Game design

Introduction to Computer Game Design Workshop

Duration: 3 hours

Workshop Overview: This workshop aims to introduce beginners to the fundamentals of computer game design using relevant software tools. Participants will learn basic game design principles, explore different aspects of game development, and create a simple interactive game prototype. By the end of the session, each participant will have completed a basic game prototype using selected game design software.

Workshop Structure:

1. Introduction to Game Design (15 minutes)

   • Welcome and introduction to the workshop.

   • Brief overview of game design principles and the game development process.

   • Introduction to relevant game design software options such as Unity, GameMaker Studio, or Scratch.

2. Understanding Game Mechanics (45 minutes)

   • Activity: Analyzing simple game mechanics of popular games (e.g., platformers, puzzles, simulations) (20 minutes).

   • Demonstration: Introduction to basic game mechanics and elements (e.g., player controls, objectives, obstacles) (10 minutes).

   • Hands-on Practice: Participants brainstorm and sketch ideas for their own simple game mechanics (15 minutes).

3. Game Design Software Exploration (60 minutes)

   • Overview of selected game design software options (Unity, GameMaker Studio, or Scratch).

   • Demonstration: Basic features and functionalities of the chosen software (20 minutes).

   • Hands-on Practice: Participants explore the software interface and begin creating their game prototypes following provided tutorials or templates (40 minutes).

4. Designing Game Levels and Assets (30 minutes)

   • Activity: Planning and designing game levels and assets using built-in tools or simple graphics software (e.g., GIMP, Inkscape) (20 minutes).

   • Demonstration: Tips for designing effective game levels and creating game assets (10 minutes).

5. Adding Interactivity and Gameplay (45 minutes)

   • Activity: Implementing basic interactivity and gameplay elements into the game prototype (e.g., player movement, collisions, scoring) (30 minutes).

   • Demonstration: Adding scripts or events to create interactive elements (15 minutes).

6. Testing and Iteration (30 minutes)

   • Activity: Playtesting and gathering feedback on the game prototype from peers (20 minutes).

   • Demonstration: Analyzing feedback and making iterative improvements to the game prototype (10 minutes).

7. Showcase and Feedback (15 minutes)

   • Participants showcase their completed game prototypes to the group.

   • Feedback and discussion on the game designs and development process.

8. Conclusion and Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

   • Recap of key concepts and skills learned during the workshop.

   • Resources for further learning and practice.

   • Closing remarks and encouragement for participants to continue exploring game design and development.

Goal: By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained basic proficiency in computer game design using relevant software tools such as Unity, GameMaker Studio, or Scratch. They will have completed a simple interactive game prototype showcasing their understanding of basic game design principles and development concepts.