Game Design – Extend Option

Please note: This course is one of our Extend Options designed to be combined with other A Level programmes or BTEC Extended Certificate courses to make up a full timetable. If you are planning to study an A Level programme at Exeter College you will need to enrol on a four element programme, and cannot apply for this course on it’s own.

Why do this course?

You will design and create your own exciting computer game using the latest tools, equipment and techniques. It is an ideal starting point if you are considering a game development or programming career path. The content is divided between designing game components, implementing these components, testing the game and producing the right documentation. Although building the game is often the most enjoyable part of development, equal emphasis is purposely placed on the vital areas of design and testing. This option is ideal if you have some prior experience of programming. Please see the ‘Programming’ Extend programme as an alternative if you have little or no programming experience.

What will it involve?

The course will take you through all the steps of how to develop a computer game. This will adhere to the software development lifecycle processes of:

Design – coming up with ideas for a game and specifying them;

Build – programming the code for the game in a gaming development environment;

Test – ensuring the game meets expectations and knowing how to fix issues.

We will be using XNA Game Studio based in Microsoft Visual Studio. This will give you experience of an industry-standard software development environment.

How might it help in the future?

Programming skills are useful in many careers. Creating a working game will show your experience of software development and will be advantageous for many technical career paths. Employers and universities will see evidence of your skills in problem-solving and logical thinking as well as your ability to use up-to-date development software.

Other information

You should have some basic programming skills, if not then consider Programming for Beginners.