MSc Games Software Development

Attendance

Full-time, Part-time

Full-time – 13 months
Part-time – three years
Starts September

At a glance

About this course

This is a technically oriented course for programmers and those interested in the technology of games. It is suitable for people seeking employment in the games development industry.

You develop 3D graphics software using the C++ programming language, including the implementation of lighting and texturing, ray-tracing, vertex and pixel shader programming.

You use industry standard application programming interfaces such as Microsoft's DirectX and programming for the Sony PlayStation Portable. Opportunities to work with industry-standard 3D graphics and modelling packages such as 3D Studio Max and Maya are also given.

You learn technologies and architectures for games, including the novel architectures of games consoles and how to exploit them, networking and network programming, multi-threading and Linux.

We teach you project management techniques, including the stages of game production, the structure and operation of the games industry and issues surrounding intellectual property.

As well as the practical skills, you also develop academic and transferable skills that aid your performance in any area of employment. These encompass general problem solving strategies, analysis and evaluation skills, practical research skills and writing skills to enable you to express your ideas and solutions using professional approaches.

The University has a dedicated facility for analysing and evaluating console games, containing PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii consoles, new games titles and LCD screens.

During the course, you create a personal portfolio. This is a collection of sample work that you can use to demonstrate your skills to prospective employers. We encourage you to build your portfolio as your studies progress and advise you how to maximise its potential. This includes showing you presentation techniques aimed at industry and giving tutor and industry practitioner feedback.

Associated careers

 Games software graduates are in high demand, and our course has been developed to meet the needs of the booming entertainment software industry.

We actively support your collaboration with external companies on your practical software development projects. This gives you real experience while learning and could lead directly to you gaining a job with one of these companies.
 

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by Skillset. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for creative media.

PlayStation®First Academic Partnership Programme
This degree is part of the PlayStation®First Academic Partnership Programme offered by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and has been awarded PlayStation®First status by fostering best practise in game related development skills across PlayStation® platforms.

The course provides unique access to PlayStation® professional development hardware (dev kits) and software (SDK) to equip students with industry relevant game development skills across PlayStation®3, PlayStation®Vita and PlayStation®Portable.

Course content

Postgraduate certificate

Graphics and animation
Games make much use of animated and non-animated 2D and 3D graphical elements in their design. You learn the concept and techniques for implementing software capable of displaying and animating 2D and 3D graphics using C++ and DirectX. This module introduces the key concepts, theories and methods used by those working in the industry.

Architectures and technologies for entertainment software
Game software relies heavily on dedicated hardware. This achieves performance not available on typical multipurpose PCs. This module explores the architecture of dedicated entertainment consoles such the Sony PlayStation. It demonstrates how the performance of software can be enhanced by understanding a machine's physical architecture and the incorporation of assembler level code.

Interaction design for entertainment software
Understanding how users will interact with a digital product is an integral area of games production. The industry demands that software developers recognise how to design and evaluate applications for maximum success from a product. This practical module introduces you to the concepts, theories, principles and techniques used in interactive design.

C++ boot camp
This module gives an intensive review and presentation of the main elements of contemporary C++ programming in a graphics or games context, providing a solid foundation for further study. You take part in group projects to develop appropriate games software components.

Postgraduate diploma

Special techniques for graphics and animation
Increasingly, products developed for the entertainment software market incorporate advanced and complex animated and non-animated 2D and 3D graphical elements. These must run in real time and provide very high levels of realism in the user interface. During the module you integrate design, development and optimisation techniques with new ideas and solutions from neighbouring areas to design and create new applications.

Management of entertainment and software projects
In this module, you investigate and assess the problems faced by businesses developing entertainment software products and games. You propose project management solutions that enable these problems to be overcome. You also look at the game industry as a whole, to become familiar with how it works, who does what, and the game development lifecycle.

Integrated development project
This module improves your critical skills by applying the advanced concepts and techniques you have gained so far. You typically work in a group to research, design and implement a significant, original and tangible product, aimed at a specific area of the games industry. This may take various forms including a working game, a tool, a prototype demonstrating a novel or interesting technique or a set of assets.

Multi-processing and parallel technologies
With multithreading and parallel processing architectures increasingly commonplace in gaming and pc platforms, it is essential that games software developers can produce digital content that takes advantage of these new technologies. This module equips you with the knowledge to respond and program effectively to produce software that uses these advances.

MSc

Research methods
In the final stage of your masters, you complete a substantial piece of research and develop a product based on this. This module gives you experience of the research tools, techniques and methods used, and builds your communication and planning skills to prepare you for your research project.

Research-based product development
You carry out an independent research and development project, and apply the methods and skills developed in other modules. This represents the culmination of the course, and enables you to demonstrate your skills and abilities by completing a substantial piece of work. It provides a significant contribution to your portfolio of work, which you can then use to show prospective employers.

Seminar programme
In this module you present your research project to your peer group and teaching staff. It plays a key role in developing masters level cognitive skills. You have to evaluate and synthesise complex information and concepts from a range of specialist topics, and prepare and deliver a professional quality presentation.

Assessment

PgCert – continuous assessment
PgDip – continuous assessment involving a large group-based industrial project
MSc – 50 per cent continuous assessment and 50 per cent dissertation

Entry requirements

Typically you need a degree software engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, games programming or related areas. You should have a strong motivation to develop software and a keen interest in technological developments.

We will also consider you if you have 5-10 years suitable industrial experience in art, computing, programming or other relevant areas, and depending on your educational background. Knowledge or experience of the games industry is useful but not essential.

You must also satisfy us that you have an appropriate level of skill to succeed on the course by demonstrating competency with the C++ programming language. You complete a short multiple-choice test consisting of a series of questions about the C++ language and its associated execution behaviour.

We also require one suitable reference.

English Language competence
You need to demonstrate appropriate English skills, which is typically shown by having either
• completed a degree taught and assessed in English
• an English GCSE at grade C or better
• an IELTS score of 6.0 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £4,590 for the course
Part-time study is calculated pro rata.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £10,980 for the course

2014/15 academic year

Typically £11,250 for the course

How to apply

You need to complete an admissions test and an application form.

For an application form see www.shu.ac.uk/study/form

Contact details

For further information please contact the Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB. Phone +44 (0)114 225 6777 or email aces-helpdesk@shu.ac.uk