Specialist Diploma in Game Design and Entrepreneurship

Course details

The Specialist Diploma in Game Design & Entrepreneurship is well designed to coach the students to excel in Game design & development with entrepreneur mindset while they are working in the industry. Students will gain a strong foundation in the key areas of designing, creating and publishing the interactive games. 5 Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Statements of Attainment (SOAs) will be issued to students who graduate successfully. Based on a “Placeand-Train (PnT)” format, students will undergo an on-the-job training in the sponsoring company for the entire duration of the course, besides classroom training at MAGES premises. The course is conducted over weekday evenings while the apprenticeship occurs during the day

This programme will give students a holistic approach to an enriching learning experience. Assessments will be conducted via coursework as well as paper examinations and projects so that students are well-versed in the required skill-sets through realistic coursework and practical programming projects.

Course Outline

WSQ Modules

GD401 - Games Business and Research

This module will train students to identify the market needs for different game genres and targeted game player expectations. Students will learn the procedures and planning involved prior to the game design. The module will teach students the market research and methodology that needs to be done to assess the potential in any intended games market. The module will provide learning experience in gathering data, coding, analyzing and making deductions about computer games market.

GD402 - Computer Architecture and Networking

This module will provide knowledge to students on computer structure and operation such as Arithmetic-Logic Unit, computer registers, internal bus, memory, I/O organizations and interfacing standards. It will also include concepts on CPU operation and how it is used to execute instructions. Students will also learn concepts about networking and data communication

GD408 - Project

In this module, students will be deployed to employers or organization in the related field of studies. It will aim to provide students with meaningful work experience through an Internship. The Internship will only be made available to students if there are any vacancies or opportunities. For students who are unable to go for an internship, they will be required to completed a students’portfolio for future employment.

GD409 - Games Business Management

In this module, students will be taught the necessary steps in developing strategic plans, financial plan, managing the human resources and overall business process to produce the game products that meet the needs for clients, audience or market. In addition to covering general business management, Agile Development practices will be covered as well as communication, team-building, hiring and retaining talent.

GD410 - Game Marketing & Intellectual Property

In this module, students will be taught the necessary steps in developing strategic sales and marketing plans, to promote the game products with strategic outlook. Students will also learn, how to examine budgets and manage the sales plan for game product. Forecasting, assessing and managing the risks that are typically come together with business opportunities

Non-WSQ Modules

GD403 - C++ Programming and 3D Game Development

This module will introduce students to the fundamentals and familiarize in C++ programming. The module will also address the concepts in software engineer ingand program development. Students will then proceed to Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and unique functions of programming with C++. OOP concepts will include classes and inheritance, polymorphism, overloaded and template functions. The module will familiarize students to game development using the C++ game engine.

GD404 - C# Programming and 3D Game Development

This module will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop C# applications. The training will focus on Statements and Exceptions, Methods and Parameters and Arrays. Students will then proceed to acquire skills in the use of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). Students will experience the development of games with C# game engine

GD405 - Mobile Games Development

In this module, students will study the issues and concerns that are related to online games development. Focus will be given to design considerations for mobile games that are important in wireless transmission. Others topics will include technologies, quality of service, ethics, commercial issues and game engines that are used for mobile game development.

GD406 - Multiplayer Games Development

The on-line gaming section of the course will give particular focus to Massively Multi-Player On-line Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) a particularly widely played type of on-line game. The module will aim to give students practical experience of developing aspects of both on-line and mobile games through a mixture of writing small applications and using appropriate tools.

GD407 - Web Design and Online Database

This module will initially include topics that focus on website design considerations and the technical issues to consider for user requirements. Students will learn to look at understanding audience, style of web contents writing, the visuals, color theory, website prototyping and website interfaces. Students will then learn to use web development tools to create the web sites. Mark up languages such as HTML 5.0, XHTML and CSS will be included to train students in understanding the programming that are involved in site construction. Finally, the module will train students on building online databases. Building dynamic and interactive web application will also be explored in the module.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a passion for creation, a love of media and entertainment, and willingness to strive for good results

19 years old or above (based on date of birth) at point of start class

Academic Qualifications:

• GCE ‘A’ Level or
• Applicants should have passed a minimum of 12 years senior high school education with proof of pass in English. Student has to pass all subjects with the required averaged score of 65% or
• Diploma in Game Design and Development from Polytechnic or
• Graduated from MAGES, Diploma in Games Development or
• For students who have other similar qualifications as MAGES, Diploma in Games Design and Development. MAGES may allow students to have direct entry into the Specialist Diploma in Game Design & Entrepreneurship or may require students to study some modules from the Diploma before gaining entry into Specialist Diploma in Game Design & Entrepreneurship or
• Diploma (IT and Gaming programmes related study) or
• Higher NITEC (IT and Gaming programmes related study)
• English Proficiency:

English Proficiency:

• GCE ‘O’ Level English
  • English grade of C6 required for IT and Gaming programmes related courses
  • Other programmes requires a minimum of C6 English grade
• IELTS 5.5
• Other equivalent qualifications where the medium of instruction is English
• Student may attend additional English classes and pass at the equivalent of upper Intermediate level (if student does not meet any of the above English requirements)
• Pass interview with the Academic Director and assessment by Academic Board (if student does not meet the above English requirement)