GD1S10 - Exploring Games 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: GD1S10
Module Title: Exploring Games
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Games
Module Leader: Simon Reed
Module Team: Daniel Birt, Gareth Pugh, Mark Griffiths, Vanessa Batten, Emma Marshman, Aaron Leslie
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

Establish research, communication, and academic study skills.
Examine the relationships between theory and practice within games design
To develop sensitivity and objectivity in analysing media, games, and art related texts.

Content Summary

This module will help introduce the history of the genre, auteur theory, codes and conventions, signs, signifiers and semiology in games, film and animation.
Contextual influences will include a number of these key areas –
Historical and cultural histories for art and games, major historical movements, modern practitioners, relationship between modern practice and historical sources, current attitudes towards games and art, current cultural, ethical and legal context, historical concepts and principles versus modern notions of moral and ethical practice.
Making judgements: The student will be expected to question, compare, measure, observe and make connections.
Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to play and analyse both digital and non-digital games, developing the ability to identify game play structures within various genres.
Students will engage in theoretical debates, acquiring the analytical, literary and debating skills necessary to evaluate game artefacts This develops their critical language vocabulary and enhances thought processes, providing a foundation for further academic enquiry.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 16
Seminar 4
Tutorial 1
Project supervision 15
Independent Study 112
Directed Study 52
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Describe and identify contextual knowledge appropriate to the subject
LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of a range of scholarly materials, relevant to the study of games art and design.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 An oral presentation where knowledge, content and presentational skills are assessed. This may be delivered within a group. 15 N/A 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 A correctly referenced essay that sustains a coherent argument, based upon existing game studies literature. 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1
Essay 1

Reading List

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made

Understanding Games and Game Cultures
by Ingrid Richardson Larissa Hjorth Hugh Davies

Video Games as Culture: Considering the Role and Importance of Video Games in Contemporary Society Daniel Muriel Garry Crawford

Drawing Basics and Video Game Art: Classic to Cutting-Edge Art Techniques for Winning Video Game Design Chris Solarski

UK Government. (1988). Copyright, Designs and Patents Act . Available: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/contents .