
LCCA strives to provide its students with both academic excellence, career focus and a friendly environment across all disciplines. Our campus is located in Tower Hill, London with a range of facilities and equipment, making it the perfect place to study.
LCCA offers students opportunities to engage with experts both on and off campus.
Our teachers are experts in their field and will enrich your learning experience, facilitating your access to the most current industry expertise and networks across their creative specialisms.
We provide a range of top undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are delivered in partnership with the University for the Creative Arts.
We provide dedicated facilities for students, helping them to produce work at an industry-level standard and preparing them for a bright future. These facilities are the reason why, upon graduation, our students feel prepared to start working from day one.
Our students have access to a range of specialist facilities across the college. These include:
Whether you’re completing your first degree or undertaking further study to progress your career or change your career direction, LCCA’s strong industry links and wide networks will help you develop your skills, gain valuable experience and make contacts to boost your career opportunities.
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· Aitor Throup Studio LTD · Burberry · Calvin Klein Jeans · Chloé · Claret Press · Harrods · Hop Fashion |
· House of Fraser · James Lakeland · Jan Masny · Karen Millen · Christian Louboutin · Bartlett Mitchell · Boodica UK |
· Pringle of Scotland · Richard Boll · Soho House · Ted Baker · Tommy Hilfiger · YKK · Yulan Creative |
· Paul Smith · Louis Vuitton · Maria Grachvogel · Net-a-Porter · Little Wardrobe London Ltd · Claret Showroom · ZARA |
Graduating with a computer games art degree will provide you with a versatile set of skills, suited to a number of different positions. You could consider the following roles:
Upon graduation, you may like to consider further study at postgraduate level.
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