This is a Club, not a Class
There’s no teacher’s favorite here. There’s no grading. It isn’t a race. ALL that’s important is that you learn how to create video games. Don’t feel rushed, like you have to finish all the courses in a month. Take your time, explore. If you have an idea in the middle of taking a lesson, stop and write it down. Saw something cool this week? Share it with us.
Major exception- if you see a member working hard on a lesson, don’t interrupt them. Please be respectful but you’re more than welcome to work together. It’s not cheating here. Except for quizzes, please do those on your own. Ask help from an instructor if you have trouble passing one.
Design Log
This is your notebook to keep ideas, notes, and passwords in. DO NOT LOSE IT.
Start making more notes. When an idea comes to you or you see a game do something cool, record it here. Journals keep normal day to day stuff, the Design Log should be a treasure of your game ideas.
PLAY MORE GAMES
To be a better writer, they say you should read more. To be a better game designer, play more games. It’s ok to keep playing your favorites, but spend some time on new games. This is the main way to get new ideas or experience new ways to play. You might even find new favorites.
How? If you have a tablet or phone, get new stuff frequently. Once a week download and play a new game. There’s also a few websites you can find free, new games to play.
- Itch.io – these might require download
- Steam – these all require download
- Kongregate.com – these are all online, some require a login
- Free game on Xbox, PS4, or other consoles
Rules
- Be nice. There’s a large age group in these classes. Age, grade, how tall you are- none of these matter to game design. Here we are all equals.
- Good manners are a requirement. No swearing, yelling, bodily functions, pushing, or whining.
- One person goes to the bathroom at a time. Knock the outside door before you enter. Close the second inside door behind you.
- No food or soda allowed in the club. If you want water it must have a top and be stored on the floor. DO NOT set drinks on the table.
- When working on the computer, keep working if you get stuck. Don’t sit and wait for help. That’s why we have the Help Chips.
- Don’t say something is stupid. If you don’t like something, explain why. When looking at other people’s work, give advice or thoughts but don’t be mean about it.
- We want you to discuss stuff. We want you to have fun. Please let’s take turns speaking though. Instructors will choose who can speak.
Game Testing
- What’s the point of this game?
- What is fun about it?
- What might be frustrating?
- What is something you would improve?
- What’s the point of this game?
- What is fun about it?
- What is something you would improve?
- What did you think about the art and characters?
- What’s the point of this game?
- What is fun about it?
- What is something you would improve?
- What did you think about the sound?
- What did you think about the controls?
- What did you think of the tutorial?
- What is fun about it?
- What is hard about it?
- What is something they could add to the game?
- What’s the point of this game?
- What is fun about it?
- What is something you would improve?
- What did you think about the art and characters?
Learning to Design Games
Do you have a game idea? Write it in your Design Log to save it and work on it. You need to learn skills before you start building a game.
The Club Needs You
There’s no such thing like this Club. We are the only one. I need your help growing the Club. Here’s how you can help:
Show your friends what you are working on. Tell them that their parents should call me.
More students means we can get a bigger room and we can buy cooler stuff for us.
Invite your friends to the Network Party. Once they see what we are doing, they will want to join.
What To Do When You’re Not Here
If you were in the middle or end of a lesson, feel free to wait until next meeting or finish at home. Try to do most lessons in the club so that an instructor can help you if possible.
If you want to do stuff before your next meeting, visit the Challenges section. These are meant to be done outside of meetings and help you gain more experience points.
Your Public Profile
This month I need you to design/draw a picture for your Designer Profile, the page that everyone can see. I need you to also come up with a Codename. It can be something you make up or a gamertag you already use.
This is where you and others will get to see your current level and recent projects/games. It’s up to you what gets posted here, we won’t force you to post anything.