GAMES STUDIO PROJECT - 2026/7

Module Overview

In the first year of the degree, students develop a foundation in a wide range of techniques, methods, tools and technologies across the spectrum of games design and development. Building on this foundation, the Games Studio Project provides an opportunity to apply and advance these skills in a collaborative, studio-style environment.

Working in teams that reflect the structure of an indie games studio, you will respond to a given project brief to deliver a substantial game prototype over an extended period. Beginning with ideation and prototyping, your team will develop, refine and pitch an original game concept. You will plan and manage the production process by drawing on your emerging specialisms and the collective expertise of the team.

Throughout the module, you will engage with industry-standard agile and Scrum methodologies and adopt version control tools to enable effective collaboration in software development. You will also explore how elements such as narrative, character, voice and performance can be successfully integrated into your game, working across disciplines to create a cohesive experience.

By the end of the module, you will have gained confidence in professional communication and teamwork, enhanced your specialist practice, and produced a functional game prototype that demonstrates your individual contribution to a collaborative project.

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

WEINEL Jon (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes: 

• Idea generation techniques and creative problem-solving
• Agile and Scrum project management methodologies
• Developing a collaborative project proposal 
• Project planning tools and production pipelines
• Requirements analysis and scope management
• Strategies for cross-disciplinary teamwork
• Rapid prototyping methods Iterative game development processes
• Preparing and finalising project deliverables Identifying and developing personal specialisms within games
• Professional portfolio building and career development
• Documenting specialist contributions within a team project
• Product testing, user feedback and quality assurance
• Critical analysis, reflection and evaluation of project outcomes

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Assessment 1: Game Design Document

Students will produce design plans for a set of assets in response to a project brief, within a chosen areas of expertise.

Assessment 2: Group Project Portfolio

Students will generate a set of functional assets related to a chosen area, and will demonstrate these in the context of a game engine project. They should include documentation of their planning, iterative developmetn and use of industry-standard tools and workflows.. 

Assessment 3: Individual Reflective Evaluation

Students will provide an individual reflection analysing their personal contribution to the group project. This should demonstrate critical reflection on their specialist role, skills development and future professional goals. 

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy enables students to demonstrate achievement of the module learning outcomes by applying theoretical and practical knowledge to the design and development of a creative product and evidencing their specialist role within a collaborative project. Assessments evaluate subject knowledge of core games design principles, cognitive and analytical skills in critical reflection, practical and professional competencies in creative production and communication, and the ability to solve problems, contextualise work within contemporary practice, and collaborate effectively within a team-based workflow.

Assessment 1: Group Project Pitch

Students will collaborate to develop and present a professional game pitch in response to a project brief. This includes ideation, concept development, project planning and effective communication of a clear design vision. 

Assessment 2: Group Project Portfolio

This assessment consists of a collaborative portfolio including a functional game prototype, supporting assets and design documentation. The portfolio should evidence teamwork, production planning, iterative development and use of industry-standard tools and workflows. 

Assessment 3: Individual Reflective Evaluation

Students will provide an individual reflection analysing their personal contribution to the group project. This should demonstrate critical reflection on their specialist role, skills development and future professional goals. 

Formative verbal feedback is provided throughout the module during workshops, studio practice and project development sessions. Tutor and peer feedback support skill development and iterative improvement. Formative tasks will include draft presentations, prototype demonstrations and design documentation reviews. Feedback will guide students towards successful completion of the summative assessments and support the development of professional confidence and resilience.

Module aims

• Allow students to bring together the interconnected strands of games design work explored across the degree in developing a game project collaboratively with other students.
• Provide students with the opportunity to carry out ideation, design and prototyping work in response to a project brief.
• Enable students to develop their project management and organisation skills using industry standard tools and methodologies such as agile/SCRUM.
• Develop the ability to communicate and pitch a video game product concept and participate in group feedback sessions.
• Explore collaborations with specialists to develop content relating to narrative, actors, voice, or performance.
• Build confidence in making creative decisions in a well-informed and productive way, and build the ability to explain and justify them lucidly.
• Encourage students to collate and present their work in an industry facing format and to submit work for publication via appropriate channels.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy enables students to develop their game design practice through a substantial collaborative group project. They will apply design principles, iterative thinking, and problem-solving in response to project briefs. They will be challenged to pitch an original game idea, and then create it within a supportive context, within labs/workshops which mirror and indie games studio environment. In parallel to the development work, they will benefit from learning more about production workflows and techniques, and will be encouraged to develop their individual thinking with regards to their career and portfolio.

Learning and teaching will be delivered through a combination of lectures and labs/workshops. Lectures introduce core concepts, theories and professional practices in game design and development. Labs/workshops focus on design and development of the main project, with structured feedback sessions, and agile/scrum production methods. Studio-based learning that encourages practical experimentation and iterative development of game prototypes. The studio environment promotes both collaboration and indepedent work, helping students to develop their communication skills and resiliance in working with colleages and adapting their work based on feedback.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: DMA2016

Other information

The Department of Music and Media is committed to developing graduates with attributes encompassing Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience.

Employability: This module develops key skills required for a career in games design and related creative and IT industries. Students will work to a brief, generating and refining game concepts, plan production workflows, and present work to professional standards. They will work as a team, developing communication skills and experience with collaborative workflows. The skills developed here are absolutely essential in the games industry, and are also widely valued in many other fields.

Digital Capabilities: Game development is inherently digital, and this module provides hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, engines and digital workflows. Students will develop skills in using collaborative tools for planning, managing production and developing their game. This work will foster their digital fluency, particularly as it applies when working in teams.

Global and Cultural Capabilities: Games are a global medium that draw on diverse cultures, narratives and visual traditions. Students will be encouraged to consider inclusivity, cultural representation and accessibility in their design decisions. Where relevant, students are encouraged to reflect on the social impact of games and to consider diverse viewpoints when designing experiences. 

Sustainability: Where relevant, students will be introduced to sustainable design thinking in games development, including considerations around ethical production, accessibility, responsible game mechanics and meaningful use of resources. Students may choose to explore these themes in their projects.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: Game development involves problem-solving, iteration and responsiveness to feedback. This module gives students the opportunity to experience working on a challenging team project, where scope management, technical constraints and team coordination will be required. Through this, they will develop confidence, resilience and adaptability. They will develop their ability to give and receive feedback appropriately, using this to shape their work. 

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.