Introduction to Game Design

This Course can be articulated to Mount Hood community college #CIS125GA

An introduction to traditional and electronic game design.

Students individually design and produce fully functional
games for Web and mobile, using industry standard games
engines and languages. Through guided projects, students
create a portfolio-level application of their own design,
demonstrating their understanding of programming
foundations, creating art for games and engine specific tool
sets.
*Topics include the application of the principles and elements of design to create electronic
interactive games that communicate ideas. Course will include game scripting, game engines,
motion control, narrative in games, game interfaces, scripting game documents and rules,
artificial intelligence vs. artificial stupidity, music and sound, game genre, social values and
interface issues of game development. . Game Maker starts with drag-n-drop programming, so
anybody familiar with Windows and using a mouse will be able to start creating games.
As the game projects get more complex, students will start writing code using GML along with
using the drag-n-drop functions. We purposely use Game Maker because it is a terrific tool for
the beginner; it produces results fast and gives students confidence and satisfaction that they
have created something.

General Course Goals/Outcomes:

1. Effectively use the principles and elements of design, pattern recognition and the use of color
and symbols in game play.
2. Design the game for the appropriate game genre and audience and differentiate between casual
games, serious games, strategy and chance
3. Learn game design applications and coding for appropriate game platforms.
4. Work as part of a team to evaluate, design, build, and test and revise games.
5. Learn technical skills related to software development, computer programming & graphic
design
2. Demonstrate creative, innovative & critical thinking
3. Communicate and collaborate as an individual and part of a team
4. Use appropriate and accessible digital tools for research and learning
5. Use, physics & mathematical concepts critical to game development
6. Investigate post-secondary and career options & resources related to STEM
1. Technical Skills
2. Programming through OOPS and GML coding methods
3. Create and use original audio files for a game.

4. Follow technical and increasingly complex programming instructions

5. Program original game projects
6. Use digital design resources and color theory to draw and animate sprites, objects, platforms,
backgrounds and loops
7. Create a Game Design Document.
8. Set up a project management system to establish a timeline for game development.
6. Demonstrate appropriate user Interface design, using color theory, age appropriateness, and
cultural cues.
7. Integrate storytelling and establishment of good plot and character development in a game
design.
8. Balance difficulty (challenge) with player motivation to create a play flow state in a game
design including a balanced risk/reward system within game design.
9. Understand the history of games and value to society.
10. Create a multi- leveled game experience.
11 Create original characters and back grounds using design theory and stylization.
12. Create various prototype or playable games using good game design techniques.
13. Discuss trends, challenges and necessary skills needed in game design.
14. Create a resource folder for game design and development elements.
Schedule of Work:
Week 1- Expectations, introductions to file
archiving and formats, Photoshop navigation,
forming teams and responsibilities. Game
testing for evaluation statistics.

Week 9- Design and build your own game.

Create all artwork in Photoshop. Create sound
files. Test , revise, complete
.

Week 2- Introduction to bug smash game.

Deconstruction and analysis of game..
Research- Designing new characters.
Photoshop painting techniques. Layers and
tools. Introduction to Game Maker software.
Navigation, icons, events & actions.

Week 10- Board game play and review.

Deconstruction and analysis of board games.
Plan and design new board game. Materials
and methods. How to work in teams.

Week 3- Editing sprites. Pixel ratio, screen

size, room size. Loading Sprites, attaching
objects, naming conventions, OOPs
programming. Play test-revise

Week 11- Finish and test play board games.

Analyze and discuss success and
improvements.

Week 4- Test play Dragon side shooter game.

Analyze and deconstruct programming. Begin
programming side scroll dragon shooter game.
Make a room, set score, move bugs, swap
sprites, add music, make a title screen Career

Week 12- Maze game: paly test game. Follow

directions to make game. Remix new version
and create new art for game.

search and review. Getinmedia.com

Week 5- Program game to work. Test, revise,
test again.
Make a remix with new goals and characters.

Week 13- Finish Maze game, test, revise

complete and export as executable. Test play
Sokoban game. Analyze and deconstruct
programming. Plan new game.

Week 6- Chase Game. Play test game,

deconstruct and analyze for strategy and
programming. Horror or fears themed game.
Research, sketch, plan, design program.

Week 14- Create artwork for Sokoban game.

Begin programming in Game maker.

Week 7- Use Photoshop to create room,

characters, traps, monsters and other sprites in
game. Collect or make audio. Connect objects
and set up events and actions for chase game

Week 15- Complete Sokoban game. Test and

revise. Complete all unfinished WACOM art.
Design a box cover for favorite game.

Week 8-. Test, revise complete chase game

Week 16- Collect and prepare artwork for

digital portfolio. Upload to webpage

Class critique techniques. Prepare game art for

personal digital portfolio

Grades will be based on participation, professionalism, effort, creativity, teamwork, and

finished projects.
C Grade =All work completed on schedule, participation in team efforts, and demonstrated
professionalism. Demonstration of the use of
B Grade= All work completed on schedule, participation in team efforts, and demonstrated
professionalism. Extra effort on creative design, artwork, and alternative strategies in game
design. A grade A= = All work completed on schedule, participation in team efforts, and
demonstrated professionalism. Documented help with problem solving for self and peers.
Exceptional game design artwork and programming. Complete game documents, and marketing
strategies.
Code of Conduct:
Respect: Others ideas and property. Respect school property. Respect others right to learn by
quietly listening to ideas and instructions.
Be ready to work at the bell. Stay on task and offer problem solving solutions.
On line or personal games will not be played without teacher permission.