News from BTEC ND Games Development
New lecturer
Date: 22/02/10
Andrew has recently joined the Games Development lecturing team. Andrew brings extensive experience of working within the graphic design industry for the past 20+ years and specialises in 3D modelling, flash, web design and graphics. Over the next few weeks Andrew will be delivering sessions on branding and identity, and graphic design, as well as helping the Year 2 Games students through their major projects. As a result of Andrew's addition to the course, the course timetables have been updated.
External Verifier visit
Date 15/02/10
The Games Development course has once again had a successful Edexcel External Verifier visit and the course has been released. This allows us to submit our final grades to Edxecel and ensure that our Year 2 students receive their final grades in time to accept their university places.
New Course Coordinator
Date: 08/02/10
As a result of some staffing changes that led to the course coordinator position being advertised nationally, Rachel has recently been appointed as the new course coordinator for the Games Development course. Rachel will now be in charge of the course and will take over responsibility for the group and individual tutorial sessions. This change has occurred as in December Mike accepted a new role as Programme Manager for Media, Art & Design. Mike will remain actively involved in the course and will continue to deliver units and update this website.
Disneyland Paris trip
Date: 25/01/10
29 students and 3 staff visited Disneyland Paris from Monday 25th January 2010 - Thursday 28th January 2010. Staying at Disney's Cheyenne Resort for 3 nights, the students enjoyed two full days in the Disney parks - Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland Park - and attended two special lectures featuring Disney cast members.
Despite the freezing weather, arduous journey and expensive food, the trip was highly enjoyable, with the favourite attractions being Space Mountain 2, Tower of Terror, Crush 's Coaster, and Rock n Roller Coaster. More photos can be seen here.
Royal Armouries, Leeds
Date: 18/01/10
The Year 1 Games development students visited the Royal Armouries in Leeds. The purpose of the visit was to help the students with the "Drawing Concept Art for Computer Games" unit.
New lecturer
Date: 15/12/09
Matt has recently joined the Games Development lecturing team. Matt brings experience of working within the games industry for the past 4 years and specialises in 3D modelling and animation. Over the next few weeks Matt will be delivering sessions on Unreal Level Design, using the Unreal Development Kit, and helping the Year 2 Games students through the Team Game project.
Teesside University guest lecture
Date: 11/12/09
Andrew Walker, from Teesside University, visited the course to talk to the Year 1 Games Development students during a group tutorial session. Andrew has worked for a range of games companies, including Rockstar Leeds, Team 17, and Sony. Andrew discussed his experiences of working in the games industry and the processes involved in planning, designing and producing games. The session was extremely well received by the students and a future trip to the University is being planned.
Huddersfield University Progression Agreement
Date: 07/12/09
We have now finalised a Progression Agreement with Huddersfield Universities' Computing and Engineering department. The agreement strengthens our relationship with the University, and guarantees our students 15 places across the University's range of games and multimedia courses. In the coming months we are hoping to arrange a visit for our current year 1 students, and guest lectures from University staff.
Euro Gamer Expo, Leeds
Date: 27/10/09
Games students and staff visited the Euro Gamer Expo 2009, in Leeds. The expo gave us the opportunity to play Ratchet & Clank - A Crack in Time, MAG, Mass Effect 2, Forza 3, Assassins Creed 2, God of War III (if over 18), Heavy Rain (if over 18), Alien Versus Predator (if over 18), Super Mario Bros., Red Steel 2 and many more. The expo also featured lectures from industry experts and a careers event for those hoping to work within the games industry.
Disneyland Paris trip
Date: 05/10/09
31 students have now paid their deposits for the Disneyland Paris trip and the booking has been confirmed. We have also been granted some funding from the College International Visits Fund. This has enabled us to reduce the cost of the trip by £30 per student. Therefore the final balance is £129. This must be paid in full by 25th November.
Could all those students who have paid their deposit please ensure that they have a valid passport and a European Health Insurance Card (free from www.ehic.org.uk).
Team 17 guest lecture
Date: 18/09/09
John Dennis, Design Manager of Team 17, visited the course to talk to the Year 1 Games Development students about his experiences of working in the games industry and the processes involved in designing and developing games. John was able to share his vast experience and knowledge with the students during an highly informative session that included a presentation and question and answer session. The session was extremely well received by the students, with one even asking John for his autograph.
Huddersfield University trip
Date: 17/09/09
Year 2 Games Development students spent the day at Huddersfield University experiencing life as a student on the renowned Games Design course. The group were given a full tour of the Games course facilities and were invited into Canal Side studios - the University's on site commercial game studio. During two workshop sessions the students were taught how to produce an in game animated helicopter using action script, and how to produce effective lip syncing and character animation in 3DS Max. In the next few weeks we will be able to make an exciting announcement regarding our course and the University. Keep checking back for updates.
Group allocations
Date: 03/09/09
Following enrolment for the Games Development course the two groups have been allocated as follows:
Group A
- Tyren B
- Richard M
- Will H
- Adam H
- Mathew S
- Amy M
- Luke W
- Jordan M
- Joe S
- Tommy S
- Thomas G
- Joe C
- Chris S
- Sami T
- Joshua R
- Matthew F
- Vicky A
Group B
- Daniel C
- Samuel B
- Ian C
- Chris C
- Gary W
- Thomas W
- Liam C
- James F
- Stefan L
- Jamie S
- Joe M
- Hayley R
- Ani M
- Kim S
- Jonathan S
- Andrew M
Gamescom 2009, Cologne
Date: 23/08/09
Lecturers Mike and Rachel attended the Gamescom exhibition at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany. The trip was undertaken in order to plan a possible student trip to the exhibition next year. Whilst at the exhibition we had the opportunity to play Uncharted 2, God of War III, Heavy Rain, Forza, Halo ODST, GT5, Mario & Sonic Winter Olympics, Scribblenauts, Raving Rabbids Go Home, and several others, as well as seeing the new PS3 slim and PSP Go. We also attended several demonstrations of new games including Bioshock 2, Mafia 2, Borderlands, and Avatar, and picked up some free t-shirts and game related merchandise.
2009 - 2010 applications
Date: 12/08/09
Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept applications for the course. Due to unprecedented demand we have had to stop accepting new applications. If you are still interested in the course you can always apply next year. However please ensure that you apply early in order to avoid disappointment.
Timetables 2009 - 2010
Date: 29/07/09
Provisional timetables for 2009 - 2010 for both Year 1 and Year 2 have been uploaded to the site. These timetables may be subject to some small changes but are unlikely to alter dramatically. Those students wishing to study Life Drawing should be aware that this is yet to be timetabled. However it is likely to be timetabled for either a Tuesday or Friday afternoon.
Enrolment
Date: 29/07/09
Enrolment for the BTEC ND Games Development course will take place on Thursday 3rd September, 10:00 - 4:00. Applications and acceptances have been high and we are expecting 36 students to enrol on the course. If you are hoping to sign up for the course please try to ensure that you attend this date and bring along your GCSE results / certificates.