Course overview

This course is designed to introduces learners to skills that are important in the Computer Games industry. The NPAs in Computer Games Development at SCQF levels 5 and 6 introduce learners to the genres, trends, and emerging technologies of the computer games industry.

This qualification covers core areas such as:

• Design
• media assets
• development

Computer programming is also an important part of this qualification the languages that we focus on pupils learning are GameMaker 8, Construct 3 and Unity C#.

The other important skills we develop are using blender to create 3D graphics and audacity / Garageband to edit sound effects for games.

The award will improve learners’ computational thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills. Learners have a choice of what programming language they would like to use and if they would like to create a 2D & 3D game.

Design Unit

This unit involves pupils learning about how to design characters and the importance of the following areas when designing and coming up with game ideas:

• Game type
• Game Genre
• Target Audiences
• Narrative
• Game controls
• Game Mechanics
• Character Design
• Level Design

We do some research as a class on good and bad games based on the above areas which allows each class member time to think about what aspects of these games they would like to implement into their own game.

Media Assets

During this part of the course we look at learning skills to develop and create our own 2D and 3D Characters using blender and piskel art. We then look at both audacity and garage band to add sound effects to games that already exist.

During this unit we focus on all the software packages and explore the features throughout so that we can decide which packages each student wants to use for their own game and why. We also explore the Copyright Design and Patents Act and look at how to legally put assets into our game without breaking the law.

Development

This is the part of the course which has the most flexibility, we go through basic tutorials for unity C#, python as our text based languages and Game Maker and Construct 3 as our block based code. Students then decide what package they would like to use and create their final game completing their own research and using the skills already developed to help them.

This part of the course involves students creating a game and then evaluating and testing it to make sure it is fit for purpose and meets the previous design.

This course involves teacher led demonstrations and a lot of independent research as each students game is different. This allows the course to be a lot more flexible and enjoyable for all involved.

This qualification is a pass or fail. You will create and work through a portfolio of tasks throughout the year which come together to allow you to pass the units:

• Design
• Media Assets
• Development

This is internally assessed in school and students need to meet deadlines to pass each unit.

A student will be assessed based on progress on each unit within given deadlines and practical ability will be assessed throughout the year. This will depend on whether you sit a level 5 and level 6 qualification.