Games Design
Games design is the art and practice of creating the rules, systems, mechanics, and worlds that make digital games engaging. It is a discipline that combines creative and conceptual thinking with an understanding of player psychology, narrative structure, technical constraints, and commercial viability. Great game design is rarely just about making something technically impressive: it is about understanding what makes an experience compelling for the person playing it, and building the systems that deliver that experience consistently.
At the University of Northampton this three-year, full-time BA programme gives you the opportunity to develop the skills required to design and build games for multiple platforms. You will study the theory and practice of game design, exploring what the market is looking for and learning to build solutions that meet those needs. The programme covers areas including level design, game mechanics, narrative design, user experience, and the pipeline from concept to playable product, giving you both a conceptual framework and practical tools to bring your ideas to life.
You will work on real projects, building a portfolio of work that demonstrates your abilities to future employers.
Graduates of games design work across a vibrant and fast-growing industry that now generates more revenue than film and music combined. Many enter the games industry as designers, level designers, narrative designers, or UX researchers within studios ranging from small independent developers to major international publishers. Others move into related fields such as interactive media, experience design, virtual reality, training simulation, or the design of gamified applications in education, health, and the workplace.
The design thinking and creative problem-solving skills you develop are also valued in digital product design more broadly. Further study in games design, digital media, or related creative technology fields is available for those who want to develop a specialist direction.