BSc Computer Games Technology Abdennour El Rhalibi School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences

2 Content Computer Games Industry Programme Motivation The programme structure Job Opportunities in UK The School and its facilities

3 Computer Games Industry The computer games industry has grown to become one of the world’s largest entertainment fields. In 1999, it passed Hollywood box-office receipts in terms of annual turnover. In the same year, Europe overtook America and Japan as the world’s largest consumer of computer games hardware and software with sales of $6.4bn. One quarter of Sony Corporation’s profits world-wide come from Playstation. The world video games market is growing at about 20% each year…

4 Computer Games Industry Rapidly growing market Source: Datamonitor, IDG 1 Includes console, PC software and online gaming The launch of next generation consoles is the catalyst for growth in the gaming market Online and wireless gaming will open up new revenue streams and market opportunities. Distribution by download will become commonplace, leading to higher margins for publishers The gaming industry will become a global mass market Growth drivers £16.4 billion world-wide software 1 gaming market in 2004 £8.2 billion world-wide software 1 gaming market TODAY Online opportunities Next Generation consoles Broadening demographic

5 Computer Games Industry For the 1 st time… 3 console platforms in the market 15 million already sold. Fastest selling electronic consumer product ever. DVD and online capability. 200 game titles already available. PS2 has sold 3 times faster than PSX since launch. Launches November 2001 in US. Spring 2002 in Europe/Japan. DVD and online capability. £350 million marketing spend All major software developers committed to producing games in launch year. Launched in Japan. Autumn 2001 in US Spring 2002 in Europe. High quality, proprietary game portfolio year old target. Longest established video games hardware company. GBA connectivity.

6 The Programme Motivations BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology aims to develop professional and transferable skills in a wide range of methods, techniques and practices appropriate for the task domain of a professional computer game developer. The programme also aims to provide students with an education and learning experience that will equip them to operate as autonomous computing professionals.

7 Current programmes offered by CMS HND Computing –Computing –Multimedia BSc (Hons) –Computer Studies –Multimedia Systems –Software Engineering –Information Systems Management –Maths, Statistics & Computing –Applied Statistics & Computing –Business Mathematics MSc Interactive Multimedia Systems MSc Computing and Information Systems MSc Computer Games Technology

8 The programme Structure Four year sandwich Honours degree Year 3 is spent in professional placement Themes developed during studies: –Software development –Game Architecture and Design –Multimedia authoring and development –Computer systems Transferable core skills

9 Programme structure Level 1 Semester 1 –Introduction to computer systems –Introduction to computer programming –Personal development and IT –Introduction to HCI –Introduction to Games Technology –ELECTIVE Introduction to multimedia technology Semester 2 –Computer architecture –Computer programming and problem solving –Introduction to HCI –Maths for Games I –Game Programming Workshop I –ELECTIVE Introduction to computer audio Web Development workshop

10 Programme structure Level 2 Semester 1 –Principles of interactive graphics –Object-oriented systems –Data structures –Maths for Games II –Computer Games Design –ELECTIVE Internet programming using Java Multimedia authoring Semester 2 –Computer Animation –Object Oriented Design for Games –Game Programming Workshop II –Computer systems –ELECTIVE Multimedia applications workshop Systems software Database design Low Level Programming

11 Programme structure Level 3 - Core modules Project –Run over both semesters (24 credits) Semester 1 –Advanced Computer Games development –Advanced Computer Graphics –User Interface Design Semester 2 –Advanced Computer Games Technology –Game Programming Workshop III

12 Programme structure Level 3 - Options The design of algorithms Distributed systems Expert systems Software reuse Computer networks Computer supported co-operative working Virtual reality Sound as a communication medium Multimedia networking Multimedia development workshop Multimedia databases

13 Potential careers for graduates Computer games development Software engineering Analyst/Programmer Multimedia authoring Multimedia systems development Web site development ‘Infotainment’ / ‘Edutainment’ software development Interactive TV development E-commerce development Interactive electronic publishing The course prepares the graduate for a career in computer games and associated computing technologies. Many of the skills that will be developed in the computer games programme will be applicable in a number of complementary areas :

14 Outstanding career prospects in IT 772,000 extra staff needed in USA during 1999 In Europe, there will be 1.4 million more IT vacancies than staff to fill them by 2002 Fortune Magazine estimates that 4 of the top 5 paying jobs in the next ten years will be in the IT industry Sandwich degree gives a 10% edge over full-time degree when applying for jobs (source JMU Careers Service)

15 Job Opportunities in Games Clusters in UK –Guildford: has the European headquarters of the largest publisher, Electronic Arts and development studios, including Lionhead Studios, Big Blue Box, Lost Toys, Mucky Foot, Simis, Creative Assembly, Criterion Studios. –The North West (Liverpool and Manchester) has major studios such as Rage, Psygnosis-Sony and Warthog. –The West Midlands has some of the biggest UK studios – –Codemasters, Blitz and Rare. –Yorkshire has a number of studios such as Infogrames (formerly Gremlin) and Krisalis. –Cambridge has Creature Labs and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. –London has over 30 development studios plus the offices of Sony, Sega, Eidos, Hasbro and Virgin.

16 Summary Computer Games Technology is a highly sought after discipline New programme provides academic grounding, practical skills and good job opportunities Further study prospects within the School –MSc Computer Games Technology –MPhil and PhD by research