Qualification in Game Design and Development

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is for learners to follow a career in Game Design and Development. The Degree is structured in accordance with the new Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework guidelines and will provide learners with the knowledge, skills and applied competencies identified by the gaming industry as critical for employees to enter the world of work as game designers and developers in either the private, government sector, or non-governmental organizations (NGO). Learners will also be well-prepared with the insight and skills that are relevant to further specialized study in support of the principles of life-long learning. The specific skill sets incorporated into the design present a combination that is highly attractive to prospective employers and add value to the organizations that employ them. This qualification will provide learners with a thorough theoretical grounding in the key disciplines of computer programming, game design, and game development. These are the key disciplines that inform the professional practice of computer game design and development. Graduates will be able to create both two-dimensional and three-dimensional computer games for mobile and personal computer markets using informed creative game design, which can be developed into a complete computer gaming solution. This Degree will also develop learners' knowledge of the mathematical theories applicable to 3D game design and development and the abilities to write creative storylines and develop plots and characters for games. Digital law and ethics, a variety of programming languages and gaming platforms as well as the opportunities presented in developing markets with an understanding of relevant technology, communication and culture all make up aspects of this qualification design.

Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences in Game Design and Development

The purpose of the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences in Game Design and Development is to develop learners who are able to demonstrate:

• The ability to show knowledge and understanding of the theories and principles required for the design and development of innovative game strategies.
• The ability to evaluate and synthesize computer science theories in the context of Gaming.
• The ability to provide gaming solutions ethically and professionally.
• The ability to critically analyze the development process and design and develop computer games on a variety of platforms.
• The ability to show collaborate and communicate effectively and professionally as a member of a game design and development team.

Rationale

Bachelors' Degrees have the primary purpose of providing "a well-rounded, broad education that equips learners with the knowledge base, theory, and methodology of disciplines and enables them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context. Principles and theory are emphasized as a basis for entry into the labor market, professional training, Postgraduate studies, or professional practice in a wide range of careers" (HEQSF, 2013).

This qualification has been designed for solution-focused, logical, and creative thinkers geared for designing and developing computer games for both the South African and international markets. The design for this degree has been informed by a demand identified in the industry for specialized gaming programmers because video and computer gaming have added billions of dollars to the United States economy and are recognized as one of the fastest-growing sectors on an international basis. Game Development companies in South Africa are growing with the emerging profitable market and companies who are producing games for the South African and international market.

The local game development industry may still be in the early stages, compared with that of the US or Japan, but South African developers certainly don't lack the passion and skill that has made their international counterparts successful. Predictions by the Entertainment Software Association are that the video game markets will continue growing by approximately five percent annually through 2015. Entertainment software companies continue to provide jobs to both state and local economies, and Gamification is increasingly being introduced into business as a tool to predict the movement of and reaction to an organization's competitors.

This Degree would appeal to school leavers who show an interest in both computers and electronic gaming and who would like to follow a career in this specialized field. Currently, there are no qualification options available to school leavers at South African tertiary institutions, which combine both game design and game development in one qualification. Indications from feedback received via school visits and inquiries are that this Degree would be a popular choice among school leavers and this qualification would allow access to this rapidly growing field of gaming and mobile application and game development.

This Degree will qualify people to work in the private and public gaming sectors and aims at providing competent computer and mobile game designers and developers who, by understanding innovative and current developments and trends in the context of game design and development, will contribute to the success and growth of an organization and the economy. Learners will be equipped with the knowledge and understanding for the underlying competencies required for game design and development and would be able to transition into designing and developing games for other gaming platforms by critically applying these competencies.

The outcomes in the design of this qualification were identified as critical to drive a successful career in game design and development and will prepare the learner to take up positions in business gamification, using games to brand and market organizations using social media, computer gaming, non-governmental organizations, in government communications, and community-based organizations, thus suitably preparing learners to contribute to the economy via game design and development.

In keeping with the purpose of Bachelors' Degrees, this qualification will enable learners to critically apply a well-rounded strategic knowledge base to professional entry practice across a broad range of enterprise types and industries.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for learners of this Degree exist in:

• Game Designer (various platforms).
• Game Developer/Programmer (various platforms).
• Commercial Software Developer/Programmer.
• Digital Animator.