-
Study
-
Undergraduate
- Search for a Course
- Undergraduate Open Day & Events
- Application Guides
- Northumbria University UCAS Exhibitions
- Foundation Years
- Undergraduate Fees & Funding
- School & College Outreach
- Continuing Professional Development
-
Postgraduate
- Postgraduate Study Degree
- Postgraduate Research Degrees
- Postgraduate Open Days and Events
- Postgraduate Fees & Funding
- Flexible Learning
- Thinking about a Masters?
- Continuing Professional Development
- Change Direction
-
Student Life
- The Hub - Student Blog
- Accommodation
- Life in Newcastle
- Support for Students
- Careers
- Information for Parents
- Students' Union
- Northumbria Sport
- Be Part of It
-
-
International
International
Northumbria’s global footprint touches every continent across the world, through our global partnerships across 17 institutions in 10 countries, to our 277,000 strong alumni community and 150 recruitment partners – we prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Discover more about how to join Northumbria’s global family or our partnerships.
View our Global Footprint-
Applying to Northumbria
- European Union
- Our London Campus
- Northumbria Pathway
- International Events
- Entry Requirements and Country Representatives
- Regional Offices
-
Northumbria Language Centre
- Faculty Requirements
- Acceptable English Requirements
- Pre-sessional English Language and Study Skills
- Academic Language Skills Programmes (ALS)
-
International Fees, Funding & Scholarships
- International Undergraduate Fees
- International Undergraduate Funding
- International Masters Fees
- International Masters Funding
- International Postgraduate Research Fees
- International Postgraduate Research Funding
- International Money Matters
-
Life at Northumbria
- International student support
- Careers
-
International Mobility
- Current Northumbria Students
- Incoming Exchange Students
-
-
Business
Business
The world is changing faster than ever before. The future is there to be won by organisations who find ways to turn today's possibilities into tomorrows competitive edge. In a connected world, collaboration can be the key to success.
More on our Business Services -
Research
Research
Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic quality. We conduct ground-breaking research that is responsive to the science & technology, health & well being, economic and social and arts & cultural needs for the communities
Discover more about our Research -
About Us
-
About Northumbria
- Our Strategy
- Our Staff
- Place and Partnerships
- Student Profiles
- Alumni Profiles
- Leadership & Governance
- Academic Departments
- University Services
- History of Northumbria
- Contact us
- Online Shop
-
-
Alumni
Alumni
Northumbria University is renowned for the calibre of its business-ready graduates. Our alumni network has over 244,000 graduates based in 178 countries worldwide in a range of sectors, our alumni are making a real impact on the world.
Our Alumni - Work For Us
What will I learn on this module?
In this module you will learn about the design of computer/video games, the needs of and the issues facing the games industry and their impact upon games design. You will analyse a games problem and create a design for their solution using industry standard methods. In particular you will learn about:
• Principles of good, and user-centric game design.
• The elements of game design.
• How games are made in the industry and the makeup of the industry Professional, legal, social and ethical issues faced by the industry in general, and how they affect the game designer.
How will I learn on this module?
Every week on this module there will be one 1-hour lecture and one 2-hour seminar. Lecture material will cover many of the topics outlined above, and the seminar sessions will typically involve embedding the subject matter and practicing particular skills through discussions, team exercises and individual exercises. Students will be expected to increase their skills further through self-directed study and practice.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Students will be supported in their learning primarily through the seminar sessions with practical application of theoretical material and shared learning through discussion. Feedback will be given verbally during seminar sessions and students will also be able to contact staff outside class times if desired. Also, appropriate technology will be used to facilitate extra-curricular discussions (e.g. bulletin boards, social media) of important issues for the games industry. Students will also be encouraged to participate in games industry events and development communities.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
ML01 - analyse and compare common elements of game design: games ideas, gameplay mechanics, game worlds, aesthetic design, questing systems, and games puzzles. (KU1 ,2, 3 and 4)
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
ML02 - apply skills related to secondary research at an appropriate level. (IPSA1)
ML03 - effectively communicate information, ideas, arguments, problems and solutions in written forms. (IPSA2)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
ML04 – select and justify a strategy for a gameplay feature by analysing options, appraising and comparing relative qualities, implications, and trade-offs.
ML05- show creativity and imagination in games design
How will I be assessed?
Through the seminar sessions, tutors will be monitoring students progress and will be able to provide verbal formative feedback at all stages. There may also be written formative feedback via email.
Assessment 1: Written assignment 1 - Game analysis: In this assignment you will be asked to write a 2500 words “paper”. This is a bit like an essay, but we expect you to write it to academic standards, similar to papers that are written for academic journals. (feature comparison and choice – given a scenario, and asked for a recommendation for a gameplay feature, compare common tropes and select a contender). 20%
Assessment 2: Written assignment – Game Design Document – In this document you will create a partial Game Design Document that describes the game you have decided on. It will contain a mandatory introductory section giving a brief overview of the game, and of the game world, and then will include three to six further sections, each detailing a particular aspect of the game. 80%
Assessment feedback will be given in writing electronically.
Pre-requisite(s)
NA
Co-requisite(s)
NA
Module abstract
This module will cover a variety of subjects in the areas of games design and games production. There will also be some learning surrounding particular professional skills in this module. Every week on this module there will be one 1-hour lecture and one 2-hour seminar. There will be two written assignments, a game feature analysis and a Game Design Document. A game feature analysis is 20% and Game design document is 80% of the module.
Course info
UCAS Code G416
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Computer and Information Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints