Game Design and Development
Degree Programmes
The Game Design and Development Programme at Scream School, Moscow, offers a distinctive opportunity to deep into the fascinating area of game development.
The programme is subject to validation by the University of Hertfordshire. It is planned to be completed in May 2022.
The Game Design and Development programme offers a variety of different routes to acquire the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to either work in the international Game industry or build an academic career.
The entire programme focuses on the teamwork and collaboration - students work in small groups to gain the required technical, creative, and entrepreneurial skills.
Due to Scream School’s extensive collaboration with the industry, there are lots of opportunities for students to learn from the best specialists. Students will work through an industry-approved curriculum, shaped by experienced teachers. In addition, the course is augmented by masterclasses and guest lectures from leading industry professionals.
The entire programme focuses on the teamwork and collaboration - students work in small groups to gain the required technical, creative, and entrepreneurial skills.
Due to Scream School’s extensive collaboration with the industry, there are lots of opportunities for students to learn from the best specialists. Students will work through an industry-approved curriculum, shaped by experienced teachers. In addition, the course is augmented by masterclasses and guest lectures from leading industry professionals.
There are three possible pathways:
BA (Hons) Visual Arts for Games
The BA (Hons) Visual Arts for Games is a creative course providing skills and techniques for the creation of 2D and 3D characters, environments, and props for computer games. Students will gain a deep understanding of the skillset needed to work in the game industry and will be able to showcase these skills by creating a high-quality portfolio.
1
Level 4
Traditional and digital drawing, 3D modeling, texturing; composition, color, perspective, volume. Development of research skills, compilation of the artist's visual library.
Theoretical, historical, cultural aspects of games. Genres, types, platforms. Introduction to computer graphics and artistic professions in the game production area: 2D illustrator, 3D modeler, concept artist, their roles and responsibilities.
The main elements of the visual design in games: environment, props, characters, creatures.
Fundamental design principles and basics of digital products production.
Theoretical, historical, cultural aspects of games. Genres, types, platforms. Introduction to computer graphics and artistic professions in the game production area: 2D illustrator, 3D modeler, concept artist, their roles and responsibilities.
The main elements of the visual design in games: environment, props, characters, creatures.
Fundamental design principles and basics of digital products production.
2
Level 5
Advanced computer graphics. Collaborative projects with peers from other pathways, designing game prototypes.
3
Level 6
Employment strategies, portfolio creation, final game project, final essay, or research project.
Professions:
2D Concept artists, 3D artists, 3D modelers, Game VFX specialists.
2D Concept artists, 3D artists, 3D modelers, Game VFX specialists.
BA (Hons) Game Design and Production
The BA (Hons) Game Design and Production equips students with a deep understanding of both game design and business processes behind the production of successful games. Students will gain professional experience through hands-on prototyping and the designing of game mechanics to create playable and enjoyable games.
Game Design & Production prepares game designers, level designers, narrative designers, and producers for the gaming industries, including console, mobile, PC, and board games.
This study path teaches concept development, game design, game production, business management, interactive storytelling, as well as basic programming and computer graphics. Game Design & Production is very popular with students who have a passion for leadership and strong communication skills.
This study path teaches concept development, game design, game production, business management, interactive storytelling, as well as basic programming and computer graphics. Game Design & Production is very popular with students who have a passion for leadership and strong communication skills.
1
Level 4
Introduction to marketing and business management. Tools for market research and targeting. The game development team and its members. Theoretical, historical, cultural aspects of computer games. Genres, types, and platforms. Introduction to the main game engines and mechanics. Prototyping, no-code programming, programming for games.
2
Level 5
Game product development and promotion, markets, localization. Project presentation and pitching. Work with clients. Collaborative projects with peers from other pathways, game prototypes design.
3
Level 6
Entrepreneurship. Employment strategies, creation of the portfolio, final game project, final essay, or research project.
Professions: Producer, QA specialist, Narrative designer, Scriptwriter, Project Manager, Product Owner, Product Director, Publisher, Marketing Director, Publishing Director, Customer Support Manager, Community Manager.
BSc (Hons) Programming and Game Development
The BSc (Hons) Programming and Game Development pathway enables students to develop strong programming skills and provides an opportunity to collaborate with artists, designers, and producers from other faculties. By building a profound knowledge in mathematics and programming, the programme develops the analytical skills demanded in the design of cutting-edge games.
The course trains hardware and software engineers for the gaming industries, including console, PC, and mobile platforms. This study path teaches mathematics, C++, hardware technology, game programming, graphics programming, mobile and social network technologies. Programming is popular with students who have technical skills and a passion for game development.
1
Level 4
In-depth study of mathematics for games, the basics of operating systems, programming languages; object-oriented programming. Theoretical, historical, cultural aspects of computer games. Genres, types, and platforms. Introduction to the popular game engines and mechanics, prototyping without code, programming for games.
2
Level 5
Advanced programming, programming for digital products. Usability basics, basic metrics and game analytics, decomposition, and game modifications. Collaborative projects with peers from other pathways, game prototypes design.
3
Level 6
Employment strategies, portfolio creation, final game project, final essay, or research project.
Professions: Digital Product Developer, Software Architect, QA Specialist, CTO (Online, PC/Mac based, Console, Mobile)
Entry Requirements
To enroll in Game Design and Development programme, you need:
1
Provide the English language certificate
English tests are not required for students from English-speaking countries. Otherwise, you will need a valid Academic IELTS (with an overall band score of 6.0+ with all bands 5.5+) or equivalent.
2
Provide the certificate of previous education
You may provide certificates of:
- completed secondary education
- secondary vocational education
- diploma of higher education
- at least one successfully completed year in the higher education programme, with all passing grades.
3
Pass the entry interview
In order to make a final decision about their enrollment, students will be asked various questions about their education and professional background.
Please, be ready to discuss the projects presented in your portfolio, as well as your gaming experience.
For example, you may be asked about the process of creation of a particular work and the full workflow of its development. What the panel is looking for is the passion for games as the main attribute of the applicant.
For foreign students, we can do the interviews online.
Please, be ready to discuss the projects presented in your portfolio, as well as your gaming experience.
For example, you may be asked about the process of creation of a particular work and the full workflow of its development. What the panel is looking for is the passion for games as the main attribute of the applicant.
For foreign students, we can do the interviews online.
4
Submit the portfolio
The range of the artworks in your portfolio should cover a broad spectrum of media, materials, and approaches.
First of all, the admission committee would like to see how you can generate and develop your ideas — that is why the portfolio should also include sketches and texts (articles, essays, if any).
Please, present the most relevant projects which reflect your creative abilities.
First of all, the admission committee would like to see how you can generate and develop your ideas — that is why the portfolio should also include sketches and texts (articles, essays, if any).
Please, present the most relevant projects which reflect your creative abilities.
We want to see the following…
- Your skill to generate various ideas and present them to the viewer.
- Ability to present the development of the ideas — from research to the final artwork. The best way is to show it via sketchbook.
- A wide range of techniques and experiments with visual creativity, via traditional and digital media.
- We expect applicants to hand in a portfolio of 15–20 sheets and a sketchbook relating to the projects. The workflow you show in the sketchbook should cover the whole process: initial design research, a few tests, and the final piece.
- Your portfolio should contain a well-presented selection of your artworks. We would like to see the samples that reflect your overall experience and your engagement with the chosen profession.
- Your portfolio should have a clear structure. Demonstrate your strongest artworks, prove your creative and technical abilities and show an open-minded approach to work. Show the Admissions Committee the quality, not the quantity of works!
- Include photos of a range of artwork, showing your progress and experiments with different media.
- The key element of the BA (Hons) Visual Arts for Games portfolio is your drawing skills. We recommend you include works that demonstrate your skills in both traditional and digital art.
- Include at least one project that shows how you developed an idea from start to finish. Be prepared to talk through your project at the interview.
We prefer digital online portfolios. All works should be digitised, even if you are able to attend the interview offline.
You can put your portfolio into a PowerPoint file or a .pdf document with links to Youtube or Vimeo if you have any videos.
You can send the portfolio via file-sharing platforms like Google Drive, WeTransfer, Dropbox, etc. Another option is to upload your works on free portfolio sites like ArtStation.
You can put your portfolio into a PowerPoint file or a .pdf document with links to Youtube or Vimeo if you have any videos.
You can send the portfolio via file-sharing platforms like Google Drive, WeTransfer, Dropbox, etc. Another option is to upload your works on free portfolio sites like ArtStation.
Worksheets, idea sheets, storyboards, samples. Finished pieces and sketchbooks that document your visual interest and thinking.
Depending on your future area of study, have a proper balance of 2D and 3D artworks.
We wish to see that you are already familiar with 3D software. We recommend Blender or ZBrush for making digital sculptures of characters or creatures.
Depending on your future area of study, have a proper balance of 2D and 3D artworks.
We wish to see that you are already familiar with 3D software. We recommend Blender or ZBrush for making digital sculptures of characters or creatures.
Please, include some real-time 3D artworks or game mods with playable levels you created from game assets.
It will be even better if you show examples of your own 3D models in a game editor. We recommend using such engines as Unreal Engine and Unity.
It will be even better if you show examples of your own 3D models in a game editor. We recommend using such engines as Unreal Engine and Unity.
We wish to see you already have some coding skills. Please show video evidence of tools, scripts, plugins, or rigs you have created for 2D and 3D software.
You might also include examples of coding for interactive games or prototypes. The result of the coding might be best demonstrated by videos showing how the feature is functioning. If you need to capture the video from your computer screen, we recommend using OBS Studio which is free and very easy to use.
You might also include examples of coding for interactive games or prototypes. The result of the coding might be best demonstrated by videos showing how the feature is functioning. If you need to capture the video from your computer screen, we recommend using OBS Studio which is free and very easy to use.
Центр дизайна Artplay
105120, Москва, ул. Нижняя Сыромятническая, 10, стр. 4, вход 4а
АНО ВО «Универсальный Университет»
105120, Москва, ул. Нижняя Сыромятническая, 10, стр. 4, вход 4а
АНО ВО «Универсальный Университет»
