Game Dev, Coding, Video Game Creation

Thanks to small class sizes, Digital Game Creation is a student-led program.

Below is a typical breakdown of a new student's experience:

‍

Week 1 - 2:

Computer skills assessment - Students make a pong-style game in Scratch following a worksheet allowing us to gauge the student's basic computer skills (typing on a keyboard, using a mouse, navigating windows, opening and saving projects, etc.)

*each class builds on skills learned in classes before (le. shading from September spills over into May projects) so annual registration is recommended for deeper learning)

‍

Week 3 - 6.

Scratch games - Students will explore the capabilities of the Scratch programming language by creating a variety of games (platformers, shooters, drawing, interactive stories, simple animation) while learning about the fundamental concepts of programming and logic (if/then, and/or/not, loops, variables,

functions, operators, etc.)

‍

Week 7 - 11:

RPG Maker - Students will be introduced to the

RPG Maker MV game engine and create a short

RPG. They will learn about databases, sprites and sprite sheets, story structure, battle design, event-ing, and level design.

‍

Week 12 - 14

Introduction to additional programs/resources

- For those that want to explore more advanced tools we'll cover Photoshop basics, animation programs, and 3D modeling so students can create their own assets to bring into their games

‍

Week 15 - and second half to end

Based on the student's interests they'll focus on creating their own game using what they learned with support from the teacher while exploring more in-depth methods. Such as advanced game physics, Al, 3-D ray casting in Scratch, or using Plugins and scripting in RPG maker to add additional functions, special effects, weather/atmosphere, and unique skills.

‍

These class elements will cover:‍