Creative Game Programming with Tynker
Encourages creative game programming with Tynker’s interactive platform and projects.
Description : This course uses Tynker’s interactive platform to encourage creative game programming, where students design and code games that reflect their own ideas and interests.
Category : Coding & Engineering
Age : 8+
Difficulty Level : Normal
Curriculum :
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Game Programming Section 1: Getting Started with Tynker - Lesson 1: What is Tynker? - Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 1: Overview of Tynker and its purpose in creative game programming. - Lesson 2: Navigating the Tynker Interface - Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 2: Learning the basic layout and tools available on the Tynker platform. Section 2: Understanding Game Design Basics - Lesson 1: What Makes a Game? - Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 1: Introduction to game elements such as characters, objectives, and challenges. - Lesson 2: Exploring Game Themes and Ideas - Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 2: Brainstorming creative ideas and understanding different game genres. Section 3: Learning Through Play - Lesson 1: Simple Interactive Stories - Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 1: Using the platform to create interactive narratives. - Lesson 2: Experimenting with Game Sprites - Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 2: Introduction to sprites and how they impact game design. Section 4: Basic Coding Concepts - Lesson 1: Understanding Commands and Blocks - Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 1: Introduction to using coding blocks to give instructions in Tynker. - Lesson 2: Sequencing Your Code - Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 2: Learning the importance of the order of actions in programming. Section 5: Creating Your First Mini-Project - Lesson 1: Planning a Simple Game - Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 1: Outlining the steps and planning a game concept using a storyboard. - Lesson 2: Building the Mini-Game in Tynker - Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 2: Using learned basics to assemble a simple, interactive game. Module 2: Game Design Fundamentals Section 1: Elements of Game Structure - Lesson 1: Defining the Storyline - Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 1: Crafting a basic story and objective for your game. - Lesson 2: Introducing Game Characters - Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 2: Learning how characters drive the game’s narrative. Section 2: Environment and Backgrounds - Lesson 1: Choosing a Game Setting - Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 1: How to choose and create engaging game settings. - Lesson 2: Designing Game Backgrounds - Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 2: Techniques for selecting or designing appealing backdrops. Section 3: Interactive Elements - Lesson 1: Understanding User Input - Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 1: Basics of capturing and responding to player actions. - Lesson 2: Creating Simple Interactions - Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 2: Using Tynker to code clickable elements and basic responses. Section 4: Sound and Animation Basics - Lesson 1: Adding Sound Effects - Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 1: Exploring simple ways to integrate audio cues in your game. - Lesson 2: Using Animations to Enhance Gameplay - Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 2: Introduction to animating sprites for more lively scenes. Section 5: Testing and Iteration - Lesson 1: Playing Your Game - Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 1: Importance of testing and getting feedback on your game. - Lesson 2: Making Basic Improvements - Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 2: Learning how to iterate based on playtesting and simple user inputs. Module 3: Coding Fundamentals with Tynker Section 1: Introduction to Coding Logic - Lesson 1: What is Coding Logic? - Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 1: Understanding the idea behind algorithms and logical flow. - Lesson 2: Creating Simple If-Then Statements - Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 2: Learning conditional statements using Tynker blocks. Section 2: Looping and Repetition - Lesson 1: Introduction to Loops - Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 1: Discovering how loops can make repetitive tasks easier. - Lesson 2: Building Loop Structures - Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 2: Practice using loops for animations and game mechanics. Section 3: Using Variables in Games - Lesson 1: What are Variables? - Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 1: Introducing variables and their role in storing data. - Lesson 2: Simple Scoring Systems - Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 2: Developing a basic scoring system using variables. Section 4: Event-Driven Programming - Lesson 1: Understanding Events - Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 1: How events trigger actions in a game environment. - Lesson 2: Coding for Player Inputs - Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 2: Writing simple event-driven code to react to key presses and clicks. Section 5: Debugging Your Code - Lesson 1: Identifying Common Errors - Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 1: Learning to spot and correct basic mistakes in your code. - Lesson 2: Testing and Refining Your Scripts - Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 2: Practicing simple troubleshooting techniques within Tynker. Module 4: Building Your First Game Section 1: Game Concept and Planning - Lesson 1: Brainstorming Game Ideas - Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 1: Encouraging creative brainstorming for a game concept. - Lesson 2: Storyboarding Your Game - Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 2: Creating a visual plan of game flow and key scenes. Section 2: Designing Game Layout - Lesson 1: Arranging Game Scenes - Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 1: Planning out different screens and levels in your game. - Lesson 2: Positioning Interactive Elements - Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 2: Learning how to place characters and objects effectively. Section 3: Bringing Characters to Life - Lesson 1: Coding Character Movements - Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 1: Creating basic movement logic for game characters. - Lesson 2: Adding Simple Animations - Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 2: Implementing animations to make characters more lively. Section 4: Implementing Game Challenges - Lesson 1: Coding Obstacles and Challenges - Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 1: Introducing basic obstacles using Tynker blocks. - Lesson 2: Reward Systems and Feedback - Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 2: Creating reward mechanisms like points or stars when challenges are met. Section 5: Testing Your Game Build - Lesson 1: Running Through Your Game - Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 1: Learning the basics of playtesting your game design. - Lesson 2: Collecting and Applying Feedback - Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 2: Making simple changes based on feedback to improve game functionality. Module 5: Refining and Sharing Your Game Section 1: Enhancing Game Aesthetics - Lesson 1: Polishing Visual Elements - Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 1: Simple techniques to improve the look of your game. - Lesson 2: Integrating Music and Sound Effects - Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 2: Adding final audio touches to enhance the gaming experience. Section 2: Improving Game Interactivity - Lesson 1: Fine-Tuning User Inputs - Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 1: Adjusting control responsiveness for a smoother experience. - Lesson 2: Adding Extra Interactive Surprises - Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 2: Implementing basic bonus features to delight players. Section 3: Optimizing Game Performance - Lesson 1: Simplifying Code for Speed - Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 1: Learning how to tidy up code to avoid slowdown. - Lesson 2: Testing for Bugs and Lag - Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 2: Practicing simple techniques to identify and fix performance issues. Section 4: Preparing Your Game for Sharing - Lesson 1: Packaging Your Game Project - Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 1: Organizing your project files for easy sharing. - Lesson 2: Sharing Projects on Tynker - Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 2: Learning how to publish and share your game with friends and family. Section 5: Celebrating Your Creation - Lesson 1: Presenting Your Game - Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 1: Practicing how to showcase your game to an audience. - Lesson 2: Reflecting and Planning Next Steps - Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 2: A review of what was learned and ideas for future creative projects.