GD3S01 - Dissertation (Games Design) 01 Sep 2018 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: GD3S01
Module Title: Dissertation (Games Design)
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Games
Module Leader: Jackson Rolls-Gray
Module Team: Corrado Morgana, Dann Rees, Emma Marshman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101268 - computer games design
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2018
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

1. To allow students to develop their understanding of criticism, theory and history in relation to games design practice.

2. To provide students with an opportunity to undertake an extended piece of independent focused research.

3. To further develop students’ abilities to produce an extended piece of formal written work.

Content Summary

The dissertation module provides the intellectual space in which students are able to undertake formal research into an area of personal interest related to games design. It offers the opportunity to explore contemporary issues associated with their practice or the wider field of games studies and in so doing develop a more informed understanding of the debates in theoretical, technical, critical and historical areas relevant to their specialism. The dissertation will normally be developed from interests established from previous modules undertaken.

The outcome should be presented as a reasoned argument, incorporating elements of originality within it. This may include practice-based research or use existing evidence to sustain the debate.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 4
Seminar 4
Tutorial 2
Project supervision 2
Independent Study 108
Directed Study 80
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Construct and sustain a coherent, literate and well-organised debate, demonstrating significant independent research and critical thought.
LO2 Explain and evaluate relevant topics within a chosen field of enquiry, clearly identifying relationships between theory and practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Dissertation / Major Project 1 A detailed analysis of a topic, involving original research based upon an evaluation of existing materials, primary sources and/or practice-based enquiry. 0 6000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Dissertation / Major Project 1

Reading List

The Psychology of Video Games | Examining the intersection of psychology and video games (2018). Available at: http://www.psychologyofgames.com/.

Baur, W., Silverstein, J. and Hodgson, J. (2012a) Complete Kobold guide to game design: essays by Wolfgang Baur ... [et al.]?; edited by Janna Silverstein?; cover by Jonathan Hodgson. Kirkland: Open Design.

Muratovski, G. (2016) Research for designers: a guide to methods and practice. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.

Gray, C. and Malins, J. (2004) Visualizing research: a guide to the research process in art and design. Aldershot: Ashgate.

‘Games and culture’ (2006-). Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.

‘Game studies: the international journal of computer game research’ (2001-)

Intellect (2009) ‘Journal of gaming & virtual worlds.’ Bristol: Intellect.

‘Journal of games criticism’