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Courses

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

18 weeks

Overview

Middle School Game Design 1b: Creating A Game

Building upon the prior prerequisite course, students will further advance their knowledge of game design by taking this course. Delving into the development process, students will create details and add component pieces in a game while learning to prototype, troubleshoot, and test. Additionally, exploring how to critique a game and advertise it will strengthen the student’s ability to create a fully functioning game from start to finish.

Course Requirements

Basics:
Video recording device
Word processing

Software:
Scratch (requires login)
Lunapic
Leshy SFMaker

Optional:
Drawing software

Major Topics and Concepts

Unit 1: Get Building!
Describe the three main phases of the game development process.
Make, refine, and implement a checklist plan for the development of a game.
Use programming knowledge of conditional statements and loops to develop a functioning game.
Design backdrops and trigger them appropriately.

Unit 2: Kick It Up a Notch
Use backdrops to implement level changes.
Create an enemy sprite to add difficulty to the game.
Define various terms related to improving the game.
Produce a list of enhancements that could be implemented in the next unit.

Unit 3: Give Your Game Some Swagger
Make a paper prototype of your game.
Choose two lanes of possible improvements.
Understand and apply the troubleshooting process.
Implement four improvements in your game.

Unit 4: Cater to Your User
Discuss the basic elements of a user interface.
Explain how games can be made more user-friendly.
Design a wireframe layout.
Create user interface elements in Scratch.

Unit 5: Squash the Bugs!
Identify the stages of testing.
Write and implement a test plan.
Critique games in a constructive way.
Categorize, prioritize, and implement critiques on your game.

Unit 6: The Finish Line
Understand the options and limitations of Scratch publishing.
Describe other game engines and platforms used in game design.
Explore jobs inside and outside the gaming industry.
Relate game design to the fashion, simulation, architecture, movies, TV, and military industries.

Credits .5

Competencies

Game Development and Increasing Game Difficulty
Students will demonstrate an understanding of game development and increasing game difficulty by describing and applying the game development process, using programming skills, and explaining and applying difficulty to a game.
Troubleshooting and Improvements
Students will demonstrate an understanding of game troubleshooting and improvement by creating a paper prototype of a game, describing and applying the troubleshooting process, and identifying and implementing game improvements.
User Experience and Interface
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the user experience and interface by describing and creating user interface elements, designing a wireframe layout, and explaining how games can be made more user-friendly.
Game Testing and Critiques
Students will demonstrate an understanding of game testing and critiques by identifying the stages of game testing, writing and implementing a test plan, critiquing games, and applying critiques.
Game Industry and Careers
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the game industry and careers by describing game engines and platforms used in game design and publishing, summarizing the connection of game design in various industries, and explaining careers associated with the game design industry.

Pre-Requisites

MS Game Design 1a

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Middle School Game Design 1b