Ever wanted to be an Astronaut? - An SAS Commando? - A Formula 1 racing driver? - A Spy?
With the power of today's gaming platforms you can become any or all of the above whenever you want for as long as you want. But have you ever wondered how these great games are made and if you can be the next generation developer?
First you need to decide what area you're interested in - that's probably the hardest part!
Initially computer games were created by one or more programmers and possibly an artist, today there are many roles within the computer games industry found within structured departments.
Our Games degrees map onto specific roles within industry.
BA (Hons) Computer Games Design is associated with the work of the Design department.
This department handles the initial game design, planning and overall running of the project. Within this department you will find the Creative Director, Games Designer/Lead Games Designer, Scriptwriter, Level Designer, Concept/Storyboard Artist, Interface Design and Games Testers.
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming and BSc (Hons) Computer Games Science develop the skills associated with the work of the technical division.
This Team deal with all the game programming and platform development. Here you could find yourself working as the Technical Director, Programmer/Lead Programmer, Interface Programmer, Effects Programmer, Audio Programmer or R&D/Tools Programmer.
BA (Hons) Computer Games Art is allied with the work undertaken by a typical Art Team.
They create all the graphical elements needed within the game and can easily be the largest group within a development studio. The roles include: Art Director, Artist/Lead Artists in 3D Characters and 3D Environment Art, Texture Artist, Concept/Storyboard Artist, Animator/Lead Animator, Effects Artists.
Games students should also consider courses from our Music Sector.
The BA (Hons) Digital Music Creation and BSc (Hons) Digital Music will lead to working with creating the soundtrack, sound effects and speech within the game. This is often a small section that would include an Audio Manager and Sound Designers.
Once you have decided which area fits you best, come and see us here at Teesside.
Teesside has a close connections with and are backed by the computer games industry. This is re-enforced by some of the major developers like Blitz, Empire or Eutechnyx delivering guest lectures on a regular basis throughout the year. We even have Ernest Adams, author and co-founder of the IGDA (International Games Developers Association), as a visiting Fellow.
There are many demanding tasks to be completed before a game is released to the public. Students at Teesside mirror some of these tasks within the course assessments to help push their experience further and be compatible with careers in industry.
To complete assignments, students use industry standard software such as Discreet 3dsmax and Adobe Photoshop. So, not only are the theoretical skills being taught, but the technical software training runs alongside.
Not only will our students gain the necessary skills in order to progress through their chosen career in games, but they also have transferable skills that will make them attractive to other professions.
Each degree path includes transferable skills. For example, a student on the BA (Hons) Computer Games Art degree will learn skills which could enable them to take up employment in Virtual Reality, Film or Multimedia. Your options are always open.
Because we push our students to meet the pressures expected within the computer games industry, we get good results from employers when it comes to sending our students out into industry, whether it be a placement year or full time employment. We strongly believe placements are a key aspect of your degree.
Our teaching staff are made up of ex-industry practitioners who have many years of experience at all levels within the industry. The staff know what it is like out there and will keep you right on track.
If you have a little of what it takes we can pull the rest out of you and give you the opportunity to go out into the computer games industry and make a difference.