Digital Games Department

Education

The task of the study program is to orient students in the current state of the game industry, to enable them to understand the specifics of its functioning and to prepare them for further development in the chosen field of interest. Apart from games experts, various pedagogues from the mass media, marketing and art departments participate in the program as well. Their subjects complement and expand the possibilities of finding employment. They also create prerequisites for the ability to adapt to changing conditions in this rapidly developing market.

In addition to qualified pedagogues, teaching is also provided by experts from practice. The goal of the department is to train future experts in the field of digital games, both on a theoretical and practical level. A graduate of the digital game theory department possesses a wide range of knowledge from various scientific disciplines. Primarily from the field of digital game development and game studies, secondarily from the field of media studies, mass media and marketing communication, expanded by specific study program subjects.

Subjects that form a compulsory part of the study are focused on:

• Getting to know the history and understanding the role of games in society,
• psychology and sociocultural aspects of games, their critical analysis in terms of means of expression and ethics, 
• gaining an overview of the media and marketing environment, 
• acquiring the basic skills necessary to create various types of media content, especially digital games:
  • graphics
  • development tools
  • sound
  • game design
• creation of space for further development in the chosen field, taking into account the preferences and abilities of a specific student,
• research related to play and games, which is the basis for discussion of future developments,
• From the academic year 2019/2020, the timetable includes subjects focused on game development and also competitive gaming.

Theory is complemented by rich practice

Despite the fact that the name of the department indicates a theoretical focus, students can engage in a wide range of voluntary practical activities:

Game journalism

Our students work in various game media, for example, they participate in the content of the IGN website or the web media Herná zóna.

Organization of the gaming convention UniCon

UniCon is a festival of gamers and games,  that first took place in 2016 and carried the features of a classic convention (tech gaming news, cosplay, e-sports tournaments, retro gaming rooms, lectures and workshops). During the pandemic era, UniCon has become a digital larp (live action role play) event where participants engage in a story together in a themed virtual environment. Over two days, participants must work together to successfully complete the game’s story. All activities are gamified and for completing various quests, visitors receive coins that they can later use in the final auction to win interesting prizes. Each year the festival has a different theme related to pop culture, such as Norse Mythology or the Wild West.

Creation of games within the activities of the TEDI Games studio

TEDI GAMES is a group of game enthusiasts studying the theory of digital games at FMK UCM in Trnava. Students not only work on their individual projects, but many games are also created through game jams. These take place regularly five times per semester and students can try working in a team while receiving valuable feedback from experienced game developers. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in game jams such as Bratislava Game Jam. Every year we also organize Global Game Jam Slovakia, Trnava Game Jam, but also international game jams in the past, for example LAG Jam (PL) or .Game Jam+.

We also provide game development under the supervision of experts within the subject of production and post-production of digital games. Students work in teams to develop their game under the mentorship of experts from Power Play Studio.

Workshop and museum collection of game equipment

Workshop, as we call it familiarly, is the place where old consoles get a second chance at life! Students repair, or improve, the consoles so that they can be used again. Of course, there is room for upgrading school computers, but also other diverse technology.

The workshop is also connected to a museum with a collection of consoles put together by the student organization Re_try. At the same time, students are preparing a room in which streams of retro games will be held and their gameplays will be recorded.

You can find the premises of the faculty at this link: https://fmk.sk/priestory-fakulty/

E-sports organization TEDI BEARS

Our esports players represent the school in various tournaments. They are dedicated to playing CS: GO, LoL or Valorant competitively. In addition, we also support individual players (NHL, etc.). In addition to the players themselves in games such as League of Legends, CS:GO, Valorant and others, the team includes coaches and managers. Students thus gain experience with team management, teamwork and cooperation. There is also space for developing commentary and streamer skills. In addition, students achieve excellent results at national and international level.

Twitch channel TEDI WATCH

Our students also stream and comment on digital games. In addition to the development and branding of university channels, the department also supports the creation of content on a common channel, where students, under the supervision of teachers, create their own thematic live broadcasts on the topics of digital games or other pop culture phenomena. Most often let’s play or various discussion sessions, or evaluation of games created at game jams or commenting on matches of the university team.

Master’s degree students have a unique opportunity to participate in a course focused on the creation of simulations, games, and experiential activities, including the organization of an exhibition and the development of assets for subsequent market introduction in the virtual world of Second Life. The course includes participation in the virtual hackathon Student Challenge, where students create simulations on selected topics. In addition to earning a certificate, they have the chance to compete for attractive prizes. The virtual world of Second Life also offers hosted lectures by virtual content creators from around the globe. Students can gain valuable insights from leading designers who give lectures on object creation and brand development.

Employment opportunities

Science and research

Cooperation

US