Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Game Design and Development

Technology has grown advanced. One of the sectors that was impacted by this evolution is games. Many mobile platforms and virtual reality have evolved and become entertainment and cultural expression. This growth then created a high demand for skilled professionals who can do game design for a better interactive experience. 

To fulfil this demand, a game design course has started to emerge massively. It includes the Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Game Design and Development. This advanced education programme focuses on practical and direct experience with the industry and game production. It includes the technical implementation and final business strategy for release.

What is Game Design?

Game design is a specific discipline that sits under the video game development field. It is the creative and technical process of creating a game for the player experience. An individual who works in this field is called a game designer. Sometimes this role also refers to a video game designer. Their goal is to make sure that the game is engaging, entertaining, and enjoyable. 

Moreover, a game designer also decides what the character in the game does. They also determine the objectives of the game and how each character interacts with the virtual world. These are important as they give a memorable experience to the user. Additionally, their work involves creating the game’s mechanics, storyline, characters, and environment. 

Game designer job description 

A day-to-day game designer's job includes developing innovative ideas, creating a game design document, building a prototype, and testing. These works are somewhere between creative vision and technical execution. A designer can act as the architect of the game, where they guide its development from a concept to a fully entertaining experience. 

Moreover, a game designer also often works with artists, programmers, and sound designers. This collaboration helps the vision come to life. They also craft the narrative, design level and balance the game’s difficulty and rewards. This highly skilled profession is then reflected in the compensation. According to Indeed, a video game designer's salary is around £37,050 per year. This great amount of wage makes a game design job a promising career. 

Game Design Courses Overview

The College of Contract Management offers a Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Game Design and Development. This course lasts up to 18 months, with a curriculum crafted by the experts in the gaming industry. The programme provides high-quality materials, both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The session will be virtually held. Each student can discuss topics with lecturers and other learners, as it provides an interactive learning method. 

Programme Outline

A Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Game Design and Development curriculum is typically structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of the entire game production process. It prepares the students to understand the initial concept to the final release. The module is designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry skills. 

Moreover, the programme also focuses on the professional side of game development. It teaches students about project management and business progression. It includes the monetisation and marketing strategies. These combinations of essential skills are beneficial for graduates. They can be ready to launch and manage a successful career within the game industry. 

Foundation of Game Design

A Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Game Design and Development covers the core theories of game design. It includes the study of gameplay, storytelling, level design, and game mechanics. Participants also learn about the psychological principles of player engagement, motivation and reward. Moreover, students are engaged in analysing existing games. It helps them create their own design decision. 

Technical and Production Skills

All participants in this game design course will also have a hands-on experience session. This focus is to build a small and playable version of a game to test and refine core mechanics and features. The class also provides modules on programming fundamentals, game scripting languages and software engineering principles. It is important for enhancing game development skills.

Project Management and Business Development

This module covers game production and project management. It serves students an understanding of how to use methodologies to deliver a product on time and within budget. The curriculum also includes an exploration of emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI). Finally, it covers vital business and professional development skills, teaching learners how to create a portfolio, pitch ideas, and understand monetisation and marketing.

Skills Required to Become a Game Designer

As mentioned before, a game design job is a combination of creative and technical fields. Even though it is not fully technical, having a basic understanding of game programming can be beneficial. Therefore, it is recommended but not mandatory to have a degree in computer science or a similar discipline. 

To become a game designer, it is best to possess a great understanding of level layouts, drawing maps, and breaking things down into systems. It is also required to have data analytical skills and advanced knowledge of user interface (UI/UX) in games. Last but not least, it is also beneficial to have good competency in marketing, including market research. It helps to understand the target audience and how to sell the game to them. 

Entry Criteria

Students who want to enrol on the Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Game Design and Development programme must possess a bachelor's degree related to this field. It includes Media Arts, Computer Science, or Graphic Design. Other technical fields are also acceptable, such as Programming, Art and Animation. These can be an asset in game design.

Participant are also required to submit a portfolio showcasing their skills and passion. The portfolio consists of playable prototypes or game demos, storyboards, or concept art. Some professional experience in fields like game development or creative arts is also considered. Generally, an international student must possess a standardised English proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL.

Pursue your dream career with CCM

Turn your passion into a dream career with the College of Contract Management. The Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Game Design and Development is the right decision to advance your growth in the gaming industry. This course is expertly designed to provide you with the creative and technical skills needed to succeed. Enrol in our virtual course now. By the end of the programme, you will gain invaluable insights from the experts and be ready to dive into the real world.

The Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Game Design and Development is not yet open for enrolment. The CCM is currently in the finalisation step to provide a course schedule. We are collaborating with industry experts to develop high-quality modules. This upcoming Game Design online course is carefully crafted to deliver students with creative and technical expertise. Our team is ready to assist if you have any questions regarding this programme.