Game Design

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Game Design program at the British University in Cairo immerses students in digital art, game design, and creative industries. By fostering a personal creative identity and exploring diverse cultures, the program prepares students for rewarding careers in the game industry and beyond, equipping them with practical and conceptual knowledge applicable across the creative sector.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BA (Hons) Game Design programme at the British University in Cairo introduces students to various digital, artistic, and creative experiences. The program aims to develop skills in digital art technologies, artistic principles, styles, and theories within game design and broader creative industries. It fosters the development of a personal creative identity and enables students to create game designs and digital artwork related to diverse cultures and practices (regional, national, and international). The program addresses the evolving needs of the creative industries, preparing students for a challenging and rewarding career by providing a clear understanding of current industry practices. The modules and their descriptions are as follows:

• 2D Game Design Development (ADGMG014, HE Level 4, 20 Credits): This module focuses on the principles and practices of 2D game design.
Students create a digital game, working in specialist production teams mirroring industry roles (producer, artist, designer, sound engineer, programmer). They learn about game asset pipeline management, deadline strategies, and project management techniques.
• Art & Sound Design (ADGMG024, HE Level 4, 20 Credits): This module explores the interplay of art and sound in digital play spaces.
• Memory Games (ADGMG034, HE Level 4, 20 Credits): This module examines pivotal events in video game history, honoring key figures and exploring the personal experiences of players.
Students reflect on their own gaming history to understand the influence of the past on future game creation.
• Industry & Professional Practice (ADGMG044, HE Level 4, 20 Credits): This module provides insights from game industry experts through masterclasses.
Students learn professional codes and conventions to enhance their job prospects.
• 3D Modeling (ADGMG054, HE Level 4, 20 Credits): This module introduces 3D modeling, exploring the relationship between 2D art and 3D modeling, covering perspective, texturing, rendering, and lighting.
• Game Specialism-I (ADGMG064, HE Level 4, 20 Credits): This module develops core competencies in a chosen industry specialization (game production & team management, game design, game programming, game art, game research, game audio, or game narrative).
Students work in specialist teams on a game development project guided by an industry expert.
• Story Design & 3D Level (ADGMG075, HE Level 5, 20 Credits): This module focuses on video game writing mechanics, practical knowledge, collaboration with writers, and industry formats.
Students create a 3D game level using an industry-recognized game engine, developing pitching and design documentation skills.
• Game Programming-I (ADGMG085, HE Level 5, 10 Credits): This module explores key programming concepts and their application to game projects.
It covers conceptual understanding of game programming, project planning, and management skills.
• Creation-I (ADGMG095, HE Level 5, 10 Credits): This module involves conducting a literature review to refine dissertation ideas and prepare a dissertation proposal, also focusing on professional practice planning.
• Game Programming-II (ADGMG105, HE Level 5, 10 Credits): This module explores contemporary game development concepts, culminating in an individual game project on a chosen platform.
• Creation-II (ADGMG115, HE Level 5, 10 Credits): This module prepares students for level 6 modules (dissertation and Advanced Game Project), focusing on identifying dissertation areas of interest, synthesizing theory, conducting literature reviews, and planning future careers.
• Game Specialism-II (ADGMG125, HE Level 5, 20 Credits): This module builds upon the specialization chosen in Level 4, involving mini-briefs based on current industry practices and trends.
• Organic Modeling & Animation (ADGMA206, HE Level 6, 20 Credits): This module focuses on creating an animated story, teaching advanced character modeling techniques, animation pipelines, and traditional drawing skills through life-drawing sessions.
• GMG Dissertation (ADGMG156, HE Level 6, 40 Credits): This module involves identifying a dissertation topic, synthesizing course theory, conducting a literature review, and preparing a dissertation proposal.
• GMG Graduation Project–Enquiry & Development (ADGMG166, HE Level 6, 20 Credits): This module develops professional gaming practice and communication skills, focusing on pitching game concepts and developing self-directed project working methods.
The Organic Modeling & Animation module includes bi-weekly observational and life-drawing sessions. The Game Specialism modules involve working in teams led by industry experts. It equips students with skills applicable across the wider creative industries.

Other:

The program emphasizes the development of a personal creative identity and the creation of game designs and digital artwork related to diverse cultures and practices. The program aims to provide students with a clear perspective on current practices in the creative industries.