Computer Games Development
Computer games development is the technical discipline of building interactive games, covering the programming, systems architecture, and real-time computation that make games playable and engaging. It is distinct from games design, which is concerned primarily with rules and player experience, though effective games programmers understand enough about design to make technical decisions that serve the game. The skills developed in games programming, particularly real-time rendering, physics simulation, artificial intelligence, and networking, are also increasingly valued in fields such as simulation, visualisation, and interactive media beyond the games industry.
At Manchester Metropolitan University, this three-year full-time programme gets you hands-on from the outset, designing and programming games from the beginning of the degree and building a portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities by the time you graduate. You will study game engine architecture, graphics programming, artificial intelligence for games, gameplay systems, tools development, and the software engineering practices that professional studios depend on to ship reliable products. A sandwich year places you in the industry for a sustained period, and work placement experience is integrated throughout the programme, giving you direct experience of professional games development environments.
Graduates work as gameplay programmers, graphics programmers, tools engineers, engine developers, and technical designers in studios of all sizes, from independent developers to major publishers. The skills the degree develops also transfer into related industries including visual effects, engineering simulation, defence, and interactive training systems. Many graduates build careers in the games industry directly, while others move into broader software engineering roles where the discipline and performance-oriented programming the games industry demands are valued.
Postgraduate study in games technology and computer science is available for those who wish to specialise further.