Best language / tools / platforms / tutorials to teach to an entry level game design enrichment?
February 9, 2010 9:36 AM Subscribe
Best language / tools / platforms / tutorials to teach to an entry level game design enrichment?
I have decided to teach an after school game design enrichment at my school. My students will predominantly be 9th-12th grade, and most will be new to programming though some may have had some experience with javascript / java.
Obviously, a large part of the class will cover the fundamentals of programming, with a focus on creating games.
My guess is we will meet either after school or for a few hours on Sunday. In addition, there might be a 24 hour lock-in or two.
I am familiar with pretty much everything from scheme, to python, to tcl/tk, to c++/qt, to c#, java, ruby, c, php etc. and would feel comfortable working in pretty much anything.
Personally, I'm leaning towards teaching them canvas in Google chrome because of the power of that platform and how useful it will be, but I am completely open to any other tools or libraries. Bonus points for platforms that have good tutorials I could work my students through.
What language / tools / platforms / tutorials should I use for this enrichment?
I have decided to teach an after school game design enrichment at my school. My students will predominantly be 9th-12th grade, and most will be new to programming though some may have had some experience with javascript / java.
Obviously, a large part of the class will cover the fundamentals of programming, with a focus on creating games.
My guess is we will meet either after school or for a few hours on Sunday. In addition, there might be a 24 hour lock-in or two.
I am familiar with pretty much everything from scheme, to python, to tcl/tk, to c++/qt, to c#, java, ruby, c, php etc. and would feel comfortable working in pretty much anything.
Personally, I'm leaning towards teaching them canvas in Google chrome because of the power of that platform and how useful it will be, but I am completely open to any other tools or libraries. Bonus points for platforms that have good tutorials I could work my students through.
What language / tools / platforms / tutorials should I use for this enrichment?
Response by poster: Game maker isn't bad, but I should have stipulated that I'm looking for free things. Also, the kids who know java / javascript might scoff.
posted by satori_movement at 10:04 AM on February 9, 2010
posted by satori_movement at 10:04 AM on February 9, 2010
XNA is free if you just want to play Windows games.
There's an XNA program to waive the $99 fee for students who want to be able to play these games on the Xbox instead of the PC.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:19 AM on February 9, 2010
There's an XNA program to waive the $99 fee for students who want to be able to play these games on the Xbox instead of the PC.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:19 AM on February 9, 2010
Unity 3D Might be what you're looking for.
Optionally there is bender 3D which has python based programming, but it's possible to make a game without typing any script. The UI might be a bit steep for 9th-12th graders.
I would also like to nth XNA, I've worked with it for a while. It's a framework and not an actual engine, but it's very well documented and MS has a bunch of tutorials for people to get started.
posted by hellojed at 10:59 AM on February 9, 2010
Optionally there is bender 3D which has python based programming, but it's possible to make a game without typing any script. The UI might be a bit steep for 9th-12th graders.
I would also like to nth XNA, I've worked with it for a while. It's a framework and not an actual engine, but it's very well documented and MS has a bunch of tutorials for people to get started.
posted by hellojed at 10:59 AM on February 9, 2010
Response by poster: Unity is really cool, but I think 2d is the way to start. Actually, perhaps even text based, but if I go with something like canvas, 2d will be really easy.
XNA is a VERY good choice.
How much nuts and bolts kind of stuff is there in XNA? I'd rather not bog them down with having to setup this and setup that, and a hundred steps before they even see anything on the screen.
posted by satori_movement at 11:38 AM on February 9, 2010
XNA is a VERY good choice.
How much nuts and bolts kind of stuff is there in XNA? I'd rather not bog them down with having to setup this and setup that, and a hundred steps before they even see anything on the screen.
posted by satori_movement at 11:38 AM on February 9, 2010
The basic Game Maker is free.
XNA (3.1) comes with a template for a limited 2D platformer that works with no additional effort. You can d/l other templates here. So on your very first day, they could run a game. In order to change anything, you would have to get into the code (C#), but it's not really too bad. You could start with just swapping in a sprite of their own creation, for example, and then move on to more complex thigns.
Also, if you ponied up $100, you could easily port to the Xbox.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 12:10 PM on February 9, 2010
XNA (3.1) comes with a template for a limited 2D platformer that works with no additional effort. You can d/l other templates here. So on your very first day, they could run a game. In order to change anything, you would have to get into the code (C#), but it's not really too bad. You could start with just swapping in a sprite of their own creation, for example, and then move on to more complex thigns.
Also, if you ponied up $100, you could easily port to the Xbox.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 12:10 PM on February 9, 2010
Response by poster: Wow, I just realized unity is free, I may definitely have to give a closer look there....
posted by satori_movement at 8:09 AM on February 10, 2010
posted by satori_movement at 8:09 AM on February 10, 2010
Best answer: In case anyone stumbles upon this thread later, a few other suggestions which were made to me:
Pygame
Love(a lua based 2d game engine)
Also,
Some premade tiles by DanC
posted by satori_movement at 10:28 AM on February 11, 2010
Pygame
Love(a lua based 2d game engine)
Also,
Some premade tiles by DanC
posted by satori_movement at 10:28 AM on February 11, 2010
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posted by SuperSquirrel at 9:47 AM on February 9, 2010