Digital Game Design and Development
Qualification awarded (in original language)
Master in Design and Development of Digital Games. Master's title.Level of qualification
2nd Cycle of Studies. EQF Level 7. Level 7 of ISCED 2011.Admission requirements
The following may apply for the study cycle leading to a master's degree:a) Holders of a bachelor’s degree or legal equivalent;
b) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree awarded following a 1st cycle of studies organized in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process;
c) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree that is recognized as meeting the objectives of the degree by the statutorily competent scientific body of the higher education institution where they wish to be admitted;
d) Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum, which is recognized as attesting
capacity to carry out this cycle of studies by the statutorily competent scientific body of the higher education institution where they intend to be admitted.
Recognition of prior learning
Following the implementation of the Bologna Process and the consequent legislation regarding the mobility of students among degrees and higher education institutions, prior learning must be recognized and credited. The prior learning concept comprises all the previous learning/training undertaken in other higher education study cycles in national or international institutions (crediting of certified training), as well as previous professional experience and any post-secondary school training or education. As such, the IPB promotes the crediting of the student’s prior learning when arriving at the institution.Aiming at a quick and full integration of the student in his/her new education programme, the recognition procedures must be submitted when enrolling at the IPB.
For further enquiries on crediting and recognizing prior learning and training at the IPB (calendars, procedures and assessment criteria), please go to the Applicant Portal at www.ipb.pt/portaldocandidato.
Qualification requirements and regulations
4 semesters (2 years). 20 weeks of study, per semester, full-time (40 per year). 120 ECTS credits (30 per semester), corresponding to 1 credit per 27 hours. It includes a dissertation of a scientific nature, a project work or an internship of a professional nature subject to a final report of 30 credits.---
Profile of the programme
The Master in DGDD is based on providing its students with a solid technical and scientific training, through interdisciplinary practice based on game design, articulating with scientific areas necessary for the development, evaluation and dissemination of digital games, responding to real needs of companies and institutions, reflecting on the significant cultural and technological impact of digital games and reflecting on the future of the area.The general objectives are to:
- Contribute with qualified senior staff (masters) in the scope of digital game design and development to enrich the different areas of activity of the creative industries;
- Respond to social, economic, technological and cultural transformations by valuing specific resources and assets of the national territory;
- Promote research skills in the area of digital games and stimulate innovative projects;
- Promote qualified and creative entrepreneurship in the emergent field of digital games. Game design and development;
Arts / Game Design / IT / Social and Business Sciences;
Game Design;
Informatics.
Key learning outcomes
The master's degree in Digital Game Design and Development is awarded to students who demonstrate, in this area, the ability to:- Analyze and reflect on the meanings, functions and impacts of the design and technologies of digital games in contemporary times, have an overview of the industry and demonstrate research capacity in the area.
- Conceptualize, develop and validate pragmatic solutions by analyzing user requirements and experience.
- Play a role as a designer, developer, producer, technical artist, critical journalist, teacher or researcher in a game design and development team and broader contexts (national / international; entertainment / serious games; research).
- Use project management tools, version control and management of design and development teams.
- Foundation intrinsic motivation and the development of intellectual, practical, technical, organizational and communication skills throughout life, informing individual and collaborative praxis.
Occupational profiles of graduates
The Master's course aims to provide students with a formation that allows them to:- Analyze and reflect on the meanings, functions, and impacts of digital game design and technologies in contemporary times, hold an informed overview of the industry, and demonstrate research skills in the field.
- Conceptualize, develop and validate pragmatic solutions effectively analyzing requirements and users experience.
- Perform the role of designer, developer, producer, technical artist, critical journalist, teacher or researcher in a game design and development team and broader contexts (national / international; entertainment / serious games; research).
- Efficiently use tools for project management, version control, and management of contemporary design and development teams.
- Underpin intrinsic motivation and the lifelong development of intellectual, practical, technical, organizational, and communication competencies, informing individual and collaborative praxis.
Access to further studies
The master's degree allows the continuation of 3rd cycle studies, in accordance with the organization chart of the Portuguese Higher Education System, provided by NARIC (http://www.dges.mctes.pt/DGES/pt/Reconhecimento/NARICENIC /) and presented in section 8 of the Diploma Supplement.Graduation requirements
May apply to access the cycle of studies leading to master’s degree:a) Holders of a Bachelor degree or legal equivalent;
b) Holders of a higher education degree conferred by a foreign institution following a 1st cycle of studies organised according to the principles of the Bologna Process by an acceding country;
c) Holders of a higher education degree awarded by a foreign institution that is recognised as complying with the objectives of a Bachelor degree outlined by the Technical-Scientific Council of the school that grants the degree;
d) Holders of an academic, scientific and professional curriculum vitae that the Technical-Scientific Council of the school that awards the degree recognises as attesting the ability to complete this cycle of studies.
More information can be consulted in: "http://www.dges.mctes.pt/DGES/pt/Reconhecimento/NARICENIC/" and presented in section 8 of the Diploma Supplement.
Examination regulations, assessment and grading
Examination and assessment are regulated by the IPB general regulation, available in www.ipb.pt/sa, and by the School pedagogical regulation, available in www.esact.ipb.pt.Consult this Guide under the option “The ECTS at the IPB” for information on the grading and qualification system.
Mode of study
full-timeProgramme director
| Joao Paulo Pereira de Sousa ( | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) |
Scientific areas of the study plan
| Scientific Area | Acronym | ECTS Credits | |
| Compulsory | Optional | ||
| Any scientific area | ASA | 6.0 | 0.0 |
| Art | A | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Arts/Game Design/Computing/Social and Business Sciences | AGCS | 21.0 | 21.0 |
| Game Design | GD | 19.5 | 0.0 |
| Game design and development | GDD | 54.0 | 0.0 |
| Informatics | I | 12.0 | 0.0 |
| Social and Business Sciences | SBS | 6.0 | 0.0 |
| Total | 120.0 | 0.0 | |
Course structure
| Year | Sem | Type | Code | Course Unit | Scientific Area | ECTS Credits |
| 1 | 1 | Semestral | 5074-802-1101-00-23 | User experience | AGCS | 6.0 |
| 1 | 1 | Semestral | 5074-802-1102-00-24 | Game ideation, design & development | GD/ I | 6.0 |
| 1 | 1 | Semestral | Elective 1 ↓ | 3.0 | ||
| 1 | 1 | Semestral | Elective 2 ↓ | 6.0 | ||
| 1 | 1 | Semestral | 5074-802-1105-00-23 | Characters for Games | GD/ A | 3.0 |
| 1 | 1 | Semestral | 5074-802-1106-00-24 | Integrated Project 1 | GDD | 6.0 |
| 1 | 2 | Semestral | Elective 3 ↓ | 6.0 | ||
| 1 | 2 | Semestral | 5074-802-1202-00-23 | Integrated Project 2 | GDD | 6.0 |
| 1 | 2 | Semestral | 5074-802-1203-00-23 | Digital games publishing and monetization | SBS | 6.0 |
| 1 | 2 | Semestral | 5074-802-1204-00-23 | Extended reality | GD/ I | 6.0 |
| 1 | 2 | Semestral | 5074-802-1205-00-23 | Contemporary issues and digital games | GD/ I | 6.0 |
| 2 | 1 | Semestral | 5074-802-2101-00-24 | Quality Assurance and In-Game Economy Design | GD | 6.0 |
| 2 | 1 | Semestral | 5074-802-2102-00-24 | Methodologies to support Dissertation / Project / Internship | GDD | 8.0 |
| 2 | 1 | Semestral | Elective 4 ↓ | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 1 | Semestral | 5074-802-2104-00-24 | Seminar | GDD | 4.0 |
| 2 | 1 | Semestral | 5074-802-2105-00-24 | Free Unit | ASA | 6.0 |
| 2 | 2 | Semestral | 5074-802-2201-00-24 | Master Thesis or Project or Internship | GDD | 30.0 |