GA3S05 - Critical Research: Computer Games 30 Jun 2021 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: GA3S05
Module Title: Critical Research: Computer Games
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Games
Module Leader: Gina Carpenter
Module Team: Corrado Morgana, Simon Reed, Pierre Laffoux, 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: 101019 - computer games graphics
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 30 Jun 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

This module will build upon theories and context introduced and developed during previous study.

The aims are:

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

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

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

Content Summary

The 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. It 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 2
Tutorial 4
Project supervision 8
Independent Study 160
Directed Study 22
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 Evaluate variety of research tasks related to a sustained enquiry in an appropriate subject for extended study.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 Reflective Practice - A full length dissertation of 5500 words or a practical dissertation of 2500 words with a practical component. 0 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Bell J (2005) Doing Your Research Project '
4th Edition. OUP.

Denscombe M (2007) The Good Research Guide '
3rd Edition. OUP.

Guns, Grenades, and Grunts First-Person Shooter Games,
Gerald A. Voorhees, Joshua Call, Katie Whitlock
ISBN - 9781441146267

Game Studies: http://gamestudies.org/1702

Games and Culture: http://journals.sagepub.com/home/gac

[Academic Conference Papers] DiGRA Digital Library: http://www.digra.org/digital-library/

Journal of Gaming and Virtual Worlds: https://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/journals/view-Journal,id=164/

Blaxter, L. Hughes, C. & Tight, M. (2006) How to Research '
3rd Edition. OUP.

Video Game Design - Principles and Practices from the Ground Up
Michael Salmond

ISBN – 9781472567499

Alternate Reality Games and the Cusp of Digital Gameplay
Antero Garcia, Greg Niemeyer

ISBN - 9781501316258

Social, Casual and Mobile Games
Michele Willson, Tama Leaver

ISBN – 9781501320194

Dungeons, Dragons, and Digital Denizens
The Digital Role-Playing Game
Gerald A. Voorhees, Joshua Call, Katie Whitlock

ISBN - 9781441195180

https://www.gamasutra.com/