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?
Spotlight a problem you, a friend, or family member is facing
Bring to life an exciting story, dream or fantasy you've imagined
Tell a story that encourages positive change you'd like to see in your life, school, town, world.
Choose seats in the front 2 rows so
advanced students don't distract us!
► WEEK 1 INTRO
► Class Guide : REVIEW >> CLASS TIPS/GUIDE with QUIZ (SCHOOLOGY)
► Making Your First Game videos 1-3 (with QUIZ) on Extra Credits
► Because Games Matter + Pick Fav & REPORT
YOUR PATH : TEMPLATES vs TUTORIALS
TEMPLATES:
Replace assets, level re-design, minimal code/script help
"I'll help you trouble shoot but likely not adding additional mechanics"
TUTORIALS (FROM SCRATCH):
Coding/scripting tutorials, full teacher assistance with code/script
Games made by 1 person + Play Undertale or Cave Story on Q:\
Evolution of Video Games
► WEEK 2 WRITING
Make a personally meaningful, original, Choose Your Own Adventure (or Kinetic Novel) using one of the following:
Storyboard - make public - PLAY - link
my friend's exampleTwine (file)
Storyplotter (link)
Google Slides (link)
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
► 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...
Plan your game concept
platformer? adventure? mechanics? story? theme? art style?Create a FOLDER for all the pieces
(right-click on desktop >> NEW >> FOLDER)
REMEMBER the engine moves, scales, rotatesWhen done, drag the pieces into a GOOGLE DRAWING
and assemble a demo levelSUBMIT a SHARE LINK of the GOOGLE DRAWING
Pixelorama
also installed on the lab desktops in the C:\C11 folder
Pixelorama tutorial, Vids
Piskelapp
PiskelappTutorial Series
Can't draw?
Analog to Digital:
184 ARTSY GAMES
14 Artsy Games
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
Place them in your previous game art folder
SUBMIT the 10 sound files in SCHOOLOGY
SOUND EFFECTS:
CHIPTONE, JFXR, SOUND DEV X, SFXR, LESHYLABS
MUSIC:
FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE, UPPBEAT.IO
MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC!!!
(bring your own WIRED headphones for this option!) And use one of the following:
Bandlab : PROJECT - DOWNLOAD - MIXDOWN as MP3
Beepbox : FILE - EXPORT SONG - WAV or MP3
Beepbox TutorialOnlinesequencer (account) Export MP3
Google Music Lab (Settings: 16 bars) SAVE as WAV
► Week 6 - 7 GDevelop NEW! Teacher Fav!
Top Games | Making BANK | Make a rogue-like | Top games on itch.io
Top Games | Making BANK | Make a rogue-like | Top games on itch.io
Use the online cloud version or desktop installed APP
Pick a Tutorial [Academy, Wiki] or TEMPLATE and switch out the graphics with those from your previous ART Sprite Sheet assignment and completely redecorate, also add sound and music from your previous SOUND assignment.
PUBLISH and SUBMIT PLAY LINK
Platform template for desktop version HERE
Student examples: Ethan Toomey, Carson Faller
Teacher GDevelop Collab Projects:
Surrenderman, Wizard, Beasties, SpaceForceExam
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 8 - 9 FUSION (already installed)
Five Nights at Freddy's , Freedom Planet , The Escapists , Baba Is You
Five Nights at Freddy's , Freedom Planet , The Escapists , Baba Is You
CHOOSE TEMPLATE or TUTORIAL path
HERE is my 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.
More teacher FUSION templates HERE
Template Video | 100's of examples: NIVRAM'sTUTORIALS: almightyzentaco , Clickteam
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
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
Create an account and click the email activation
Watch Intro tutorial
Check Public, Save game, Click new link, copy the share link in the address bar of the new tab and SUBMIT (CREATE TAB) via Schoology
EXAMPLES: Mr Severson BONUS! : Little Adventure : Massacre : Dungeon Fighter
More tutorials can be found HERE.
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
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!
ARTISTS : Complete JUNGLE JUMP: MAKE-IT YOUR OWN REPLACE with ORIGINAL graphics, change theme and level layout. SUBMIT SHARE LINK
CODERS: Complete 2 of THESE 3 LESSONS with ORIGINAL GRAPHICS change theme and level layout. SUBMIT SHARE LINK
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:
ARTISTS : 2D Game Kit or FUNGUS (manually install the UNITY PACKAGE)
CODERS : 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:
ARTISTS : DOWNLOAD-UNZIP-HACK THIS 2D PLATFORM TOOLKIT >> (Tutorial)
CODERS : ULTIMATE, How to Create an RPG, 2D Dodge the Creeps , 3D Game
Complete the 4 tutorials: Tour, Programming, Drawing, Create a Game
Create an original mini-game using the additional tutorials
FINAL PROJECT!!!
[Weeks 15 -18]
[Weeks 15 -18]
Decide on your project. Remember SCOPE
Create a Google Site project portfolio
>>> EXAMPLE <<<
PUBLISH & SUBMIT the SHARE LINK NOWMUST have
Project description/promotional style home page
a weekly update page
a bio page with an itch.io site link
SORRY, BUT NO
Blocksmith Parkour, unless it's an original detailed city scape, using 3rd Person Camera, and NO library objects.
RPG PLAYGROUND FREE VERSION for your FINAL PROJECT, you must have a PREMIUM ACCOUNT to access all ADVANCED features. This is usually a one time fee of ONLY $4 to the teacher (EDU DISCOUNT) or $20 to RPGPlayground.
OTHERWISE, USE RPG MAKER VX ACE LITE (Installed on your class computer (C:\C11\RPGMakerVXAceLite\RPGVXAceLite.exe - RIGHT-CLICK FILE and SEND TO DESKTOP SHORTCUT)
Using GDevelop? Maybe go with the Silver subscripton Only $5!
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP TEST (SCHOOLOGY) During FINALS WEEK