Course summary

Learn how to design and build digital games from start to finish, and build a portfolio to support your entry into the industry. When you play a game, are you just playing or are you thinking about how it is made, the graphics, the sound, the narrative, and how it encourages you to keep trying even when you fail? As the industry has grown exponentially, the opportunities for a career have also increased. From working in huge teams in international organisations producing triple-A titles, medium-sized business outputting a whole range of types of games and indie developers with key outlets such as Steam and app stores, the options for a career in games is wide open and exciting. Of the whole UK entertainment industry, the digital games sector comprises more than 50%, with over 2000 companies and annual sales over £5 billion. Nearly 90% of UK game workers have at least one degree, and this course will set you on the path to being part of this growing and dynamic profession. Our HNC in Creative Media Production (Game Development) follows industry practice, starting with ideas generation and creating designs, then developing a wide range of practical skills with the aim of producing playable games. You will be empowered in developing clear and in depth knowledge in a variety of areas, then supported in specialising your particular interests and talents in individual projects. Teamwork is essential in the game industry, and the collaborative projects in this programme allow you to develop the communication, co-operation and compromise skills needed to work creatively with others to deadlines, and learn how to work flexibly and resolve any challenges. At Level 4, the focus is on establishing core practice of creating a game, including concept art, design methodologies, development in specialist software and 3D modelling. Alongside these practical skills you will also study how the industry works, the options for your future employment or self-employment, and develop yourself as a professional, including learning how to pitch confidently. A graduate from this programme will have an in-depth understanding of the game design and development process as a whole, a range of skills to effectively produce playable games and an interesting portfolio to support applications for future education and employment. They will have worked to client briefs and developed transferable skills, including collaboration, to present themselves as confident professionals ready for their next step in the industry. This course is primarily designed for face-to-face learning, with attendance during lessons for the specified hours within the validation document. However, there may be periods of study where the government advises TEC Partnership that it is not safe to open campuses, or there is limited access due to social distancing measures. If the campus is closed, TEC Partnership will deliver your sessions online and offer you the necessary support and resources remotely. If there is limited access due to social distancing measures a blended model will be adopted, with some lessons taking place in small groups and others using online sessions and support.