Bachelor of Game Design and Development

Macquarie University

About

Overview The Bachelor of Games Design and Development program aims to provide graduates with the necessary skills to be a successful videogame designer and developer.

Recognising that the videogames industry in Australia is small and jobs are hard to come by, we also intend to give graduates a wider variety of … For more content click the Read More button below.

The BGDD program comprises three streams, addressing three different skill areas important for the field:

1.

Software development.

Videogames are complex pieces of software and their development requires all the skills of another other software development project, including programming, testing, and project management.

2.

User experience (UX) design.

Designing a videogame requires a solid understanding of how players interact with game systems and the experiences that result.

This requires skills in UX design and analysis, and user-testing.

3.

Critical theory.

Games are a major media form of the 21st century, and an informed designer needs to understand the social context within which their games exist, including important ethical considerations around audience, representation and the psychological effects of gaming.

This stream also emphasises literacy, communication skills and the ability to present a reasoned argument based on academic sources.The Bachelor of Games Design and Development program aims to provide graduates with the necessary skills to be a successful videogame designer and developer.

Recognising that the videogames industry in Australia is small and jobs are hard to come by, we also intend to give graduates a wider variety of career options in software development and user experience design.

The BGDD program comprises three streams, addressing three different skill areas important for the field:

1.

Software development.

Videogames are complex pieces of software and their development requires all the skills of another other software development project, including programming, testing, and project management.

2.

User experience (UX) design.

Designing a videogame requires a solid understanding of how players interact with game systems and the experiences that result.

This requires skills in UX design and analysis, and user-testing.

3.

Critical theory.

Games are a major media form of the 21st century, and an informed designer needs to understand the social context within which their games exist, including important ethical considerations around audience, representation and the psychological effects of gaming.

This stream also emphasises literacy, communication skills and the ability to present a reasoned argument based on academic sources.Read More

Entry requirements

About inherent requirementskeyboard_arrow_down

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or program necessary for a student to successfully achieve the core learning outcomes of a course or program. Students must meet the inherent requirements to complete their Macquarie University course or program. For more information see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements. Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:

Physicalkeyboard_arrow_down

The physical inherent requirement is to have the physical capabilities to safely and effectively perform the activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

Cognitionkeyboard_arrow_down

The inherent requirement for cognition is possessing the intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative capabilities to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

Communicationkeyboard_arrow_down

The inherent requirement for communication is the capacity to communicate information, thoughts and ideas through a variety of mediums and with a range of audiences.

Behaviouralkeyboard_arrow_down

The behavioural inherent requirement is the capacity to sustain appropriate behaviour over the duration of units of study to engage in activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify, articulate and adapt the key methodologies, theories and practices involved in game design, analysis and production.
2. Compare and evaluate the design principles used in different kinds of games.
3. Demonstrate well-developed understanding of the mathematical concepts and techniques that underpin game design and development.
4. Critically analyse and evaluate games in the context of historical, cultural and technological processes and precedents.
5. Identify and reflect upon the ethical issues that arise in the development, application and use of videogames.
6. Apply broad and coherent knowledge of design principles to generate and communicate creative designs for videogames.
7. Apply software engineering skills to implement videogame software and assets.
8. Implement the principles of project management to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of peers on large game development projects.

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