Course Overview

This course focuses on 3 main areas of game development: Game Design, Animation, and 3D Modelling.

You will;

Use Blender, a creative, open-source, 3D modelling and Animation software.

Explore Animation principles and processes to create simple yet effective animations for use in a game environment.

Develop your game ideas through Unity 3D a game development software used in the creation of many independent games released on Android, PC, game consoles and WebGL of which these topics will be covered in class. Demonstrations will be provided, and theory covered, followed by development periods where students are encouraged to ask questions and implement a process in a way that best suits the theme and style of their own game.

Game Design:

Game Design focuses on the motivations of a player and how they interpret the game world. Game Design also focuses on the systems at play within the game, how these systems affect game play and the story they are trying to tell. Core Mechanics, Game Pillars, Risk Reward, Puzzle Design, Level Design, Character Design, Target Market, Documentation, UI Design, QA, and System Design are all explored in this area. Students are encouraged to focus on the elements that interest them the most.

Game Development:

A games actual development starts with game design and over time transitions across multiple disciplines. During this course we explore the development pipeline starting with design all the way through to QA and back again. Game design works best implementing an agile development methodology and this is encouraged and promoted in class and in assignments. Programming, Asset development, Iterative design, Unity Game Engine, Scripting behaviours and Interactive scripting are all covered in game development.

Animation:

Animation is a core element of games. Used to create movement on screen and provided guidance and feedback to the player. It can be used to enhance interactions within games and cause them to feel more impactful. This can be done in both Blender and Unity and will be explored in both in this course.

3D Modelling:

Perhaps the most important artistic element of most 3D games; 3D modelling establishes the style and theme of most games. Often providing the most memorable elements of games. Games can tell the game by the weapon of the main character in most cases, a simple yet crucial element of the game.

Lecturer

Michael Carstairs is a game designer and developer. He is qualified and has been involved in Game Design and development for many years and completed many projects.

Michael has been an active member of many game projects establishing skills across all areas of development including animation for use both in game assets and cut scenes, while focusing on the fundamentals of animation and storytelling in 2D and 3D game environments.

During this time Michael has gained vital experience in animation, character creation, storyboarding, and many other aspects of game development as well as designing and developing 2D and 3D characters and preparing them for animation.

Michael’s focus on games encourages dynamic and interesting animations that suit the characters world, driving the narrative forward.

Some of Michael’s portfolio:

https://michael-carstairs.itch.io/