Curricula

Objectives

Object of the course:

Have you though what skills and completeness are needed in game development project? What are the required personal skills and special expertise related to the project administration (producing), game development processes and pipelines in the project? How difficult it is to communicate efficiently with all the project stakeholders? And how hard it is to combine the skills of developers from different areas and produce something new and unique or maybe something with predefined requirements?

Working in the game industry often takes place in teams (game studios), where everyone has different skills and competences. In this course, you will gain practical experience on the different required specialty roles and responsibilities, and what it is like to work for a game development project.

In this course you will also start the journey to find your path and determine your own role in the game studio environment as well as in game industry generally. How to give your best contribution in co-creative work environment, and which work methods and tools fits you the best?

Course competences:
Operating the work place: You are able to work constructively in a work community and promotes own and work community’s wellbeing.You are able to act professionally in communication and interaction situations at a workplace.You are capable to solve problem situations creatively and reforms operating methods together with others.
Ethics: You take others into account and promotes equality and non-discrimination.You take into account the realisation of diversity and accessibility in their actions.
Internationally: You are able to communicate internationally in work tasks.
Business competence: You will understand the meaning of contracts, offers, licences and copyrights in your own work. You can serve a customer if the project acquires this kind of activity.

Game production competences:You can produce content for a game project and can work with the tools in meaningful and systematic way.You can implement assets with a game engine.
You can program with an engine-specific language and understand the role of assets and/or middleware.
You can produce value for a game project while working in a specific specialist role.You can produce and lead a game design team.
Software engineering comptence: You are familiar with tools and methods related to software engineering and able to apply the knowledge in practical work.You are able to define, plan, test and/or implement software products.You have general information about ICT systems, software development tools and communication tools.You understand the role of ICT tools and digitalization.
You can design and publish online content for different platforms.



The learning objectives of the course:

After completing the course, you have a general understanding of the game development related pipeline and in which way game studio works. You have deepened your co-working skills in creative development process and you are capable to contribute your own specific materials for your groups project benefit. You are able to be analytical towards your own work through your own specific skills and competences as well as from co-creative work view point.

Content

During this course you will learn more about the phases and life cycles of game development, as well as what should be done in each phase. You will also learn about the game development and administration processes, related specialisation roles with their responsibilities, and expertise skills needed to fill those roles. You will apply your previous knowledge and hone your skills to solve various challenges during development processes with the chosen tools. You will also deepen your skills in project administration, conceptualisation, prototyping, and teamwork. You will be a part of the game development process and creation of a collaborative result.

The course will provide you with a toolkit of personal and group working related skills for understanding a game industry position.

Teaching methods

This project is mainly focusing on learning-by-doing method and your job is to contribute your own material and co-working skills for the project.One day of the week (Friday) is dedicated only to this project but you will also work independently when executing material to your artefact.
You will also have special info flashes concerning dedicated topic during the process (in February and in March)
You will work in groups in a chosen role to create a MVP of a game.(MVP=minimum viable product). Every participant gets to utilize the skills they have acquired during their previous and ongoing course studies, and learn more about game project work basics in practical environment.

This course is also connected to other semester courses, where you will learn skills and competences from specific areas related to game development. More info about this in Further Information section below.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

There will be no exam during this course.

The main basis for assessment is participating to the game project in groups, own contribution for the project and summary/reflection discussion at the end of the course.

Alternative completion methods

You have the right to apply for recognition of your studies if you have prior learning (e.g. university studies completed elsewhere) that can be accredited towards the degree you are currently completing.

The recognition of prior learning is possible in three primary ways: accreditation (replacement or inclusion), recognition of informal learning and studification. More precise info: JAMK Degree Regulations, section 17.

Student workload

10ects points=270h

Heavy emphasis is on co-working in groups.

Group work= (Fridays+ other meetings with the group)= circa 120h
Individual work for the project= circa 120h
Learning diary and Summary + meeting at the end of the course 30h

Content scheduling

Phase 1: Game Concepting and group arrangement. Group roles and responsibilities. Weeks I-II
Phase 2: Group work with project. Weeks III-VII. Coaching and other support if needed
Midpoint presentation: In March. Groups will get help and guidance from the coaches
Phase 3: Prototype. Should be ready in the beginning of April. Final prez guidelines,
Phase 4 Testing and changes to MVP before the Final pitch.
Final Boss pitching in beginning of May.
Summary and discussion

Further information for students

Detailed assessment criteria will be introduced in the course introduction in the first meeting.

Assessment emphasis is following:

Learning Diary and Summary+ one-on-one meeting: 50%
Own contribution to the project: 30%
Final outcome and pitching of the game project at the end of the course: 20%

Following courses supports you in your game development work during the semester:
Mandatory related courses:
- Introduction to Game Art
- Game Programming
- Game Industry and Production
Selective related courses:
- Concept Art and Character Design
- Introduction XR and Mobile Game Development in Game Engine

Evaluation scale

0-5

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Sufficient 1: You have base knowledge on what different basic parts there are in game develop project. You know the basic parts of the process, and can be a part of the planning on a limited capacity. Your personal skills have developed only a small amount on the roles you have chosen and you have hard time reflecting your know-how. You can work independently on a limited role.

Satisfactory 2: You have knowledge on what different basic parts there are in game project. You can work with others to plan the project. You can solve problems in the project pipeline. Your skills have somewhat developed on the roles you have chosen. Your reflecting skills on your know-how are limited. You can work on a selected role and be productive.

In grade level 1 and 2 you are not capable to be analytical and objective towards your own work and contribution to the group work.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Good 3: You have knowledge of game development basic processes that you can apply to a real life project. You can solve problems in the project pipeline.Your skills have developed on the roles you have chosen and you can reflect your know-how realistically.
You can work on a selected role and be productive and help others.

Very good 4: You have understanding of game development basic processes you can apply to a real life project. You can solve problems and develop procedures within the project and production pipeline. Your skills have developed on the roles you have chosen and you can analytically discuss about your know-how. You can work on different roles and be productive. You are essential part of the teams success.

In grade level 3 and 4 you are capable to be analytical and objective towards your own work and contribution to the group work.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5: You have very good understanding of the game development basic process that you can apply to a to your project 1 artefact. You can question the presented information and give valid options. You can analytically solve problems and develop procedures within the project and production pipeline. Your skills have developed on the roles you have chosen and you can analytically discuss about your know-how. You can work on different roles and be productive. You are essential part of the teams success.
In grade level 5 you are capable to be analytical and objective towards your own work and contribution to the group work. You can understand which kind of things you should concentrate and improve in your professional growth in the future to success in game development field.

Prerequisites

Basic game engine know-how needed. Skills with other game development related tools, like version control system and specialisation related tools, are highly recommended.

Enough knowledge from at least one of these fields:

Game Technology related (e.g. Programming / Testing / Infrastructure / Implementation...)
Game Content Creation related (e.g. 2D / 3D / Audio / Design / Narrative...)