Media and Games Concept Development (M.A.)

Language of instruction: German


Standard period of study: 3 or 4 semesters (depends on study qualifications)

Overview

Media and games for a digital culture

In the master's degree programme Media and Game Design (M.A.) you will broaden your knowledge and abilities in team and project work with individually tailored specialisation modules such as Games & Interaction, Web & Crossmedia, Film & Audio, or Software & Data. With the subjects Media Theory and Ludology as well as theory and practice projects, you will extend your scientific qualifications and your abilities as a team player. In the subjects Knowledge Management and Knowledge Transfer you will pass on your knowledge to students in the bachelor's degree programme Media Informatics, thus gaining valuable coaching and leadership competences.

In focus: your ideas – your concepts

Your degree programme will be orientated towards your personality and a constantly changing culture and media industry. You will work on your concepts, games and media projects in agile teams composed of students with different professional profiles. As a team coach, with guidance, you will train your communicative and social abilities in your own projects. You will complement your qualifications with scientific competence. Your personal portfolio will make it easier for you to start your career in industry and research.

A future-orientated education based on outstanding tools and modern laboratories

  • Studio for film and photographic work
  • Film and audio editing, sound design
  • Specialist laboratory for gaming, 3D animation, motion capture, mobile systems, multimedia, usability and Illustration
  • Media lending with numerous devices (photo, film, audio etc.)

Modules

1st SEMESTER

Contents:

(four-semester degree programme)

Diverse compulsory elective courses, e.g.: Media Design, Audiovisual Design, Fundamentals of Informatics and Programming, Object-Oriented Programming Techniques, Application Programming, Computer Graphics, Databases, Human-Computer Interaction, Web Programming, Project Management ...

2nd SEMESTER

Contens:

(first semester of three-semester degree programme)

You select two specialisations* e.g. from: Games & Interaction, Web & Crossmedia, Film & Audio, Software & Data

Three compulsory subjects from science and teaching:

  • Media Theory: Media history / Ethics and effects research / Rhetorical concepts.
  • Knowledge Management: Team coaching / How do we organise and store knowledge?
  • Theory project: A project on a self-selected theme from theory and science.

3rd SEMESTER

Contents:

You select two specialisations* e.g. from: Games & Interaction, Web & Crossmedia, Film & Audio, Software & Data

Three compulsory subjects from science and teaching:

  • Ludology: (Digital) games from a scientific viewpoint
  • Knowledge Transfer: Team coaching / How do we transfer knowledge through didactics and methodology?
  • Practice project: Carrying out a practical project / Analysis of practical research / Entrepreneurship

 

* Specialisations (possible themes)

Games & Interaction: 3D modelling and animation / Integration design / Interaction in virtual and physical environments / Interface design for games / Level design & character design / Typography in the context of space and time / User experience evaluation / History of digital games...

Web & Crossmedia: Crossmedial strategies / Editorial design in virtual environments / Information systems and digital signage / Media production for e-learning / Multi-channel publishing / Spatial interaction concepts...

Film & Audio: Animation of humanoid figures / Cutscenes and trailers / Digital signage / Digital film and audio production / dramaturgy in films & games / Emotion and empathy / Film history / MoCap Advanced / Sound for games / Storytelling in films, Web and games / Surround-sound experiments...

Software & Data: Automated design / Elements of data science / Small games / Visual algorithms and methods...

All specialisations can be realised as individual or team projects. They offer sufficient space for individual ideas and concepts. Our range of specialist subjects is orientated towards current technologies and the most recent science and research.

4th SEMESTER

Master's thesis: Your master's thesis will consist of a written thesis produced over a period of five months and a master's colloquium as the conclusion of your studies.

Career

Our graduates work as employees, or are self-employed in their own companies, e.g. as:

  • Project leaders in digital media production
  • Game designers and concept developers
  • Specialists for user experience and gamification
  • Media consultants / e-learning specialists in industry as well as public and private institutions
  • Multimedia developers contracted by online agencies
  • Designers in the area of 2D, 3D, animation for the automobile, game or film industry
  • Specialists for postproduction in film, television and radio
  • Project managers in online marketing or classical advertising
  • Lecturers at universities or junior scientists in research

Prof. Daniel Ackermann

Programme Coordinator

Faculty of Automation and Computer Science
Tel +49 3943 659 381
Room 9.322, Haus 9, Wernigerode
Visiting Times Online-Sprechstunde nach vorheriger Vereinbarung per E-Mail

Chris Crawford (1982), “The Art of Computer Game Design”

»The storyteller has direct creative control over his audience’s experience; the game designer has indirect control; the toymaker has almost none.«