1. Technical
Skills
- Programming
through a drag-n-drop method
- Programming
by writing code using GML & C#
- Follow
technical and increasingly complex programming instructions in order and detail
- Program
original game projects
- Use
digital design resources and color theory to draw and animate sprites, objects,
platforms, backgrounds and loops
- Become
familiar and competent in using game engines (Game Maker & Unity); open
files, save files, create and program original material, integrate separate
files into a final game project, create and edit audio sound effects &
music
- Technical
writing; user instructions, game directions, game rules and document
development process within a development team
2. Creative,
Innovative & Critical Thinking
- Learn
steps of the engineering design cycle (discover- evaluate, design- evaluate,
develop-evaluate, deliver- evaluate) and how it works as a practical problem
solving method
- Use
gained technical skills to improve game programs
- Use
gained technical skills to create, design & program original working games
- Troubleshoot
existing game programs to fix bugs and ensure performance
- Test
fellow classmate’s games to ensure performance
- Perform
self-evaluations of projects against the required established directives
- Perform
evaluations of classmate’s projects against the required established directives
- Develop
a marketing plan for original programmed game to include; target audience,
current competition, delivery options, product pricing, logo design and
strategy to spend budgeted funds
3. Communication
& Collaboration
- Form
game development groups to achieve directive of creating original game
- Assign
tasks to members of development group to achieve directive of creating an
original game
- Use
the engineering design cycle within the development team to achieve directive
of creating original game
- Project
management; students will have opportunity to lead a development team, assign
tasks, evaluate progress, facilitate communication among team members and
ensure that project is completed within time deadline
- Conduct
two in-class presentations including demonstration of original game
4. Using
Digital Research Tools
- Use
appropriate internet websites to gather and analyze research on a variety of
subjects including; game development, marketing statistics, color and design
theory, post-secondary education options and careers in game development &
technology
- Use
appropriate wiki’s and blogs to engage other (distance) users of Game Maker
& Unity for research, ideas and help
5. Engineering,
Physics & Math
- Learn
how the process used in designing and developing software can be applied to
other design and development projects like bridges, buildings and machines
- Learn
how basic physics concepts like gravity, acceleration, velocity, speed,
trajectory, Newton’s Laws of Motion, force & elasticity are used in game
development
- Use
required mathematical techniques to perform physics calculations in determining
how physics is used in gaming compared to the real world
- Use
knowledge of math & physics to evaluate behavior in games in the “virtual
world” as compared to the “real world”
6. Further
Career, STEM & Post-secondary Education Options
- Research
how technical & communication skills used in game design translate to other
technology industries and businesses
- Research
required post-secondary diplomas, certificates & degrees needed to gain
employment in game development and other technology based industries
- Research
career trends, wage data and employment opportunities in game development and
technology based industries
