Video Games: Creative & Critical Writing (Q3317E)

15 credits, Level 4

Autumn teaching

Video and computer game design involves sophisticated and imaginative construction across hardware, software and aesthetics. Games are intersections between creative culture in arts and design, storytelling, music, and technology. As with all cultural works, they should be subject to thoughtful critique.

The module introduces seminal examples, key texts of game theory and relevant critical theory. Students will consider the creative aspects of writing for games including:

• narrative and storyboards
• world building
• shooting/scripts
• characters and avatars
• players
• virtuality and corporeality
• queer feminist game play
• play
• addiction
• algorithms and chance.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.