5.3 Game Choices 

TEACHER RESOURCES:

Standards

• • CSTA 2-AP-10: Use flowcharts and/or pseudocode to address complex problems as algorithms.

  • CSTA 2-AP-11: Create clearly named variables that represent different data types and perform operations on their values.

CSTA 

Preview Pong Game.   Slides  /  Student page.   As a game designer, how would you make the game more fun?  Why would that improve the game play?
Show the students how to add a variable, name it and increment it.  Handout 

Day 1: Add a variable to make a game more fun      Handout Page 1-2

Students use their game designing skills to enhance a game by adding a variable that makes the game fun and competitive. 
General ideas:

• Jump :  Add 3 lives, when it gets to zero, game stops.

• Pong:   First reduce speed so that it is is playable.  Increase score each time you hit the paddle. When it hits the red line either end game or reduce lives. 

• Catch:  Add apple counter. End game when you basket is full - apple count)  or time is up.

• Whack-a-Gobo:  Add fish counter. End game when you reach  fish limit or time is up. 

As designers. students can choose to add more than one variable, eg a countdown variable. They could also add visual and audio feedback for their game.  

Day 2 : Enhance your game.   Handout Page 3 

Your students are the game designer. Let them add  bells and  whistles to their game. 
eg. Display a text sprite to say the game is over.  This sprite is initially hidden,  when "end game"message is broadcast, the sprite is revealed. 

Examples of enhancements made to  starter games projects:                 Jump            Pong      PongSpeed      Catch.         Whack-a-Gobo.          Maze

Close-Out    (5 minutes)

Discuss the following questions:  

• • What is one improvement you wanted to add, but couldn't figure out how to?

  • How would you improve one of the games you didn't pick.