Game Design 1


To be a valuable team member it is essential to be familiar with the various skills involved in a game project. You will likely prefer to be a writer, artist, designer, coder/dev or musician, but to have effective communication within your team requires an elementary knowledge and appreciation of all skill sets. So, you will be exposed to a variety of lessons designed to familiarize you with these various game project duties before choosing your BIG PROJECT.sjacobson (at) cdaschools.org
PAST COLLABS

EXPERIENCE the
WONDER and ELEGANCE of CREATION
How will you make your work in this class
PURPOSEFUL, PERSONAL, and MEANINGFUL?

Choose seats in the front 2 rows so
advanced students don't distract us!

WEEK 1  INTRO

WEEK 2  WRITING

Make a personally meaningful, original, Choose Your Own Adventure (or Kinetic Novel) using one of the following:

For an A: 6 graphics, 8+ sections with 400 words total


Twine is the choice of the professionals.
Text choice link code:  [[Words to click on->block name]]
Image code:  <img src="https://i.imgur.com/Di6yq04.jpg" width="300">
Audio CODE:
<audio autoplay controls>
<source src="https://direct link.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
</audio>
PRO Student Example [TWINE YT HELP Playlist] [TWINE HELP GUIDE]

"BUT I CAN'T WRITE!!!!!"
DO WHAT THE PROS DO! -> DERIVATIVE + DERIVATIVE = ORIGINAL
"BORROW" from the PUBLIC DOMAIN
or GPT

GAME WRITING
MORE GAME WRITING

To change Twine Formats...   
(Thanks Sarah!)

Image Hosting on IMGUR OR imageupload.io

Week 3 - 4 ART

For the upcoming GDevelop & Fusion (FNAF) engines
it's time to plan your game concept!
using your prefered graphic editor create a
20+ piece collection (PNG for transparent background)
that includes main character, NPCs, animations, projectiles, environment pieces...


Pixelorama 
also installed on the lab desktops in the C:\C11 folder
Pixelorama tutorial, Vids

Piskelapp
PiskelappTutorial Series


Can't draw? 

EXPLORE this Fusion game template to see how they are used

Week 5 SOUND

COLLECT (or MAKE) MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS for the upcoming GDevelop & Fusion (FNAF) engines using your game idea.
Create 5 sound effects and collect (or make) 5 30+ second music tracks that match your game theme, eg Intro, boss, win, adventure, pastoral


SOUND EFFECTS:  
CHIPTONE, JFXRSOUND DEV X, SFXR, LESHYLABS

MUSIC:  
FREE MUSIC ARCHIVEUPPBEAT.IO

MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC!!!
(bring your own WIRED headphones for this option!) And use one of the following: 

Week 6 - 7 GDevelop NEW!  Teacher Fav!
      Top Games | Making BANK | Make a rogue-like | Top games on itch.io


Platform template for desktop version HERE
Student examples: Ethan Toomey, Carson Faller
Teacher GDevelop Collab Projects:
Surrenderman, Wizard, Beasties, SpaceForceExam


REMINDER:

TEMPLATESminimal code/script help from teacher
"I'll help you trouble shoot but likely not adding additional mechanics"


TUTORIALS (FROM SCRATCH)full teacher assistance

Using GDevelop later for your project? 

Maybe upgrade to Silver tier Only $5!

Week 8 - 9  FUSION  (already installed)
    Five Nights at Freddy's , Freedom Planet , The Escapists , Baba Is You


REMINDER:

TEMPLATES =  minimal code/script help from teacher

"I'll help you trouble shoot but likely not adding additional mechanics"


TUTORIALS (FROM SCRATCH) =  full teacher assistance

WEEK 10 - 11  RPG

For an A: 4+ fully decorated maps with warps, advanced conversations with choices, Different music/ambient sounds for each map, Original title scene 

Playground

If you are using (or plan to use) RPG PLAYGROUND as your FINAL PROJECT, you must have a PREMIUM ACCOUNT to access all ADVANCED features.  This is usually a one time cost of $19 OR I can get you a HUGE EDUCATIONAL DISCOUNT for ONLY $4


ACE LITE

Installed on your class computer (C:\C11\RPGMakerVXAceLite\RPGVXAceLite.exe - RIGHT-CLICK FILE and SEND TO DESKTOP SHORTCUT).  This is the FREE version of the famous RPG Maker software that lets you import your own pixel art. It's the easiest and best RPG game design tool to use and highly addictive! 

Alternative: WOLF FREE COMMUNITY EDITION!!!

Week 12 - 13
3D with Blocksmith or UT2004

Blocksmith


BlocksmithXR - EASY VR/AR creation tool, already installed in C:\C11 folder. Be sure to create an account!  WEB VERSION  [CB]  runs on Chrome Book!


SUBMIT LINK : FILE-SAVE-SAVE >> PUBLIC PLAY 


EXAMPLES: MARS1, MARS2, WEIRD, Multiplayer template


UT2004


Click on This PC desktop icon and select Q drive,
thern open ___Mr. S Jacobson folder,
double-click INSTALL UNREAL TOURNAMENT
Notice the engine (PLAY) and editor (CREATE) links on the desktop
THANKS DAVID BARTLETT!!!

Complete this TUTORIAL series
SHOW teacher the finished level!

Week 14 MCA, UNITY, GODOT, or µStudio

Using one of the following tools, EASE into game coding... or not!

Make Code Arcade


UNITY (already installed and accessible through Unity Hub)
One of the more popular indie game development tools (create an account).
For NO-CODE option try one of the following:

GODOT (already installed in C:\C11\GODOT folder)
If you are looking for the next UNITY DISRUPTOR, GODOT is it!
Top Games Made with GODOT

CHOOSE one of the following:

µStudio

FINAL PROJECT!!!
[Weeks 15 -18]


DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP TEST (SCHOOLOGY) During FINALS WEEK


END OF COURSE!