Welcome information

To help you transition smoothly onto the BSc (Hons) Games Design course and prepare for the content ahead, we’ve outlined a few essential tasks. These will support your understanding of key industry tools and introduce you to core concepts in storytelling, narrative design and the game development process. 

Software to Install

Please ensure you install the following before the start of the course: 

• Unreal Engine 5.5
• Blender  

These tools will form an important part of your design workflow, from prototyping environments to visualising gameplay experiences. 

Blender Practice

Familiarise yourself with Blender and basic 3D modelling basics. A great starting point is the YouTube channel: 

• Blender Guru – youtube.com/@blenderguru 

Narrative Research Task

Explore how storytelling is used to enhance player experience in modern games. We recommend researching and analysing the narrative structure, character development and world-building in: 

• The Last of Us (Naughty Dog)
• Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt Red) 

Consider how emotion, choice and environment contribute to the overall narrative experience. Take notes on what engages you as a player and how these techniques might inspire your own design work. 

Spending time with these resources will give you a strong foundation in narrative-driven game design and help you begin thinking critically about the storytelling potential of games. 

Laptop requirements 

Please see our laptop requirements document to ensure you have a device that will be suitable for your studies.

Your course welcome week activities will be taking place on the following dates. This is a really important time for you to meet fellow students, your course team and become part of the Ravensbourne community. These sessions will cover key information about your course and everything you need to set you up for your studies.  

Monday 15 September: 10.00am - 5.00pm, room 905

Wednesday 17 September: 9.30am - 5.00pm, room 905

All activities will take place at our main campus: Ravensbourne University London, 6 Penrose Way, London, SE10 0EW  

Students’ Union Welcome Festival 

Your Students' Union team is currently working on putting together a fantastic Welcome Festival, full details of all events will be released in September. To keep track of all SU events and to buy tickets visit: rave.native.fm

During this week you must attend an enrolment session to complete your in-person enrolment and become an official Ravensbourne University student. Following this you will attend inductions on living and studying in the UK, have a tour of the campus and meet other students.

Tuesday 9 September - Friday 12 September

In-Person Enrolment: 9.30am - 12.00pm

Please book a day and time to complete your in-person enrolment here. You must complete your in-person enrolment before attending your international induction and your first week. You only need to attend on one day.

See our in-person enrolment page for details of what to bring with you. 

International Induction: 12.30pm - 4.00pm

Once you have enrolled you will attend this session which covers key information about living and studying in the UK.

Activities will take place at our main campus: Ravensbourne University London, 6 Penrose Way, London, SE10 0EW

Your teaching starts in the week commencing Monday 22 September. You will have three teaching sessions each week as follows: 

Tuesday, 9.00am - 1.00pm, room 901/904 - R1 Building

Thursday, 9.00am - 1.00pm, room TBC

Thursday, 2.00pm - 6.00pm, room TBC

Occasionally your timetable might get updated due to a room or other change.

Please ensure you regularly check your timetable in case there are any changes. You can find out how to check your timetable here  

If you have any questions ahead of joining us, our online drop-in sessions will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays, 1.00pm - 2.00pm UK Time.

Members of our friendly Student Services team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have at the start of your journey with Ravensbourne. Join here.