Video Game Dev with Godot

Learning Godot

Game Design

Game Development

About | mō

This course is your ticket to letting your creativity soar and turning your ideas for games into reality. Whether you want to be a game maker, an artist who loves making things look cool, or just someone who enjoys playing games and wonders how they're created, you're in the right place.

Throughout Term 2 (in class) and 3 (outside of class), you'll go on an exciting adventure to learn all about making games using Godot, a super-helpful and free game-making tool that's great for beginners and experts. We'll explore how to tell stories, design game levels, create characters, and more, all while thinking about the cool and creative ideas that come from New Zealand, a lively center for making games.

~ BIG IDEAS IN GAME DESIGN and DEVELOPMENT ~

The discipline of Digital Technologies embodies whanaungatanga. Outcomes are made by people, for people, within cultural, social, and environmental contexts

It's all about creating connections and relationships. In the world of video game design, this idea is essential. Games are made by people, like artists, programmers, and storytellers, for people like you, within unique cultural, social, and environmental settings. The characters, stories, and worlds in video games reflect the creativity, values, and perspectives of their creators. When you play a game, you're connecting with the minds and cultures behind it.

Digital outcomes are created for a purpose by following established processes

This connects to the idea that digital outcomes are made by following established processes. Game designers follow a series of steps to bring their ideas to life. They plan, sketch, program, and test their games to make sure they work well. These processes help ensure that the games serve a purpose, whether it's to entertain, educate, or tell a powerful story.

The discipline of Digital Technologies embodies auahatanga. Outcomes solve problems and enhance and expand human possibilities.

Video games are more than just fun and entertainment. They can challenge your problem-solving skills, enhance your creativity, and let you experience amazing worlds and adventures you might not encounter in real life. Video games are like interactive stories that empower you to make choices, overcome challenges, and explore your potential.

All digital technologies are underpinned by algorithms and computer science principles

These are the secret codes that make the digital world tick. In video games, algorithms help determine how characters move, how the environment behaves, and how the game responds to your actions. Understanding these principles can unlock the door to endless possibilities in creating and enjoying games.

~ OVERVIEW | Tirohanga ~

The course starts with Term 1's python course. Python is the world's number one programming language and is used extensively by high school and University courses to teach programming. It is also the basis for Godots GDScript so the skills are very transferable. So it's a great place to start. This course will teach and assess Python against AS92004 worth 5 Credits in term 4 for your Godot Game Project.

At the beginning of term 2 you will then begin learning to use the Game Engine Godot. You will make 2 games and a small art portfolio as pre-assessment over the course of Term 2.

National Game Jam Opportunity!

An optional element of this course is for you to be involved in a nationwide game jam. A game jam is a time-limited event where people come together to create video games. The goal is to develop a game prototype based on a theme or set of constraints, fostering creativity and rapid game development. The theme for the year-long game jam will be announced DATE TBC and then you will have until the DATE TBC to finish your game. Your Game will then be judged by the whole country based on "Gameplay", "Aesthetics", and "Juiciness".

Note: With the development, this should be done in 4-week sprints. When these occur in Term 3/4 will depend on several factors including, tournament week, school-derived grade exams, and any other school events. There will be opportunities for feedback at the end of the sprint jam.

~ TIMELINE ~

~ COURSE MATERIAL ~

Go Learn >>>

Unit 1: Learning to Make Video Games in Godot

(approximately 6 weeks)

Using the game engine Godot you will learn to make simple 2d video games either a 2D platformer or a top down shooter

Go Design >>>

Unit 2: Game Design

(approximately 4 weeks)

In this unit, you'll research and use the principles of manakitanga and kaitiakitanga to develop the design considering the target audience, the wider audience, and the purpose of the game. You'll develop refined artwork, color palettes, and level mockups to clearly meet your requirements and the needs of others. You can use your own graphics or free graphics from 🔗OpenGameArt or 🔗ich.io.

Go Participate >>>

Unit 3: Game Jam/Development/ Outcome

(approximately 5 weeks - OPTIONAL)

Using your knowledge of Video Game Design students will now make their own game in 3 sprints of 4 weeks with feedback at the end of each. This unit will optionally wrap up with a nationwide friendly competition to find the best game made this year!

Important Software Notes!

All the tutorials below use Godot 4. If you are using 3.5 then please utilize other resources.
This course utilizes itch.io for playtesting purposes which our school may or may not allow ~ TO BE CONFIRMED.
Using Godot 4, to export it in an HTML playable state you must make your game in compatibility mode at the moment. It will also not work on macOS computers. Godot 3.5 currently has better HTML support but is missing a lot of the other features. For a full explanation check out the 🔗current docs or list of 🔗current HTML 5 issues on GitHub.
Godot works on Android, Linux, MacOS, Windows, and even an experimental HTML build.