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How do you design a video game?
Greetings! I'm Ms. Tipton at the International Community School. My 3rd graders have a few questions and I'd like to share your advice with them. Thanks in advance!
#gaming #video-game-design
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4 answers
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Joe’s Answer
I've been designing video games for a few years now including games for mobile devices, Smart TVs, consoles (i.e Xbox/Playstation) and laptops. Designing a video game starts with a just idea of a game that you think will be fun for people to play on the device that you are designing it for. Most of the time that idea can come from another video game that you played in the past or even a made up game that you and your friends have played together. Once you have the idea at a high level, you need to write out the rules, gameplay, visual assets and audio assets you think that you would use for you game. This will help you think through the next step which is to build a simple prototype or demo of your idea. If you are in the 5th grade or younger, one recommended platform for building a simple version of your game is on as platform named Scratch. Here is a link to the platform:
https://scratch.mit.edu
Once you have outlined your demo of you game, you should test it out with your friends and family to get their thoughts. This is called user testing. Once your ready take your demo to the next level you can use a more advanced tool like Game Salad which lets you make more realistic looking games to play:
https://gamesalad.com
Finally if you want to games that look more professional with fancy graphics, then a tool like Unity 3d or UnReal is what you would use:
https://unity.com
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/
Both of these will require more of a learning curve so using YouTube or their websites to learn from example games will help you learn to build the video game of your dreams.
Write down your game idea
Create the game walkthrough in Scratch
Show your idea to your friends and family for feedback
Revise your idea based on the feedback
Build the game in a game development platform using videos and tutorials found on YouTube or the platform website
https://scratch.mit.edu
Once you have outlined your demo of you game, you should test it out with your friends and family to get their thoughts. This is called user testing. Once your ready take your demo to the next level you can use a more advanced tool like Game Salad which lets you make more realistic looking games to play:
https://gamesalad.com
Finally if you want to games that look more professional with fancy graphics, then a tool like Unity 3d or UnReal is what you would use:
https://unity.com
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/
Both of these will require more of a learning curve so using YouTube or their websites to learn from example games will help you learn to build the video game of your dreams.
Joe recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Bhumip’s Answer
Hi, Thanks and the best way to start is with thinking about how you would make the avatars (animated characters) and automate the operations (the moves) based on the rules.
Yes, you can start with a simplified version, e.g., one/two avatars and simple rules (based on what you know and expect) for the moves.
A simple scratch book based on your thoughts on characters and moves is helpful too.
Then, you can add complexity (complicated moves) based on the directions you want to take it.
These days many sensory, input and display devices are available.
Keyboard, mouse, video screen are the basic devices.
However, may other handheld and wearables (wrist, head, arm, shoulder, eye, ankle, etc.) can be used to control the moves. And, the visualization of the displays can occur with and without physical screens as well.
It's your creation.
Your imaginations are the limits.
Looks forward to additional thoughts/suggestions and play the video games developed by your third graders in future.
Thank and all my Best.
Yes, you can start with a simplified version, e.g., one/two avatars and simple rules (based on what you know and expect) for the moves.
A simple scratch book based on your thoughts on characters and moves is helpful too.
Then, you can add complexity (complicated moves) based on the directions you want to take it.
These days many sensory, input and display devices are available.
Keyboard, mouse, video screen are the basic devices.
However, may other handheld and wearables (wrist, head, arm, shoulder, eye, ankle, etc.) can be used to control the moves. And, the visualization of the displays can occur with and without physical screens as well.
It's your creation.
Your imaginations are the limits.
Looks forward to additional thoughts/suggestions and play the video games developed by your third graders in future.
Thank and all my Best.
Updated
Niranjan’s Answer
There is a website Codecademy.com. It is a great resource for all learning all kinds of programming skills. Many of which may be used to create video games. The link below on codecademy is specific to designing video games.
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/paths/create-video-games-with-phaser
As an educator Ms. Tipton you can also get free pro membership for your students at this site. See below.
https://www.codecademy.com/student-center
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/paths/create-video-games-with-phaser
As an educator Ms. Tipton you can also get free pro membership for your students at this site. See below.
https://www.codecademy.com/student-center
Updated
Bonnie’s Answer
Learn to design video games online.
I recommend you learn Python
Visit Udacity.com and take some of their free courses.
Udacity has Nanodegree programs that will put you to work creating video games right away
Bonnie recommends the following next steps: