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GAM-10011 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

GAM-10011 - Crafting Games and Worldmaking
Coordinator: Miroslav Spasov Room: CKF06 Tel: +44 1782 7 33298
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2026/27

This module will introduce you to the craft of game level design using industry-standard engine tools and techniques. You will learn how to design levels using greyboxing, 2D map making, lighting and atmosphere, populating spaces, and staging cinematic narrative moments. You will also explore interactive storytelling in games, and what makes single-player and multiplayer spaces work. Dive into the art of gameplay and discover what makes a game captivating!

Aims
To develop students' game making skills.
To introduce students to level design.
To help students obtain understanding of game crafting techniques and apply the appropriate tools.
To introduce students to game-crafting techniques.
To help students develop imagination, creativity and to prepare them for narrative design.
To engage students in story settings as a vehicle for narrative and storytelling, which will help the players feel involved in the game and to motivate them to make the next steps.
To teach students how to work collaboratively on a shared project

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe key concepts, and both the creative and technical aspects of a game experience: 1,2,3
Identify appropriate elements that form and shape different types of game levels: 3
Demonstrate proficiency in developing player actions: 2,3
Apply their knowledge and skills in worldmaking as an act of creating a canvass: 1,3
Demonstrate skills in presenting narratives and worldmaking: 2
Demonstrate knowledge of games narrative, covering history and some contemporary trends in fiction: 1

Study hours

24 hours lectures and workshops
24 hours small group tutorials
Independent study:
72 hours of preparation for workshops and tutorials
40 hours of assigned reading individual software-based tasks
40 hours of group tasks
100 hours of preparation for the summative assessments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 40%
Portfolio
A written portfolio (equivalent to 1200 words) documenting the student’s design thinking for a single-player level. The portfolio will include a written design log with visual evidence, including a 2D regional map and in-engine screenshots. The submission should provide a rationale for key level design decisions, and a critical reflection on the iterative design process.

2: Presentation weighted 20%
Presentation
Students will give a 15-minute individual presentation on the virtual world they have developed for the creative brief, explaining the narrative and how players will behave and interact in their surroundings.

3: Project weighted 40%
Collaborative Project
A collaborative digital project in which students work in small groups (2-3) to generate and develop a shared world with a contextual setting. Students are assessed individually on their own individual level implementation within this world. Each student will submit their individual 3D engine implementation (equivalent to 1000 words) demonstrating greyboxing, lighting and atmosphere, populated objects, and interactive elements. Each of the students will also be required to submit a written summary of 1000 words describing the shared world, and their contribution to the project.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026