Game Design with Foundation Year (Computing) (Hons) University of Derby

Overview

The games industry is constantly evolving and changing, and this course has been designed specifically to help you stay ahead. The Game Design with Foundation Year (Computing) (Hons) course at University of Derby prepares you to design, prototype and test exciting player experiences. You will learn by experimenting, iterating and playtesting — exploring new ideas in gameplay, interaction, storytelling and more, across both digital and physical media.

You will also learn about the business side of game development. This includes scheduling, pitching ideas, budgeting and communication — all skills game designers and producers need. You will understand how to work in agile teams and how to take a project from its first idea to a finished, playable game, using workflows that scale from small indie teams to large AAA productions (major studios that produce high-budget, professionally developed video games).

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Understand modern game design theory, from gameplay loops to scripting and pipelines in current industry-standard game engines
• Design games, levels, mechanics, systems, UI/UX, design narratives, and build worlds
• Plan and communicate your ideas clearly through professional documentation
• Experience cross-discipline simulated studio projects that help you understand how art, programming and design work together in industry
• Use ethical and professional approaches to your work, including responsible use of AI
• Prototype and test gameplay using industry-standard tools
• Communicate confidently through visuals, writing and presentations, and think creatively to solve problems

• Understand technologies, including generative AI, to help you stay adaptable in a fast-changing industry.

Careers

Through project-based learning and studio-style modules, you will have opportunities to gain the independence, teamwork skills and professionalism that employers look for.

You could go into roles such as:

• gameplay designer
• level designer
• narrative designer
• technical designer
• producer.

Your skills will also be valuable in related areas such as:

• Simulation
• Serious games
• XR (augmented/virtual reality)
• Interactive installation design.