Hello, aspiring game designers! I'm Mr. Paj, a veteran with over 30 years of experience in both Dungeons & Dragons and professional game development. 

My journey began at age 13 with D&D, leading to a career as a Video Game and Level Designer on AAA titles like Thief, Lara Croft, and the Watchdogs series, as well as indie games like Rat Story and TSB. 

How This Class Works

"Dungeons & Design" is a unique class that combines playing Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) with learning about video game design. Here's what you can expect:

1. D&D Gameplay: Most of our classes will focus on playing epic D&D campaigns. Students will create characters, set out on adventures, and make decisions that shape the story.

2. Game Design Analysis: Every few weeks, we'll pause our campaign for a special class dedicated to analyzing what's happened so far from a game design perspective. We'll discuss:

   • How the story has developed and why
   • The impact of player choices on the game world
   • Character development and its importance
   • How these elements relate to video game design

3. Industry Insights: Throughout the course, I'll share how the concepts we explore in D&D apply to professional video game development, drawing from my experience working as a professional video game designer.

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. I know that these are skills that employers are looking for and that are never talked about in typical D&D classes. That's what sets this class apart.

The goal is to use the engaging, interactive experience of D&D to help students understand core principles of game design. By playing and then reflecting on their experiences, students will develop:

• Storytelling and world-building skills
• An understanding of player choice and consequence in games
• Insight into character development and narrative structure
• Critical thinking about game mechanics and systems

These skills are directly applicable to video game design, giving students a unique foundation for potential future careers in the gaming industry.

For Parents

This D&D club is a bridge to developing 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. 

By enrolling in "Dungeons & Design," your child will:

• Develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills essential in the game industry
• Learn collaborative teamwork in a fun, engaging environment
• Gain insights into professional game design practices from an industry veteran
• Build a foundation for a potential career in the thriving game industry
• Enhance reading, social skills, communication abilities, and creative thinking

Join us in "Dungeons & Design" and start an adventure that turns passion into profession, guided by someone who has walked this path from D&D enthusiast to professional game designer.