Skip to main content

Module

CSC3232 : Gaming Technologies and Simulations

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Giacomo Bergami
  • Lecturer: Dr Chris Holder
  • Owning School: Computing
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To understand the programming techniques associated with the technical development of a video game. Students gain experience in the technical design and implementation of engineering a computer games system. The analysis of a design as an engineered system is assessed through appropriate choice of system components based on complexity, processor cost and memory imprint.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus has focus around the programming requirements for video games in the context of physics, artificial intelligence, and gameplay

• Players and adversaries – gameplay programming for adversarial based games
• Path-finding – algorithms for navigation
• Game AI– algorithms for simulating behaviour
• Physics – approximating realistic simulations in real-time in video games
• Gameplay modelling- Using probability to encourage longevity of play

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture111:0011:00Traditional Present in Person lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion301:0030:00Coursework 1
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical112:0022:00Present in Person Computer Classroom
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1151:00115:00Background reading
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study221:0022:00Lecture follow-up
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Techniques and theory are presented in lectures. Supervised practical classes on a PC cluster room provide experience of writing programs and using PCs with help available.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Practical/lab report1M100Graphical simulation achieved through game engine plug-in (software equivalent to 4000 words)
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Computer assessment1MVLE delivered test of learning outcomes.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework ensures the students understand and can engineer solutions based on graphical code libraries.

Reading Lists

Timetable