Games Design and Creative Writing

Description

The combination of Creative Writing and Games Design is a relatively new but flourishing field. The connection between these two disciplines – whether in novels like Tim Etchell's The Broken World or in the increased writing quality which coupled with design and programming skills produces ever more exciting games – has never been stronger and by studying these two disciplines together you will receive a uniquely contemporary education which will increase your employability and put you to the forefront of a new and expanding field.

This course is aimed at students who want to develop a comprehensive understanding of the factors which shape the games industry and the techniques and principles used in the design of games, in addition to developing their creative skills through the analysis, interpretation and creation of literary texts. You will have the opportunity to design and analyse digital games as well as studying Creative Writing at a high level and developing an informed understanding of current debates in the subject.

Aims

Taught by a team who specialise in research into the theoretical analysis of digital games or who are professionals in the games design industry, this new degree will introduce you to ideas and practices at the forefront of game studies and game design. Your second subject will also provide ideas and concepts that you can use in your study and design of games.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 13000 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

In each year of your degree, you will study theory modules aimed to develop your analytical understanding of the cultural and social significance of games and their historical contexts. Design modules will aid your ability to produce creative, realisable strategies in relation to set briefs. Application modules will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the communication skills currently used in the games industry, including presentation and prototyping skills. You will also study a selection of core and optional modules from your chosen second subject.

Games Design

At each level you take modules in:

• Theory, which develops your understanding of methods and approaches used in the analysis of games, their cultural and social significance, and historical contexts.

• Design, which will aid your development of creative strategies for generating game design ideas and game design projects. You undertake design projects, developing a practical understanding of creative game design.

• Application (industry relevant skills and contexts), which will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the skills used currently in the games industry.

Creative Writing

This course is designed to develop your knowledge, understanding, and analytical and creative skills through the analysis, interpretation and creation of literary texts. The range and choice of modules ensure that you will achieve a sound understanding of creative writing while at the same time developing your own creative skills.

Typical Modules

Level 1

• Theory 1: 'Reading' Games - methods for, and practice of, analysing the formal components of games

• Design 1: Introduction to Game Design – practical exercises, working to set briefs

• Application 1: Methods for, and practice of, communicating design concepts and ideas

• Academic Practice

• Introduction to Writing Fiction

• Introduction to Writing Drama

Level 2

• Theory 2: Approaches to analysing games and players

• Design 2: Large game design projects, working to a brief

• Application 2: Prototyping game designs and understanding the games industry

• EITHER Screenwriting or Writing Journalism

One from:

• The Nineteenth Century Novel

• Shakespeare

• Modernism

• Romanticism and Revolution

Level 3

• Theory 3: Socio-Cultural Contexts – Analysing the social and cultural implications of games

• EITHER Major Design Project

• OR Major Theoretical Project

• OR Medium Design Project AND Medium Theoretical Project

• English Special Project

• Critical/Creative Writing

• Creative Writing and the Creative Industries

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 CAE score : 60(Grade C) TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test : 92

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• GCE A-level ABB – BBB. Typical offer ABB, including Grade B in English or Creative Writing.

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*DD in a related subject (Applicants without A-level English or Creative Writing will be required to submit a written sample of work on request)

• BTEC Level 3 Diploma DD in a related subject with an A-Level in English or Creative Writing at grade A.

• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in a related subject with A-Levels grade AB including English or Creative Writing.

• International Baccalaureate Diploma 33 points, including Higher Level 5 in English.

• Access to Higher EducationDiploma Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 with Merits in all units. All English units must be Distinctions at level 3 and must provide a sample of creative writing.

GCSE Mathematics grade C and GCSE English grade C are also required.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSE’s.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)

• Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores)

• BrunELT: 65% (min 55% in all areas)

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Brunel University.