We are excited to kick off your journey during the week commencing 16th September with a programme of welcome activities. This series of introductory activities has been designed to help you transition smoothly into university life. You'll receive crucial information to start your studies on the right foot, meet our dedicated staff, connect with your fellow students, and familiarize yourself with the campus. Dive into the heart of your course and our academic community by participating in as many activities as possible!

In addition to other exciting activities, you will have access to our Creative Agency, which supports students by providing opportunities to engage in paid projects and develop a portfolio of work essential for preparing for your future career. The Agency also facilitates student collaboration, allowing students to contribute to each other's projects across the School of Creative Arts and Industries.

Once your University IT account has been activated, you will be able to access our resources, including Library resources and relevant software. On our Blackboard pages (virtual learning environment platform) you will be able to find detailed information about your course, as well as about supporting services and opportunities available to you.

At the beginning of your academic programme, you will be assigned to a personal tutor, who will provide you with academic support throughout the course and act as a gateway to support and development services offered elsewhere in the University.

After welcome week you will begin work on your first three modules that you will study in Trimester 1: Digital Game Development Essentials; Collaborative Practice; and Creativity, Culture and Community.

Your welcome and induction will be w/c 16 September 2024 - we look forward to meeting you then.

You may wish to read / consult the following readings or resources to prepare you for the course:

• Gamasutra: The Art & Business of Making Games: https://www.gamasutra.com/
• Designer Notes podcast: https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/
• The Game Maker’s Notebook podcasts: https://www.interactive.org/Interviews/the_game_makers_notebook.asp
• A-Maze Berlin games festival: https://2021.amaze-berlin.de/
• Indie Pod Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BfHEnyDMaNew0COSBlu1i
• GameStudies.org: http://gamestudies.org/2004
• Itch.io: https://itch.io/

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in September.