1. MProf Games Development Professional Placements CASE STUDY A core philosophy within the MProf in Games Development is that of live project experience, where students have the opportunity to work within as realistic a depiction of live industry expectations as possible. It is the norm that industry partners work with us in developing and delivering content through sponsored projects and mentorship – with some 50 companies and Mentors attached to the course. One of many such collaborations concerned the games developer 4J Studios – lead developer of the world famous ‘Minecraft’ game on the Xbox One and PS4 games consoles. The following case study project was seen as so successful that in the following year another MProf student was engaged by 4J Studios in the same capacity – and they were also accepted as a full-time member of the company after the conclusion of their project work. CASE STUDY A core philosophy within the MProf in Games Development is that of live project experience, where students have the opportunity to work within as realistic a depiction of live industry expectations as possible. It is the norm that industry partners work with us in developing and delivering content through sponsored projects and mentorship – with some 50 companies and Mentors attached to the course. One of many such collaborations concerned the games developer 4J Studios – lead developer of the world famous ‘Minecraft’ game on the Xbox One and PS4 games consoles. The following case study project was seen as so successful that in the following year another MProf student was engaged by 4J Studios in the same capacity – and they were also accepted as a full-time member of the company after the conclusion of their project work. STUDENT EXPERIENCE The student worked on site in 4J Studios across the summer term. Any work undertaken was pre-approved by academic staff; while 4J Studios staff undertook responsibility for the student’s day to day welfare and support while they worked off campus. 4J Studios staff and the student both submitted weekly reports on the student’s perceived progress and performance to MProf teaching staff. The student retained full academic and professional credit for all work they produced, officially remaining a fully registered student with all other support services and academic tutors remaining in place. Accreditation aside, all ownership and IP rights to the assets and work created remained with 4J Studios The student transitioned into a full-time post as the summer ended, with successful attainment of learning outcomes demonstrated as well, meaning their MProf Degree was complete. STUDENT EXPERIENCE The student worked on site in 4J Studios across the summer term. Any work undertaken was pre-approved by academic staff; while 4J Studios staff undertook responsibility for the student’s day to day welfare and support while they worked off campus. 4J Studios staff and the student both submitted weekly reports on the student’s perceived progress and performance to MProf teaching staff. The student retained full academic and professional credit for all work they produced, officially remaining a fully registered student with all other support services and academic tutors remaining in place. Accreditation aside, all ownership and IP rights to the assets and work created remained with 4J Studios The student transitioned into a full-time post as the summer ended, with successful attainment of learning outcomes demonstrated as well, meaning their MProf Degree was complete. EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT 4J Studios 4J Studios identified an opportunity for one or more Master’s level students to contribute to their current project and contacted MProf teaching staff in order to explore the best manner in which to engage the students. There followed a very detailed series of negotiations between MProf staff and 4J Studios, taking into account factors such as IP ownership and the careful alignment of academic learning outcomes, within the framework of industrially set project goals. Such was the profile and value of the Minecraft property that this ultimately required legal contracts to be drawn, offering the students further insight into the realities and complexities of the professional world. EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT 4J Studios 4J Studios identified an opportunity for one or more Master’s level students to contribute to their current project and contacted MProf teaching staff in order to explore the best manner in which to engage the students. There followed a very detailed series of negotiations between MProf staff and 4J Studios, taking into account factors such as IP ownership and the careful alignment of academic learning outcomes, within the framework of industrially set project goals. Such was the profile and value of the Minecraft property that this ultimately required legal contracts to be drawn, offering the students further insight into the realities and complexities of the professional world. THE SELECTION PROCESS Once terms had been agreed, a senior member of 4J Studios’ team visited Abertay University and delivered an informal seminar to the students, ensuring each had the opportunity to ask questions freely of one another and gain a greater awareness of what may be involved. Students were offered advice and support by both 4J Studios and MProf teaching staff on any subsequent portfolio work they wished to make in support of their application for the role, and any preparations they should make for interviews. One student was selected by 4J’s, and worked on Minecraft for deployment to the Xbox One system. They were tasked with creating digital assets following directions from 4J Studios’ core development staff. THE SELECTION PROCESS Once terms had been agreed, a senior member of 4J Studios’ team visited Abertay University and delivered an informal seminar to the students, ensuring each had the opportunity to ask questions freely of one another and gain a greater awareness of what may be involved. Students were offered advice and support by both 4J Studios and MProf teaching staff on any subsequent portfolio work they wished to make in support of their application for the role, and any preparations they should make for interviews. One student was selected by 4J’s, and worked on Minecraft for deployment to the Xbox One system. They were tasked with creating digital assets following directions from 4J Studios’ core development staff. www.masterprojects.ac.uk