Learning Two Languages
While students are learning in your course, they will be learning two distinct but related languages.
- One is the language of game analysis, which will begin with analysis of individual games and build into understanding institutional, sociological, historical, and theoretical topics related to game design.
- THIS GAME IS IMPORTANT (TO ME) BECAUSE . . .
- One is game design language itself and particularly those skills needed by the programmer, level designer, animator, artist, producer, sound designer.
- LOOK AT WHAT IS IMPORTANT (TO ME) . . .
Course Description
Game Design 1 A, B
Credit: CTE or Elective
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1 year
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Learn how to work in the game design industry. Use the Unity game development ecosystem: a powerful rendering engine fully integrated with a complete set of intuitive tools and rapid workflows to create interactive content. Includes instruction in graphics software and systems; computer programming; digital multimedia; graphic design, video game design and development; graphics devices, processors, and standards; attributes and transformations; projections; surface identification and rendering; color theory; algebra; geometry; trigonometry and introduction to various mathematical concepts related to interactive computer and computer graphic-based applications. You can even join SkillsUSA and compete in regional and maybe even state competitions. Remember skills pay the bills!
Game Design 2 A, B
Credit: CTE or Elective
Prerequisite: Game Design 1 A, B
Length: 1 year
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
This course is a continuation of Game Design 1. Get ready to create complex 2D and 3D games with Unity’s rapidly scalable scene building blocks. Dive into scripting with industry-standard languages in diverse, skilled teams. Join forces with other talented students to invent new worlds. You can even join SkillsUSA and compete in regional and maybe even state competitions. Remember skills pay the bills!
Syllabus
- 2020-21 IB Game Syllabus – Coming Soon! (PDF)
Social Media Contract
Overview of Class Components
Teams
- Most productions will be in teams with students taking on various production roles and documenting progress in a game design journal, a WordPress blog hosted by Edublogs.org (free)
- View Sander’s blog as a sample
Course Units
Unit | Hours |
Unit 0: Career Essentials | 30 |
Unit 1: Introduction to Game Design | 10 |
Unit 2: Critical Thinking in Game Design | 10 |
Unit 3: Game Design Theory | 10 |
Unit 4: Story and Game Creation | 15 |
Unit 5: System Dynamics and Scripting Fundamentals | 20 |
Unit 6: Game Development Tools, Functions, and Properties | 10 |
Unit 7: Interfaces, Environments, Asset Management, and Animation | 25 |
Unit 8: Physics and the Build Process | 20 |
Unit 15: Pre-production (Year 1) | 5 |
Unit 16: Production (Year 1) | 20 |
Unit 17: Post-production (Year 1) | 5 |
YEAR ONE TOTAL | 180 |
Unit | Hours |
Unit 9: Constructs of Game Design | 15 |
Unit 10: Principles of Cameras and Lighting in Game Environments | 25 |
Unit 11: Principles of Sound and Audio for Gamers | 15 |
Unit 12: Strategic Game Development Techniques and Concepts | 15 |
Unit 13: Principles of Quality & Functionality Assurance in Game Development | 10 |
Unit 14: Principles of Versioning and Game Release | 20 |
Unit 15: Pre-production (Year 2) | 20 |
Unit 16: Production (Year 2) | 40 |
Unit 17: Post-production (Year 2) | 20 |
YEAR TWO TOTAL | 180 |
Unit Schedule
Unity Curriculum
- Curriculum Framework – May 2015
- Resource Guide – May 2015
- Professional Skill Standards for Interactive Application & Video Game Creation – May 2015
Resources
- The Unity Curricular Framework is designed and built upon the Unity Professional Standards for Interactive Application and Video Game Creation. As a result, the Curricular Framework is closely aligned to several contemporary and prominent standards initiatives today, including:
- Unity Professional Standards for Interactive Application & Video Game Creation
The Power of Project Based Learning
- This course is based on project-based learning or PBL, an educational model demonstrated to help students develop 21st skills.
- Why Project-based Learning?
- 21st Century Skills
- Washington State Standards
Screencasts – Assistance in Self-Directed Learning
- Screencast videos are recorded of many lessons to support learning and are available on the web site for viewing anytime at school or at home
- Instructional Formatting (How to read Mr. Le Duc’s directions)
Academic Integrity
Grading
- Projects and Daily Work
- Final and Portfolio Tools
- These tools are used throughout the year
- Final Requirements
Grade Scale
Level | Letter | Skyward High % | Skyward Low % | Descriptor |
4 | A | 100.00% | 92.50% | Advanced. Consistently exceeds proficient level of standard(s). |
3.5 | A- | 92.49% | 86.67% | Proficient but partial success at advanced level. |
B+ | 86.66% | 80.84% | ||
3 | B | 80.83% | 75.00% | Proficient. Consistently (usually) meets standard(s). |
2.5 | B- | 74.99% | 66.67% | Basic but partial success at proficient level. |
C+ | 66.66% | 58.34% | ||
2 | C | 58.33% | 50.00% | Basic. Inconsistently (occasionally) meets standard(s). |
REDO |
Grade Scoring Table
Self Authored Projects
- Technical and creative media skills are developed through project work, working toward mastery
- Projects are composed of a plan and a product
- Each project is about two weeks in length
- Students produce projects throughout the term
- Students present the product the last day of the project cycle
Skills Development Projects
- Skills development is embedded into each project with emphasis on 21st Century world of work core skills
Workflow Flowchart
Daily Work
- Students will receive a daily grade for being on task with the daily work. Credit will be reduced for any conduct not contributing to an academic atmosphere. Credit will not be granted if the student is absent, but the points can be made up upon return. Please refer to the online class schedule for missing work and consult with the teacher for make-up work.
Self Evaluation
- Students will publish blog entry detailing their work for projects
- Included in the entry will be a paragraph highlighting what was done and learned
- A screenshot showing an example of the work and progress will be included
- Sample Student Evaluation
Journal
- Students will maintain a journal
- The journal details what was done and learned
- Sample journal entry
Leadership
- Students will contribute to the learning community in some meaningful way
- Student-lead leadership projects will be developed between 1st and 2nd semester
- This project is aligned with CTE standards
- Leadership sign up form