Published version May 2018

Author Dr Mark Eyles

TIGA is committed to maintaining educational standards in courses leading to game development focussed qualifications. That these courses prepare graduates for possible careers in the games and related industries is at the core of TIGA’s educational initiatives. In addition to offering advice on course content and delivery, TIGA also runs an Accreditation Scheme for awarding courses that meet the highest educational standards and have a track record of producing industry ready graduates.These Benchmark Statements are an additional way for both established courses and new courses to determine what skills and knowledge their students might be expected to have by the end of their courses. These benchmarks are intended to be used to inform the review, development and delivery of courses. The may also be used in the production of specific programme learning outcomes.As an industry body a primary aim of TIGA is that graduates have skills that enable them to apply for jobs in the games and related industries. Consequently these benchmarks are specifically aimed at capturing the industrial dimension of courses that focus on game development. They are based on findings from TIGA Accreditation events and also with both industry and academic input.The benchmarks are divided into four sections.

  • Section 1 applies to all courses that focus on game development.
  • Section 2 applies to courses with a significant focus on game programming.
  • Section 3 applies to courses with a significant focus on game art.
  • Section 4 applies to courses with a significant focus on game design.

1        Graduates who have successfully completed courses focused on the industrial practice of game development are expected to meet the criteria below.

1.1       Solve complex problems both individually and in groups that require a deep knowledge of game development practice.

1.2       Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams to create significant game artefacts in an industry-like setting using industry-like development pipelines and processes.

1.3       Work and network closely with industry to ensure skills are up to date, at an appropriate level and of sufficient scope.

1.4       Be aware of the commercial context and implications of decisions made during the development of a game from initial design through to release.

1.5       Develop an individual, reflective, professional approach to game development practice.

2        Graduates who have successfully completed courses focused on the industrial practice of programming for game development are expected to meet the criteria below.

2.1       Demonstrate game programming skills by individually developing programming solutions to significant problems, with an emphasis on working towards finished, potentially shippable artefacts.

2.2       Have the ability to program for a range of existing game technologies and the confidence to work with new technologies as they appear.

2.3       Apply a practical understanding of software engineering to programming languages (in particular C++) appropriate for game development.

3        Graduates who have successfully completed courses focused on the industrial practice of art for game development are expected to meet the criteria below.

3.1       Demonstrate practical 2D game art skills that combine a traditional approach with a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities afforded by using modern technologies.

3.2       Demonstrate 3D game art skills that use current technologies to create work that approaches, or meets, industry standards.

3.3       Apply a range of appropriate game industry relevant technical solutions to meet particular art requirements in a game development project.

4        Graduates who have successfully completed courses focused on the industrial practice of design for game development are expected to meet the criteria below.

4.1       An ability to set current games and gameplay ideas in the context of the history of computer and video games in order to determine what is wholly new and what extends existing ideas.

4.2       Create appropriate game design documentation that can be used to guide the development of an original game by the entire development team within particular technological and commercial constraints.

4.3       Synthesise a range of game design ideas and requirements into a coherent vision while managing and incorporating input from other stakeholders as appropriate.