Home > STEM Learning Journeys > Basics of Game Design Next Level Tech September 19, 2024 Lesson Journey Description: A series of six lessons that provide an introduction into the big picture idea of game design. For the lessons in this toolkit, youth will learn and apply the basic concepts of game design by exploring the essential parts behind favorite childhood games and using that understanding to design their own games . Lessons 1-2 run ~30 minutes each while Lessons 3-6 run 45 min to an hour in length, so the Basics of Game Design Learning Journey will take about 5-6 hours to complete. Activity handouts for all lessons are provided. Recommended Grades: 5-12 Total time for Lesson Journey: 5-6 hours Lesson 1 Lesson 1: In this lesson, youth explore the differences between what makes an activity a game versus just a playful experience by reviewing and discussing examples of different activities. This… Read More Lesson 2 Lesson 2: In this lesson, youth learn about the six different parts of a game and reflect on why people play games. This lesson will take 30 minutes to complete…. Read More Lesson 3 In this lesson, youth learn about the main action of a game, the “core mechanics”, and are introduced to the design process using everyday objects like coins and cups. This… Read More Lesson 4 In this lesson, youth learn how to identify the space, rules and challenges within a game and will go through the game design process to modify a game. This lesson… Read More Lesson 5 In this lesson, youth learn: 1) how to design a game from scratch using everyday objects, 2) how each part of a game is crucial in making a whole game,… Read More Load More Career Connections: For youth: If you found the Basics of Game Design lessons interesting, you might want to consider a career in Game Design! Game Design is a career field that combines artists, educators, writers, entrepreneurs and the tech industry, all working together to design virtual experiences for everyone to enjoy. Game Design is one of the fastest growing fields so new jobs keep popping up everyday! Here are the Top 10 Careers in Game Design.
Lesson 1 Lesson 1: In this lesson, youth explore the differences between what makes an activity a game versus just a playful experience by reviewing and discussing examples of different activities. This… Read More
Lesson 2 Lesson 2: In this lesson, youth learn about the six different parts of a game and reflect on why people play games. This lesson will take 30 minutes to complete…. Read More
Lesson 3 In this lesson, youth learn about the main action of a game, the “core mechanics”, and are introduced to the design process using everyday objects like coins and cups. This… Read More
Lesson 4 In this lesson, youth learn how to identify the space, rules and challenges within a game and will go through the game design process to modify a game. This lesson… Read More
Lesson 5 In this lesson, youth learn: 1) how to design a game from scratch using everyday objects, 2) how each part of a game is crucial in making a whole game,… Read More
