Máster en Videojuegos draft

Program Overview

This Master's in Video Game Design equips students with specialized knowledge in designing games, including mechanics, levels, and economy. Through hands-on projects and industry-standard software, students gain practical experience in the full development cycle. The program prepares graduates for various roles in the growing video game industry, with opportunities for internships at renowned companies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Master's degree in Video Game Design aims to train professionals specialized in pure design, enabling them to create rules, mechanics, progression systems, levels, playable experiences, and game economy. Upon completion, students will be equipped to prototype projects using industry-standard development tools, a crucial step in translating their ideas and designs into a playable environment. The program emphasizes a hands-on approach, allowing students to recreate the entire life cycle of a real project, following the different stages of development and putting into practice the knowledge and skills acquired in the subjects. Students will experience different roles and positions, gaining firsthand knowledge of the needs and demands of each job profile in video game development.

Outline:

The Master's program is structured into two semesters, with a total of 60 ECTS credits.

1st Semester:

• Module 1: Theory of Design (6 ECTS):
• MDA Framework (mechanics, dynamics, aesthetics)
• Applied Psychology to Design
• Game Feel
• Challenge, Risk, and Reward
• Analysis and Reflection on Playable Designs
• Design Documentation
• Module 2: Engines and Development Tools (6 ECTS):
• Graphic Engines
• Physics Engines
• Scene Creation in Unity and Unreal
• Prototyping with Blueprints and Visual Programming
• Scripting
• Module 3: Level Design (6 ECTS):
• Blocking and Principles of Level Architecture
• Levels of Detail in Environment Creation
• Game Design Focused on Level Design (Level Design at the Service of Game Design)
• Psychology of Level Design
• Playable, Narrative, and Experiential Objectives in Level Design
• Level Prototyping
• Module 4: UX and Interface Design (6 ECTS):
• Message Transmission, Objectives, and Rules through Playability Design
• System Performance Evaluation through Metrics
• Usability Applied to Playability
• Typography
• Color Theory
• Diegetic and Extradiegetic Interfaces

2nd Semester:

• Module 5: Multiplayer, F2P, and Mobile Game Design (6 ECTS):
• Multiplayer Game Design
• Casual Game Design
• Data-Driven Design Applied to Video Games
• Psychology Oriented to Free to Play
• Free to Play Economy and Progression Design
• Monetization
• Module 6: Advanced Design (6 ECTS):
• Game Theory: Strategies, Theorems, and Application Systems to Video Game Design
• Balancing and Balancing: Statistics and Monitoring Tools
• System Design
• Structure and Progression
• Emergent Gameplay
• Experimental Game Design
• Module 7: Gameplay and Prototyping (6 ECTS):
• Animation in the Design of Mechanics and Dynamics
• Scope
• Mechanics Prototyping
• Iteration and Feedback
• Combat Design
• Gameplay Tips & Tricks
• Module 8: Professional Practices (Optional, 6 ECTS):
• Professional practices allow students to apply and experience the knowledge learned during the master's program, as well as confirm the viability of the actions executed and the skills acquired in a real environment.
• Students can carry out their practices in any company in the video game sector or in centers accredited by the University.
• All of this will be supervised by a company tutor and an academic practice tutor who will monitor your performance during the practical activity.
• Module 9: Professional Video Game Projects for Application in the Company (Optional, 6 ECTS):
• Project Management and Agile Methodologies
• Production and Management Tools
• Gamification
• Serious Games
• Module 10: Master's Thesis (12 ECTS):
• Project Conceptualization
• Design of the Game Design Document of the Video Game
• Techniques for the Development of a Vertical Slice of the Video Game Focused on its Playable and Interactive Components
• Techniques for Developing Academic Documentation

Teaching:

The program boasts a faculty of active professionals who bring real-world industry experience to the classroom. The teaching methods emphasize a hands-on approach, with students working with industry-standard software like Unreal Engine and Unity. The program also features the Tech-Factory classroom, equipped with professional-grade software and hardware.

Careers:

The Master's program prepares students for a variety of roles in the video game industry, including:

• Game Designer
• Gameplay Designer
• Narrative Designer
• Game Economy and Balancing Designer
• Level Designer
• UX/UI Designer
The program highlights the growth of the video game industry, with a 20% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. Students will have the opportunity to participate in internships at top companies like Vermila Studios, Zinkia, Gaming, Pendulo Studios, Bionic Ape, Tsunoa Games, and Outright Games.

Other:

The program is offered in Madrid, with classes held Monday to Thursday from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, and Master's Thesis sessions on Fridays. The program is designed to be compatible with work schedules.