3. Play the game. You might need some other pairs to play with you.

4. Think about the elements of each game and write down

• how the game is constructed, the pieces, the grid, shape, size of board
  
• the graphics - what clues do they give you? Use of colour?
  
• the logic of the game - the rules, the strategy
  
• the sameness of each game (do these elements that make it easier to play because you know what to do?) 
  
• the target level - is it appropriate?
  
• how educational it is

Write down these points and compare with a partner or group.

Something New! Your Game

5. Form groups of 3 - 4 students.

As game developers, what new board game would your group put together? Go to your Makerspace within your classroom or home or bedroom and start creating.

6. a. Work out the strategy on paper or iPad.

b. Work out the rules.

c. Construct the board. What visual clues will you give your players?

d. How many players are required?

e. How complicated is your game? Are there different levels?

f. How challenging is your game - will people want to play it to get a solution or win?

7. Get other students in the class to play your game. Note down any questions! Change your game or instructions based on this feedback.

8. Which game from the range of games developed by your class was the best? Why?

Teacher

Create a MakerSpace for your students in your classroom.

Playing Games is the best way to learn how to make them!

Primary Middle Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Numeracy

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy 

Cooperative Learning Activity

1.To learn how to create games, you need to play them!

Play the 4 games (select ones that you will enjoy and are at your school level)

The Games on the left have been developed by the Noble Prize and have a Science bent.

Control of the Cell Cycle	Tic Tac Toe
Prisoner of War	Chess
The Blood Typing Game	Wordle - NY Times
Pavlov's Dog	Gamestar Mechanic
MRI Game	National Geographic - Mazes
Chirality	National Geographic - Matching Countries

2. Repeat each of your four games but this time while you are playing think about

• how the game is constructed
  
• the graphics
  
• the logic of the game
  
• the sameness of each game (are there elements that make it easier to play?) 
  
• the target level - is it appropriate or would you give it a different rating?
  
• how educational it is

Write down these points and compare with a partner.

3. Create your own game on paper. Share with your partner and get them to give you feedback.

4. Now it is time to create your game online. Go to Code.org

And select, Students. Start on Courses 2 - 4 or the Accelerated Course (incorporating Courses 2 - 4)

5. Start coding your game. Share with your partner.

Analysing Games

Primary Middle Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Numeracy

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy 

Cooperative Learning Activity

1. Have a look at the following site: Tech Age Kids

2. Investigate the games reviewed here (2023):

• Pirate Klondike

• Flick! Fidget Spinner

• Punk Row

• Wordle

• Sudoku

• Spider

The following two are from the Nobel Prize (you may not have seen these - have a go!)
   

• MRI

• Chicken Farm Game

3. With a partner, discuss: the games' complexity; challenge; age target group and interest.

How would you improve on these games?

List newer games that teach you or taught you games development. Share with the class.

Coding & Games

Primary Middle Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

Here are two coding programmes for students - from beginners to advanced.

a. Scratch: How to make a 'catch the bug game"
https://youtu.be/4l8kn4DoLBk

b. Unity: is an excellent way to get kids interested in coding, game design, and game development. Unity is a powerful game engine that makes it easy to create 3D and 2D games.

(Source: Moonpreneur)

The Unity Tutorial For Complete Beginners
https://youtu.be/XtQMytORBmM

2. Using one of these programmes, convert a simple board game of your choosing.

3. Get your partner to play your game.

4. Play your partner's game.

5. Analyse - are either of these games suitable for further production? Why? Why not?

This is the Games Index! Have a look and make suggestions (see below)