To help you prepare for the BA (Hons) Games Development course, we recommend completing a few short activities before you arrive. These are designed to introduce you to some of the tools, workflows and creative processes you will explore during your studies.
Software Familiarisation
Spend some time exploring the interfaces and becoming familiar with basic navigation. If possible, familiarise yourself with the following software:
Unreal Engine 5.5 - try creating, moving, rotating and scaling a few simple 3D objects.
Blender - explore the editor interface and look at how a basic game level is organised.
You do not need to have previous experience with either application, and you are not expected to produce anything complex before starting the course.
If your computer is unable to run this software, please do not worry. You will have access to the required software and facilities when you begin the course.
Explore the Games Production Pipeline
Spend some time researching how a game moves from an initial idea through to a finished playable experience. You do not need to research these areas in detail. The aim is simply to begin understanding how different disciplines work together during game development.
Consider some of the different stages involved, such as:
- Concept and planning
- Game design
- Prototyping
- Environment and level development
- Character creation
- Gameplay and visual scripting
- Narrative and storytelling
- Testing and iteration
- Final production
Game Analysis Task
Choose one game that you know well or find interesting. Spend approximately 30–60 minutes playing the game or watching gameplay footage and make some short notes about:
What is the core gameplay experience?
What are the main mechanics?
How are the environments and levels designed?
How does the game guide or communicate with the player?
How are characters, narrative or world-building used?
What technical or artistic elements stand out to you?
What do you think makes the game enjoyable or engaging?
If you could change one aspect of the game, what would you change and why?
There is no formal written submission required. Bring your ideas and observations with you, as they can provide a useful starting point for discussions and activities when you begin the course.
