Game Star Mechanics

Introduction

Think about your favorite game, that cool website, or the app that makes your life easier. What do they all have in common? They were brainstormed, coded, and refined just like you would research, write, and rewrite a research paper for your teacher. Programmers don't use magic to create the wonderful and exciting games and apps that you use. They use coding languages like Python, Ruby, and Scratch. These languages can be learned--you don't have be genius to learn how to code. Watch the video at the top of the screen and ;carefully listen to what these people have to say about coding.

Learning Objectives

When you have completed this Thing you will:

1.  Know the key elements of a game.

2. Understand that programming is a skill that can be learned by anyone. 

3. Create a game in Gamestar Mechanic and use simple visual coding techniques to try programming. 

4.    Meet an international technology standard for Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen and Innovative   Designer.

Part 1

When you create, what inspires you? Where do you get your ideas? How does it make you feel? These questions have different answers for everyone. No one is inspired in the same way, by the same experiences or emotions.

Assignment

1.  Watch this movie clip about a young inventor named Thomas Suarez.  While viewing the video clip, think about what inspired Thomas.  

2.  Choose two innovators from the list below and click on their link to learn more about them. As you read and/or listen to the articles, keep in mind the questions below. 

·         Zora Ball

·         Robert Nay 

·         Mark Bao

·         Brian Wong, Wikipedia article & Interview with Brian Wong

·         William Legate

3. Open up a new Google Document and answer the questions below (in complete sentences) and share your document with your teacher when you are done:

 1.    Title your document Innovators

 2.    Who did you research for Innovator #1

 3.    What did they invent/create/design?

 4.    Why do you think their creation is relevant to the topic of “game design”?

 5.    Who did you research for Innovator #2

 6.    What did they invent/create/design?

 7.    Why do you think their creation is relevant to the topic of “game design”?

 8.    If you were to create something technology related, what would it be?

 9.    Describe it.

 10.  Share your document with your teacher.

Part 2

Introduction

Gamestar Mechanic is an online program where users can design, create, test, and publish their own video games. Users can also play video games created by others and give feedback on the games they play. In this Quest, you will learn concepts about the elements of a game, find out how to create a balance of fun and challenge in a game, design your own game and get feedback from your classmates on your design.

Key Vocabulary

Avatar: The digital representation of a physical person in a virtual world or game.

Component/Sprite:  A physical part of a game, such as a character, a block, or an object.

Mechanics/Costume: An action an avatar can take in a game, such as jumping, collecting, exploring, etc.

Space/Stage: The area in which the game is being played; the whole scene.

Assignment

1. Watch THIS introduction to Gamestar videoand then you will exit out of everything, go to your desktop and click on the Gamestar Mechanic Icon.   If you do not have Gamestar installed, click here to download GameStar Mechanic.

2. Complete a series of lessons at the direction of your teacher to learn about game design (not coding). You will learn through Quests, earn sprites, and badges. 

**The introduction to Gamestar Mechanic will take you through a series of four Quests and five lessons to teach you the elements of successful game design and have you design a game to share with your friends.

You can create and publish your own games, and get feedback from others.

3. Create your first game and share it with classmates for feedback before you turn it in.

Part 3

Introduction

Learning to code is not just for geeks! Coding is a way for you to design, create, and express yourself while solving problems, creating games, and having fun. There are many opportunities in the field of computer science that students can consider when looking at careers. Website design, app creation, business management and many other fields have jobs that require some understanding of computer code. So what are you waiting for? Let’s have some fun and crack the code!

Key Vocabulary

Computer program: a sequence of instructions, written in computer code, that performs a specific task on a computer.

Code: the language of computer programming. There are a number of kinds of computer languages or codes. 

Assignment

1. Go to the Code.org site. 

2. Check with your teacher about whether or not you are going to sign up for an account. At the top of the page are the modules for the "Hour of Code." Follow your teacher's directions for which module or modules you are going to work on.

3. Notify your teacher when you complete your task by taking a screen shot of your finished product.

4. Upload or post it as your teacher directs. If you finish early, your teacher may allow you to try another one of the modules from the "Hour of Code."

Want to learn more? There are 20 hour beginner courses at this site that you can work on to increase your knowledge of coding!