Game Design Through D&D Adventures - Develop Your Own Game: Dungeons & Dragons

"Dungeons & Design" is a unique 10-week course that combines playing Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) with learning about video game design. 

Why This Approach?
D&D has been essential to my creative design processes in developing games, without which I would not be a game designer today. These are skills that employers actively seek but are rarely addressed in typical D&D classes. That's what sets this course apart.

By playing and analyzing their experiences, students will develop:
• Storytelling and world-building skills
• Understanding of player choice and consequence
• Insight into character development and narrative structure
• Critical thinking about game mechanics and systems
• Professional game design documentation abilities

For Parents
This intensive 10-week program serves as a bridge to professional game development skills. The gaming industry is booming, with vast opportunities across North America and beyond. While coding is crucial, the ability to craft compelling stories and design engaging experiences is what truly distinguishes successful game developers.

Your child will:
• Develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills
• Learn collaborative teamwork in a fun, engaging environment
• Gain insights into professional game design practices
• Build a foundation for a potential career in gaming
• Enhance reading, social skills, and creative thinking
• Create a game design portfolio piece

Here's what you can expect:

1. D&D Gameplay (6 Sessions):
   • Create and develop your own unique character
   • Participate in an epic campaign designed to showcase different aspects of game design
   • Make meaningful decisions that shape the story and world
   • Experience different gameplay mechanics and storytelling techniques

2. Game Design Analysis (3 Sessions):
   • Analyze campaign developments from a game design perspective
   • Study how the story has developed and why
   • Examine the impact of player choices on the game world
   • Explore character development and its importance
   • Connect D&D elements to video game design principles
   • Learn industry-standard game design documentation

3. Industry Insights (Throughout):
   • Gain real-world examples from AAA and indie game development
   • Learn how D&D concepts translate to video game design
   • Understand the game industry's creative processes
   • Discover career pathways in game development

Course Structure:
• Week 1-2: Foundations & Character Creation
• Week 3-4: World-Building & Storytelling
• Week 5-6: Game Systems & Mechanics
• Week 7-8: Combat & Encounter Design
• Week 9-10: Advanced Concepts & Final Project

Final Project:
For our last week, each student will get to design their own exciting game idea inspired by our D&D adventures! You'll get to share your creative ideas with the class, including:
• Your game's main character and story
• A cool level or area you'd want players to explore
• Special abilities or items players can find
• Sketches or descriptions of monsters and characters
• Any awesome ideas you come up with during our adventures!

Join us in "Dungeons & Design" and start an adventure that combines the excitement of D&D with learning how video games are made, all guided by someone who started just like you - a kid who loved playing D&D!

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