Game Design Course in Minecraft: Learn to Design & Balance Games (8-Session)
Begin your journey in game design with this in-depth 8-session course that delves into the fundamental principles of game design through the creation of mini-games in Minecraft. (Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Mac Only. NO iPad or Tablet.)
Connected Camps - Technology
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(287)
What's included
8 live meetings
12 in-class hoursClass Experience
(Minecraft Java Edition for PC / Mac Only) (Not compatible with Ipads, Kindles, Tablets, Phones, and Game Consoles.) In this class, we'll teach you exactly how to create Minecraft mini-games...just like the ones you play in sites like Hypixel! You’ll learn how to design, build, and modify your games, then add them to your own servers so you can play with your friends. Real-life game designers use many of the same design skills you’ll be learning, as they create games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Hearthstone. During this class, you will discover: — What basic game mechanics are, and how you'll use them in Minecraft to create your own games. — How to troubleshoot a game that isn’t working, and figure out how to fix it. — Why it's important to balance your games – and how you can do it. — How to create games like Ender Golf, Dungeon, Hide and Seek, and Capture the Flag in Minecraft. During each class, we'll start out playing a new game, as a way to get your creative juices flowing. Then you'll pair up with another student to design, build, test, and play your own games. You'll get feedback on your games from your classmates, so you can make them even better (and more fun!) PARENTS: This program is structured as a friendly online studio for kids who want to learn and explore with other mini-game enthusiasts. Students will learn the fundamental principles of game design by applying them as they create mini-games in Minecraft. During class, we balance class discussion time with plenty of hands-on experience, so the students cement what they're learning and explore the topics they're interested in. Your child will be gaining valuable coding, planning, and social skills as they are having fun in Minecraft.
Learning Goals
These are the students’ learning goals and activities over the course of eight sessions:
— Day 1 - Set Up and Ender Golf - Our primary goal for this day is to assist students in setting up Minecraft and to familiarize kids with our course’s objectives. At the beginning of the class, we’ll introduce kids to Ender Golf and how they can establish rules and controls for a game. Students will then create their own Ender Golf course and learn how to playtest with others.
— Day 2 - Structure - We’ll teach students how to structure their games with a start point and an endpoint. They will then create their own unique parkour courses to playtest and refine with others.
— Day 3 - Concentric Development - Development should start out simple and then expand with details. Students will build a completable dungeon devoid of areas in which playtesters can get stuck on.
— Day 4 - Formulating Rules - In addition to the dungeons they’ve created last class, students will build out rules for their dungeons and ensure the rules are easy to follow.
— Day 5 - Balance - In this session, students will explore the concept of multiplayer games and discover how to set one up. Students will then create a boat racing track with at least five obstacles in it.
— Day 6 - Variety - The next step is to add variety by implementing shortcuts or alternative paths to the racing tracks that students have created. To avoid confusing playtesters, students should actively avoid overloading the track with shortcuts.
— Day 7 - Polishing - What does it mean to polish a game? We’ll show students all of the different kinds of ways they can polish their favorite mini-games to make their courses unique and one-of-a-kind.
— Day 8 - Showcase Day - This is the day for showcasing and playtesting! Everyone will get to play each other’s courses and provide feedback to each other for future improvements.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Internet safety is a top priority for us and our goal is to create a safe, connected community of learners that is moderated by our instructors. Throughout our programs we strive to educate our learners on internet safety and best practices for connecting online.
In our programs, our learners are often making friendships and connections with others in class and while we encourage positive online friendships we think it’s important to practice these principles of internet safety:
— Do NOT ask others to connect online outside of our programs without first confirming with your parents. Our programs are a safe, moderated space for learners to engage but we can’t moderate connections outside of our classes.
— Do NOT give away personal information which includes but is not limited to: your name, address, phone number, passwords, location, email address, and parental information.
— If an individual asks for personal information, you should inform a counselor or your parent for guidance.
Supply List
A Minecraft Java Edition account must be purchased by the learner. Participants will receive access to the Connected Camps Minecraft Server where the program will be run. To access the server, each learner will need the Java edition of Minecraft version 1.13. The "Minecraft for Windows 10 version", console editions, and pocket editions for mobile devices will not work for this course. A pair of headphones and microphone are also needed for communication with the class.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined February, 2020
4.8
287reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Connected Camps is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2015 with the mission to build a global online community where kids build, code, play, and learn from one another. Our programs are designed based on the extensive research in the learning sciences. The founders and leaders of Connected Camps, Mimi Ito and Katie Salen, are professors at the University of California, Irvine who specialize in the design of online learning experiences that are fun, social, and tied to academic outcomes. Learn more about the research behind Connected Camps at the Connected Learning Alliance resource site: https://clalliance.org/
One thing that makes our programs unique is our near-peer mentorship model. Our programs are led by young adults and college students, often with the help of high school volunteers. We hire counselors and coaches from top universities in computer science, game development, economics, and sports performance, and design and train them on how to facilitate project-based learning with younger kids. Our young instructors have the same passion for technology, games, and digital making as our learners, and take on the role of instructors, as well as fellow enthusiasts and relatable role models.
Learn more about our organization at: https://connectedcamps.com/about Reviews
Live Group Class
$120
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
90 min
Completed by 126 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-10 learners per class
