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
MY CURRENT PROJECT / PAST COLLABS

EXPERIENCE the
WONDER and ELEGANCE
of CREATION

0.0 Class Guide
REVIEW >> CLASS TIPS/GUIDE with TEST  (SCHOOLOGY)

0.1 Digital Citizenship

You were probably hoping to get right into game design/development but in order to meet graduation requirements, we have to review Digital Citizenship.  But, we'll do it in a gameful way using SafeOnlineSurfing! 


How will you make your work in this class
PURPOSEFUL, PERSONAL, and MEANINGFUL?

1. ART
[2 Weeks 1-2]

Use Pixelorama to create a ~20 sprite collection to be used in your future game that includes main character, NPCs, environment pieces. (see example)
EXPLORE this game template
SUBMIT as a SHEET or ZIPPED folder with individual images.

Use the web version or the installed (C:\C11 folder)
Web tutorial, Vids

Can't draw?
Then download THIS GUIDE TEMPLATE & MPORT FROM PICTURE - SPRITESHEET 64x64,  add a 2nd layer, trace, delete first layer.  
FREE GRAPHIC SOURCES:
OPENGAMEART, TWO, THR, FOU, FIV, SIX, SEV,
PiskelappTutorial Series

2. Writing, Music, or Animating
[2 Weeks 3-4]

WRITING

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

For an A: 6 graphics (borrowed OK), 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">
PRO Student Example [TWINE YT HELP Playlist] [TWINE HELP GUIDE]

MUSIC

MUST bring your own WIRED headphones for this option!
You are mostly on your own with this option (except Chrome Song Maker). Create 5 original 30+ second music tracks (avoid repetition, randomness and single instruments) for your upcoming games.  Possible themes: Intro, boss, win, adventure, pastoral, etc. and use one of the following: 

ANIMATING

You are mostly on your own with this option but they come with excellent tutorials and examples.  

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

Image Hosting on IMGUR

3. RPG: Playground or Ace Lite
[2 Weeks 5-6] Make it personally meaningful!

For an A

Playground

If you are using (or plan to use) RPG PLAYGROUND seriously, 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 a measly $4 !!! Just provide me with your personal GMAIL (so you'll still have access after you graduate) and $4 and I'll have you UPGRADED ASAP! 

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! 

WOLF

FREE COMMUNITY EDITION!!!
 ALL THE POWER OF THE FULL RPGMAKER but not as pretty.
Installed on your class computer in C:\C11 or ask the teacher to install


4. FUSION, GDevelop, or Construct
[3 Weeks 7-9] Make it personally meaningful!

FUSION (already installed)
Five Nights at Freddy's , Freedom Planet , The Escapists , Baba Is You
HERE is the *.mfa TEMPLATE with Zelda/Platformer/Asteroid examples.  Pick one and delete the other 2. Replace the graphics and sounds with your own and completely redecorate adding extra functionality.
 Teacher  FUSION templates  HERE
Template Video ::: 100's of examples:  NIVRAM's 

GDEVELOP  (download for Windows & install)
Top games made | Making BANK | MAKE A ROGUE-LIKE
Pick a STARTER or EXAMPLE and Switch out the graphics with those from the previous Piskel Sprite Sheet assignment and completely redecorate, also adding your own music.
 Teacher GDevelop template HERE
EXAMPLE: ETHAN TOOMEY, CARSON FALLER

CONSTRUCT (Create account & INSTALL)
TOP GAMES MADE
Pick TOP DOWN SHOOTER or PLATFORMER
Switch out the graphics with those from the previous Piskel Sprite Sheet assignment and completely redecorate, also adding your own music.

FREE ART, MUSIC, SOUND
OPENGAMEART, TWO, THR, FOU, FIV, SIX, SEV,
FREE simple SOUND EFFECTS
FREE MUSIC
BEST MUSIC BY FORMER STUDENTS!!!
MORE FREE MUSIC

FREE YT MUSIC 

5. BlocksmithVR, 3D Model, or Voxels
[2 Weeks 10-11]

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!
TEACHER EXAMPLES: MARS, WEIRD, Multiplayer template

Tinkercad to create an animated Original Character following the instructions >>HERE<<

Voxel Art / Animation
MAGICAVOXEL [VIDS] or
 RPG-in-a-Box  [TUTS]  use Windows Demo
 

6. UNITY, GODOT, MCA, or mS
[3 Weeks 12-14]
Using one of the following tools, EASE into game coding... or not!

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:

CODE: Flarpy Blorb

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:

Make Code Arcade

microStudio

FINAL Project!

FINAL Project PLAN!
[4 Weeks 15 -18]

DECISION TIME...
PLAN your FINAL Project based on a previous lesson or something new. 

REAL PROJECTS

END OF COURSE!

MISCELLANEOUS

TWINE AUDIO??? direct links HERE
Audio CODE:
<audio autoplay controls>
 <source src="https://direct link.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
</audio>

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

ULTIMATE GAME WRITING TOOL THANKS HAYLEE!
GAME WRITING
MORE GAME WRITING