The key objectives of the course are to learn current games development processes using standard industry software applications; to understand the work flow of the games development process, to give a background of understanding and experience that will allow you on successful completion of the course, to move into the games industry and become a Games programming professional.

The course allows for the production of a project portfolio and game developments project,by the time you are ready to qualify you should be prepared to work as part of a team in a large game development company.

• Games Developers create the code that forms the core of all games.
• A Games Developer develops the backbone of the game with a team of lead programmers who implement the game's starting codebase.
• Developers can be involved with several different areas of game development such as producing the game engine, implementation of the game's rules and features known as game play, creating the AI such as planning, scripting and rule-based decisions.
• Other areas include sound integration, networking components for multiplayer games, user interface production such as game options, and input processing for external hardware such as keyboards and joysticks.

Salaries range from £20,000 for recent graduates to considerably over £100,000 for executives who are at the forefront of the industry. Lead designers and lead programmers often receive some of the highest salaries but these positions require some years of experience in similar positions at lower levels before they can be attained.

If you are self-employed you can expect to earn from £35 to £175 per hour depending on your experience, the job you are doing and also the time of when the work is performed.

• Starting salaries are around £20,000*
• Average games development salary in UK is £37,352*
• Average salaries have seen consistent year on year increases
• Over 73% of all people working in the games industry are confident about their future

*Source: Intent Media (2010)