A scaffolding approach to teaching video game design without any previous knowledge. Start with easy software and build your first game with PowerPoint. Then transition skills to more difficult software without needing coding. Finally, add in computer programming and industry standard software.
1. Creating a Game
Design Sequence
with Industry Certification
D. Michael Ploor
Teacher and Author
Hillsborough County Public Schools and Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
traderdenon1@live.com
5. Character development,
symbolism, storyboards
Environmental
Design, Cultural Symbolism
and Semiotics
Gravity, Force, Friction,
Physics and Ballistics
Social
Science
Science
English
Geometry, Trigonometry,
Probability, Fractions
and Graphing
Math
Digital Design
Color, Contrast, Elements of
Art, Principles of Design
Other
STEM
Elective
Platform
Game Design
9. High School
Career Academy of Computer Game Design
Year 1
Game Foundations
Industry Certification:
Word, PowerPoint, Outlook,
Adobe Illustrator
Year 2
Game Composition
Industry Certification:
Flash, Photoshop, Excel, Access
MTA Game Developer or App Dev
Year 3
2D and 3D Animation
Industry Certification:
Autodesk Maya,
Adobe Dreamweaver, Premiere
Year 4
AP Computer Science
College Credit with passing
AP test score
Unity 3D Certification*
* Available Soon
10. Integrate into Other Courses
1 Year
Video Game Design
Foundations
Create 12+ Online and
PC Games
Semester
Introduction to Video
Game Design
Freeware used to design
and program games
15 or 20 day Integration
Introduction to Video
Game Design
One game build
45 day Integration
Introduction to Video
Game Design
4 game projects and
Capstone build
11. Industry Certifications
•MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist)
•Adobe Certified Associate (Photoshop and
Illustrator)
•Adobe Certified Associate (FLASH and
Dreamweaver)
•Autodesk Certification (3D Studio Max or Maya)
•Microsoft Technology Associate Game
Developer
•Microsoft Technology Associate App Developer
•Unity 3D (Available Soon)
12. AP Credits
•AP Computer Science Principles (2016-17)
www.csprinciples.org
•AP Computer Science A
13. Basic Curriculum Design
• Start Simple
(foundation skills)
• Scaffold in Learning
(apply foundation skills in
different software or project)
• Build Complexity
(combine skills and team
projects)
14. Successfully Motivating Classroom Audience
Make it FUNIntegrate Student Interest
Build from one success to another
Animations
Character Development
Drawing
Games
Creating - - not just doing!
Student becomes unteachable
Students become independent
15. Integrating Office Technology
•PowerPoint Games
(Quiz show and Maze)
•Microsoft Word Asset construction
(2D and 3D; Design Documents)
•Microsoft Excel Games
(Crossword ,Tic-Tac-Toe, Battleship)
•Microsoft Paint or Open Office Draw
•Microsoft Clip Art
•Microsoft Sound Editor or Audacity
•Create Presentations, Brochures, Letters, Charts
using Office products for marketing
19. Basic Game Design
• Game Environment
(Pieces needed)
• Rules
(Interactivity, Obstacles, etc)
• Victory Condition
(Goal and Reward)
20. Activity 3-4:Physical Dexterity Puzzle
Objective: Students will be able to construct a simple puzzle game. Students will
demonstrate hyperlink and mouse over game features. Students will use a
variety of tools to build games. Students will understand the benefits of a
physical dexterity training game.
Situation: The Really, Really Cool Game Company needs to create a few puzzle
games to teach users how to correctly use a stylus (digital pen) on a handheld
organizer. Your team will create a prototype sample puzzle to test the concept of a
hand-eye coordination training game.
Each team member will create a different maze concept.
28. Start on Monday
• Microsoft Office
Specialist (MOS)
• 3 to 4 hours of activities
• Explores content and
covers essentials
New!
Office 2013
Practice Test
included*
* Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access
29. Test on Friday
Based on 50 min class time
• Word
• PowerPoint
• Excel
• Access
• Outlook
30. Start Week 1 Monday
• Adobe Certified Associate
(ACA)
• 8 to 12 hours of activities
and reading
• Explores content and
covers essentials
• Lesson Review Questions
are the
review for
the exam
31. Test end of Week 2
• Photoshop
• Dreamweaver
• Flash
• Illustrator*
• InDesign*
* Coming Soon
32. Clickteam Software
•FREE to schools (The Games Factory 2 and MMF2)
•Object oriented programming
•Rapid Game Development
•Foundation for Visual Basic or C++
•Simple interface
•Step by step directions
•Builds as an executable file
•Build games as HTML 5, Android, iPhone, Xbox, etc.
•Post to your school website
•www.clickteam.com
33.
34. Play all of these
game samples
at
g-wlearning.com
Select the
Video Game Design
Option
Click on each book
to see Full Site.
Click to open each
chapter to find the
se games and more
63. UNITY 3D
•School version available with Unity 5
•Freeware version (students use at home only)
•Free tutorials with 3D models and art included
•Teaches programming
•Teaches physics
•Professional grade
•New Industry Certification Available Soon!
67. Social Media
•Students post games on social media
•Students market games on social media
•Students beta test using social media
•Students build portfolio
•Can extend to crowd funding sites
69. Insanity
• Insanity: doing the same thing over and over
again and expecting different results.
Read more:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/
a/alberteins133991.html#ixzz1KgH3jq4T
•Do not dumb down.
•Make the learning process simpler and more effective
•Reverse engineer from desired outcome
•Scaffold learning to achieve objectives
79. Learning Enhanced with
“Error Inclusion” Directions
Unlike other curriculum, I
find value in errors.
Without putting errors in
the directions, students
never learn how to
problem solve for the
solutions. That is why
common errors are left in
place, tested and then
explained how to fix. Next
time the students
encounters a similar error,
they will have tools to fix
the problem and not rely
on you to help.