This page will help you get more out of your Library resources for your assignments, projects and dissertations in Computer Games.

Research independently

The resources listed here will help you to make a good start with your research.

Search for a wide range of sources including e-books, articles, reports and images.

Useful for getting a basic understanding of your topic.

You can find ebooks on Discovery, but you can search the full text of the books by using the individual services.

  • Bloomsbury Visual Arts

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    An ebook collection covering animation, game development, fashion & textiles, design & illustration, photography, architecture & interiors and more. Explore key topics as well as search and browse books.  Additional features include an interactive world map of architecture, time-line and images of key buildings and museum objects.

  • Ebook Central

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Access around 200,000 ebooks across all subject areas.

Searching beyond the basics

This section lists resources for specific purposes.

Find journal and magazine articles. These include up-to-date publications.

  • ACM Digital Library

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Full-text articles and conference papers published by the Association for Computing Machinery. Useful for topics such as computer games, artificial intelligence, entertainment technology.

  • Engineering Village

    Engineering Village consists of three databases: GEOBASE, GeoRef and Compendex. GEOBASE indexes journal literature across the earth sciences from 1980-present. GeoRef covers geological literature from North America (1785-present), plus geological literature from the rest of the world (1933-present). Compendex is the most comprehensive bibliographic database of scientific and technical engineering and computing research available. 

  • IEEE Xplore

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Full text of technical literature in electrical engineering, computer science and electronics.

  • Science Direct

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Access 1000s of Elsvier articles and book chapters from our subscribed content on scientific, technical, and medical research.

For newspaper archives visit the Visual Culture subject page.

  • Nexis Uni

    Full text articles from many news sources and trade journals both UK and international. Archives sometimes stretching back to the mid 1980s. For use in the UK only.

  • PressReader

    PressReader lets you access UK and international newspapers, plus a wide range of magazine content. Everything is full colour with archives varying in length depending on the publication.

    Login guidance

  • GDC Vault

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    GDC Vault hosts a variety of audio, video, and PowerPoint presentations of Game Developers Conferences. Topics include game design, programming, audio, visual arts, business management, production and online games

    This resource is restricted to members of the University of Portsmouth

    You have two ways to access the login instructions:

    1. Contact the Library from any Library enquiry desk or by contacting us:

    2. Connect to the University VPN and use the link below:

    View restricted access information for resources

    To verify you are a University member, please use your university email account or include your student/staff number in your message. If calling, please have your student/staff card ready.

  • Sage Research Methods

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Access books and videos about quantitative and qualitative research methods and many more social science research topics. Use the Tools drop-down at the top centre of the screen to access a handy Project Planner which is full of FAQs about what you need to consider at each stage in a project/dissertation. Tools also contains a Methods Map which is ideal for quickly finding details about a particular research method.

  • GlobalData Explorer

    Search for and compare companies, industries, sectors, economies and cities across the world. Includes macroeconomic data, industry and company reports and analysis, business news, product launches and ads, and job analytics. 

    Library Basics Video Guide (further support videos are available within the database)

  • IBISWorld

    Provides a comprehensive collection of industry reports on very specific sectors in the UK as well as further specialist reports. Also covers industries globally, in the US, China, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

  • Mintel Reports and Mintel Trends

    Detailed market research reports on a range of UK sectors including: automotive; beauty and personal care; lifestyles; drink, food and foodservice; health and wellbeing; leisure; media; technology; and travel. Also includes access to Mintel Trends which provides evidence-backed insights on how today's consumer thinks, feels and acts. 

    Video support:
    1. Navigating Mintel and Using Leap AI
    2. Using Mintel Reports and Using Mintel Consumer Data

  • Statista: the portal for statistics

    Access to more than a million statistics from many different sources. Useful for finding industrial, economic and consumer market statistical trends.

Find more sources visit the Visual Culture subject page.

  • Audio Network

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    High quality production music for TV, film, advertising and corporate video. Pre-cleared for worldwide and multi-platform use. Students should contact their course leaders in order to set up an account.

  • BoB: On demand TV and radio for education

    An archive of UK television and radio programmes from free to air channels (1998 onwards). For use in the UK only. Find some great tips about how to use BoB in these short videos.

  • Bodies in Motion

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    You can access the basic subscription which includes 400+ high resolution sequences of athletes, artists, and dancers taken from one, two or three camera angles. Perfect reference for gesture drawing, anatomy study, and animation.

    This resource is restricted to members of the University of Portsmouth

    You have two ways to access the login instructions:

    1. Contact the Library from any Library enquiry desk or by contacting us:

    2. Connect to the University VPN and use the link below:

    View restricted access information for resources

    To verify you are a University member, please use your university email account or include your student/staff number in your message. If calling, please have your student/staff card ready.

  • Human Photo References for 3D Artists and Game Developers.

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    A database of images and clips to assist in the production of 3D characters for cinematic sequences and next generation game characters. Also known as 3DSK.

    This resource is restricted to members of the University of Portsmouth

    You have two ways to access the login instructions:

    1. Contact the Library from any Library enquiry desk or by contacting us:

    2. Connect to the University VPN and use the link below:

    View restricted access information for resources

    To verify you are a University member, please use your university email account or include your student/staff number in your message. If calling, please have your student/staff card ready.

  • Kanopy

    A unique collections of films including award-winning documentaries, training films and theatrical releases on every topic imaginable. Content can be searched or browsed.

  • Rhino House

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Provides access to thousands of animal and human motion clips.

    This resource is restricted to members of the University of Portsmouth

    You have two ways to access the login instructions:

    1. Contact the Library from any Library enquiry desk or by contacting us:

    2. Connect to the University VPN and use the link below:

    View restricted access information for resources

    To verify you are a University member, please use your university email account or include your student/staff number in your message. If calling, please have your student/staff card ready.

  • Visible Body Suite

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Visible Body is a 3D human body reference and study tool. Explore general anatomy, functional units, cross sections, muscle attachments, bony landmarks, muscle actions and more.

    To access this resource:

    • You must register for an account either on campus using a university PC or the University wifi, or if off campus register using the VPN.
    • Sign up with your University email address.
    • Once registered you can use your account to login off campus.
    • You must login on campus or via VPN every 150 days to revalidate your account.