The Higher Diploma in Interactive Games Design equips students with the knowledge to design and implement a working game using an object-oriented programming language. Students learn how to develop a game application, and the programming techniques needed to develop games. The course also covers both the design and technical aspects in multimedia and animation.

Students will also gain knowledge in the production of digital media with images, animation, sound and video. Basic game concepts and different game genres and platforms will also be introduced. 3D modeling, texture and surface mapping, lighting and camera effects and the effective integration of these in the creation of a 3D scene will be covered.

In animation and gaming development, it is important to have a good understanding in character design, which includes storyboarding and game strategy. Students will learn how to develop and enhance an interactive 3D animation and game environment. In addition to the above, essential communication skills, professional ethics, team building and project management skills will also be covered to enable students to perform effectively in the real business world.

The Higher Diploma consists of the following 11 modules:

• Gaming Project
  To provide an opportunity for the student to undertake a task of a suitable size that allows him/her to apply appropriate skills and knowledge learnt in the Higher Diploma. It is expected that the project will provide students with relevant background reading and areas of research. They will need to show evidence of meeting targets and possessing effective self and time management abilities. Applying appropriate techniques for design and product realisation, students require a level of discipline and competency appropriate for the level of the course.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework
  
• Character & Interface Design
  This module will introduce students to character design for both animation and games, an understanding of the design and development processes including storyboarding concepts and game strategies leading to animation and game development. Interactive storytelling as well as designing intuitive user interfaces and Human Computer Interaction issues will also be covered.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework
  
• Games Programming (double-module)
  This module is designed to provide practical hands-on experience for students to create a game application using a 3D Game Engine. This module aims to allow students to exploit their creativity and demonstrate it on their projects. In addition, students will learn the Python programming language which is commonly used for coding the back-end logic for many 3D Game Engines.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework
  
• 3D Modelling & Effects
  Computer modeling is the primary step in creating 3D computer graphics. If the model is not built to be optimized and compatible with the other production tools, the rest of the digital process becomes increasingly difficult. Texture mapping digital models help to create the surface detail that can make a computer-generated image appear photorealistic. Lighting and camera effects help to provide amazing images with the use of shadow and light effects.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework
  
• 3D Animation
  3D Animation is a module that presents an overview of the concepts and techniques in 3D animation. The syllabus also includes film-making techniques in the production of a 3D animation movie.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework
  
• Fundamentals of Computer Systems
  This module will cover two main areas: computer hardware and software. The first part of this module provides students with a detailed and essential foundation in various computer technologies that are considered critical in today’s business world. These includes understanding basic computer system components, the ranges of modern computer applications so as to meet information needs of various users, purposes of various computer system components, the characteristics of different types of input, output and storage devices, and methods of retrieval. Hardware requirements for multimedia applications will also be covered. The second part of this module will provide an understanding of basic operating system (OS) concepts, different types of operating environments, and how Windows operating systems work.
  
  Assessment: 40%/60% (coursework/examination)
  
• Multimedia Concepts & Production
  This module will first cover the multimedia concepts, with an introduction to the elements of multimedia applications and the types of authoring tools. The module will then present an overview of the use of design principles in the production of different digital media – text, still images, animation, sound and video. This module will also cover multimedia production and authoring for delivery via a variety of digital mediums.
  
  Assessment: 40%/60% (coursework/examination)
  
• Interactive Games Fundamentals
  In this module, the students will be introduced to basic game concepts, different game genres; understanding of different game platforms, elements of both games and players, technical requirements of a specification for an interactive game, and understand the need for constructing a structured representation of a game during the design phase. This module also covers the important issues pertaining to the development of a 2D game. The student will be able to create a simple interactive game upon completing the module.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework
  
• Professional Development
  The Professional development module presents students with a sound understanding and knowledge of professional business communication skills necessary to communicate effectively in a business environment. Written and communication skills will be developed. Students will be trained on resume writing, report writing interview techniques and presentation skills. This module will equip students with knowledge on project management, team building, workplace employability and social (legal and ethical) issues that affect the work of computing professional. The ethical issues involving the management and use of Information Technology are more complex than in other fields. As a responsible member of the I.T. community, you should have an understanding of the issues concerned.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework
  
• Application Programming with Java
  This module will equip students with the skill of developing application software using Java Technology. This skill set includes the understanding of objects and classes, inheritance, multi-threading, IO and exception handling, and applets.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework
  
• Audio & Video Editing
  In this module, students will learn to understand the requirements and specifications for digital audio and video. The students will also understand the implications of digital approaches to the representation of digital media, with particular reference to the need for compression techniques and understand the benefits of producing digital media applications. Legal and ethical aspects of digital media capture and editing will also be discussed. Upon completion of the module, the students will be able to use audio editing software for digital audio editing, and video editing software to edit, title and add special effects to captured footage for the production of the digital media required for their applications.
  
  Assessment: 100% coursework