News from Level 3 Computer Games Design
Student Planner competition - winner!
Date 06/06/11
All Wakefield College students had the opportunity to enter a competition to design the cover of next year's student planner. From the 8 shortlisted entries 5 were designed by Games Design students.
Over 250 votes were cast and gaining nearly a quarter of the votes Games Design student Stefan L was voted the winner (left). He won an iPod touch and will see his design printed on the student planner next year. Chris S, also a Games Design student, came a close third and won £20 in shopping vouchers. Well done to everyone who took part!
Trinity Walk 'Fashioning the Future' competition
Date 25/05/11
Students from Level 3 Computer Games Design, Level 3 Graphics and Level 3 Photography took part in a competition set by Trinity Walk, Wakefield's newest shopping centre.
Students had to create their vision of shopping in the future and a winner was chosen from each course. Dan H from Games Design was crowned the overall winner for his impressive floating shopping centre design.
Games Design student exhibits in The Hepworth Wakefield
Date 25/05/11
To celebrate the opening of The Hepworth Wakefield all the year 1 students took part in a project to draw Chantry Chapel in Wakefield. After much deliberation Matt C's sketch was chosen to be displayed alongside the work of professional artists and can currently be seen in Gallery 6: Yorkshire in Pictures.
Alton Towers trip
Date 26/05/11
The Level 3 Computer Games Design students spent a fun day at Alton Towers along with students from Level 3 Graphics, Level 2 Design and Level 2 Media.
The rain held off and queues were short so everyone got to ride their favourite attractions a number of times.
Air, Rita and Nemesis were amongst the favourite rides but Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was disappointing. Finding the exit from Hex proved a challenge for a number of people who ended up walking round the towers ruins and having to climb over walls to escape!
Applications for 2011 - 2013
Date 09/05/11
Applications for the new intake of students on to the Level 3 Computer Games Design continue to rise. The course is proving very popular and the number of applicants is at an all time high. If you are interested in the course we would recommend that you apply as soon as possible.
Red Nose Day 2011
Date 18/03/11
The Level 3 Computer Games Design students held a Dance Central competition and helped to raise over £40 for Comic Relief.
Thanks to everyone who took part and congratulations to Ricky who was crowned the Dance Central Champion 2011. Will he be able to retain his title next year?
Applications for 2011 - 2013
Date 07/03/11
Applications for the new intake of students on to the Level 3 Computer Games Design course have already surpassed last year's figures and we are expecting to enrol a record number of students. In the past we have limited the course to 36 students - split into two groups of 18. However, due to the increased demand, we now expect to have three groups, allowing us to enrol up to 54 students. If you are interested in the course we would recommend that you apply as soon as possible.
Disneyland Paris trip
Date: 31/01/11
31 students and 5 staff visited Disneyland Paris from Monday 31st January 2011 - Thursday 3rd February 2011. 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 a special lecture featuring Disney cast members.
Despite the freezing cold weather, long journey via the Channel Tunnel and expensive food, the trip was highly enjoyable, with the favourite attractions being, once again, Tower of Terror, Crush's Coaster, Space Mountain 2 and Rock n Roller Coaster. More photos can be seen here.
Disneyland Paris trip
Date: 12/01/11
We have now received confirmation of the departure and arrival details for our trip to Disneyland Paris.
The trip is scheduled for Monday 31st January 2011 - Thursday 3rd February 2011 and will feature 31 students and 5 staff.
Outbound Journey
- Meet at the entrance to Thornes Park, on Horbury Road, at 04:30am.
- Depart at 04:50am. Please be aware that we cannot be delayed as we must be on time for the Eurotunnel
- Outward Eurotunnel crossing from Folkestone at 10:50
- Arrive in Calais at 12:25 (local time)
- Arrive at Disneyland Paris Resort at approximately 17:30.
Return Journey
- Depart Disneyland Paris resort at approximately 10:30 (local time) on Thursday 3rd February
- Return Eurotunnel crossing from Calais at 16:20 (local time)
- Arrive Folkestone at 15:50 (UK time)
- Arrive Thornes Park at approximately 23:00 – or early hours of Friday
Weather disruption
Date: 02/12/10
Due to the severe weather experienced across the District, College is once again closed for teaching today, Thursday December 2nd. College is closed tomorrow for staff CPD day. Enjoy your sledging.
Weather disruption
Date: 30/11/10
The College is open for those who wish to travel. However we do anticipate lessons will be disrupted because of the weather. Matt's deadline for Year 2 Game Platforms has been extended to next Tuesday. If you would prefer to work from home please could you let us know. The Year 2 Group A Web Design deadline is today. Please email your work to Mike or bring it in the next time you are in college.
Disneyland Paris trip
Date: 25/10/10
32 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 £50 per student. Therefore the final balance is £128. This must be paid in full by 26th 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).
Royal Armouries, Leeds
Date: 14/10/10
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. The students spent the day looking at and sketching the weapons, armour, poses and costumes of the exhibits.
Euro Gamer Expo
Date: 01/10/10
Games students and staff visited the Euro Gamer Expo 2010, at Earls Court in London.
The expo gave us the opportunity to play a range of new games including Assassins Creed 3, Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 3, Medal of Honour, Gears of War 3, Fable 3, Enslaved, Civilisation 5, Little Big Planet 2, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and Motor Storm Apocalypse as well as attend games industry talks. The expo also featured a careers event for those hoping to work within the games industry. Click here for more information.
Disneyland Paris trip
Date: 01/10/10
24 students have now paid their deposits for the Disneyland Paris trip and the booking can now be confirmed.
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: 17/09/10
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. Some of the games students will be games testing for Team 17 throughout the year.
New software and hardware
Date: 11/09/10
3DS Max 2011, Windows 7 64-bit and Gamemaker 8 have now installed on all 40 PCs within the Games Studios. We have also purchased a new Panasonic HD TV, PS3 and Playstation Move.
Induction week and year 1 groups assigned
Date: 10/09/10
Enrolment has now taken place and 34 students have enrolled on the course. Due to the large number of students, the group has been split into two. Induction proved successful, with some interesting game ideas produced by all the teams. The two groups are as follows:
Group A
- Matt A
- Jack
- Natalie
- Ricky
- Sam H
- Scott H
- Joshua
- Daniel H
- Sam L
- Callum
- Jared
- Pavels
- Ben S
- Adam
- Rachel
- Dominic
- Reece
Group B
- Ben B
- Ayden
- Matt C
- Tom
- Ash
- Ben D
- Cameron
- Meghan
- Vinnie
- Mark
- Dan M
- Katie
- John
- Scott R
- Stephen
- Will
- Josh
Gamescom 2010, Cologne
Date: 23/08/10
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 see Infamous 2, Epic Mickey, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Gran Turismo 5, COD: Black Ops, Playstation Move, Xbox Kinect, and much more. We also attended several demonstrations of new games including Portal 2, Old Republic, and picked up some free t-shirts and game related merchandise.
Summer Show 2010
Work from year 1 and year 2 Games Design students was exhibited at the Summer Show 2010. Despite the heat, the opening night received hundreds of eager visitors, including the Deputy Mayor of Wakefield who was very impressed with the high standard of work on view.
ModNation Racing Championship
The Level 3 Games Design course is now the proud sponsors of a ModNation Racing Championship team. Here are photos from the latest round of the championship.
