Creative Computing (Gaming)

Shape playable worlds that inform, persuade and entertain.

• Learn the essentials of games design and development as part of your Creative Computing course.

• Create unique and surprising indie games that deploy industry-standard tools, techniques and publication routes.

• Explore the role of game engines outside of games, and the emerging world of ‘serious games’.

Build a firm understanding of coding, interactive design and digital creativity, while developing skills in game making. You’ll graduate with a stunning portfolio of digital work, made with the latest tools and techniques used in the creative industries.

The gaming pathway celebrates the vibrancy of the Bath and Bristol games scene. You’ll learn from creative technologists and regional industry specialists, and contribute to exciting projects with independent games studios and freelance developers. Emerging highly employable, you’ll hold a diverse skills ‘toolkit’ that gives you an edge on typical computing or games design graduates.

Year One - Master the basics. Start your journey through Creative Computing (Gaming) by developing key skills in computing and digital design. We provide an induction to computer science (binary, hardware, operating systems, networking) and probe the social and ethical consequences that are distinct to the digital age. Weekly tech workshops expose you to the basics of web development, physical computing (Arduino, Raspberry Pi) and object-oriented programming. Specific modules on creative problem solving, interface design and coding for the visual arts enrich your understanding of how creativity and computing combine.

Year Two - Begin to specialise. We teach you principles of effective games design and assembly using a selection of retro and current titles, interactive tools and game engines. You’ll encounter the practical aspects of 2D / 3D asset creation, level construction and rule making, while considering the creative strategies and marketing decisions that underpin today’s games industry. Your games specific learning is accompanied with an in-depth ‘code lab’ that spotlights the C programming languages.

Elective modules provide space to improve programming literacy, interface with creative companies, and experiment with some of the latest consumer grade interactive devices.

Year Three - Kickstart your career. You’ll enhance your specialist gaming knowledge, while setting yourself up for success in the tech / creative industries. Two thirds of your time is spent developing significant digital artefacts. These works become the showcase pieces of a compelling, industry-focused creative portfolio. Optional modules give space for creating original, playful ideas within the areas of Creative AI or web games.
Alternatively, you may wish to focus on the gaining an understanding of field of cyber security or develop games with purpose in serious games.

Creative Computing (Gaming) is almost entirely coursework assessed. You’ll deliver a varied and balanced collection of artefacts including game slices, prototype software, experiment portfolios, digital interfaces, interactive stories and web apps. Project work is supported by contextual essays, reflective commentaries, sketchbooks, reports, pitches, presentations, debates and b/vlogs.