Contents
What is Game Development?
Game Development as stated in freeCodeCamp.org is the art of creating games and describes the design, development, and release of a game. It may involve concept generation, design, build, test and release. While you create a game, it is important to think about the game mechanics, rewards, player engagement, and level design.
What is Game Development for Kids?
Game development is one of the most interesting ways of introducing coding to kids. Many visual programming languages can help kids create simple games. Visual Languages like Scratch, MIT App Inventor are great platforms for getting started with game development for beginners. While visual languages eliminate the pain points of debugging errors, text-based languages like Python will help them create complex games.
Games have always been a favorite recreational activity for children. But what if they could use the same for educational purposes? Creating games will help kids in understanding the know-how of the games they play. In the process of learning and building, kids learn to ideate and execute the plan. This recharges their creative juices and helps them develop a structured thought process promoting logical reasoning. This will also develop their imagination and persistence along with physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.
What is the importance of Game Development for Kids?
Kids are known for their curiosity and coming up with new ideas. Game development courses and design will help them channel this skill while also building basic science and math concepts. To come up with a unique idea is a fun process. Deciding the theme to the characters - allows them to challenge themselves while thinking in creative ways. There are various tools and kid's programming languages that can let students learn this skill at their own pace. Let us look at one of such languages.
How can kids get started with Game Development?
The best way to start when developing any game is to plan things out well in advance. Chalk out all the basics -
- Who would be the main character?
- What would they do?
- What would be the ultimate goal for the player?
- What theme would the game be based on?
This is the first and the most important step to creating your very own game. Use your creativity and imagination to define these questions. Starting with this step will help you stay focused on your task rather than losing the plot in the middle.
To start with picking brains for getting the basics right, follow these steps -
The theme of the game - Do you want the game to be set in a certain era, underwater, into the clouds? Pick out the theme that interests you the most when creating your first game.
The physical appearance of the characters - What kind of clothes do the characters wear? Do they have accessories or weapons with them? What would it look like? Make sure that every detail complements the overall theme of the game.
Figure out the layout of the game - Do you want the characters to solve puzzles, carry out a task, collect something? Figure out this part to sort the core mechanics of your new game.
Create - Put this plan together and you are ready to create a new game!
To create games that will get people hooked, it is crucial to understand the fundamentals of game development. The developer needs to understand the purpose of creating a character and incorporate hurdles and levels keeping in mind the attention span of users.
To get to the basics, let us start with understanding the building blocks of any game. A medium of entertainment, games are created with the purpose of recreation and sometimes, education.
Every game will have these two things -
- A goal to reach or a task to finish
- The player has control over something
Even the simplest game will have to tick boxes of having these two requirements fulfilled. The creator can then add layers and levels to it later.
Game Development using Scratch
Scratch is a visual programming language that can help kids create fun games easily. Developed by MIT, Scratch also has a wide online community of creators that share their ideas. This community has both mentors and students. Kids getting started with the platform can learn a lot from this community.
Scratch lets learners create animations and games while reducing the pain points for them. Learners need to design the game using visual blocks. This eliminates the need for debugging multiple errors. Scratch is optimal for children between 8 to 16 years of age.
Here’s a video of one of our student’s projects made using Scratch: Games built on Scratch by Codeyoung students
Learn more about game development from our CodeDash episode on Game Building about Arcade Shooting Game in Scratch.
Game Development using Python
Python is a versatile programming language that can be used for anything. Speaking of game development using Python, it allows the game developers to start everything from scratch with total liberty. Now, to start with game development using Python, you should be familiar with certain frameworks, some of them are Pygame, Pyglet, PyOpenGL, and Panda 3D. This is the place where you learn big boy game development meaning conventional text-based coding. A real deal when it comes to the actual gaming industry. Always remember it’s all in the process.
Best Tools for Game Development for Kids
There are lots of software technologies available on the internet but choosing the right one is overtly important because the initial stages define how a kid is going to react to the subject. Hence, here are some notable recommendations.
- Minecraft
- Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
- Little Big Planet 3
- Roblox
- Lego Worlds
- Blox 3D Junior
Best Resources for Game Development for kids
You will never know what works best for you unless you try them. Therefore, I present some of the honorable mentions:
- Codecademy
- Codeyoung
- Code.org
- Udemy
- Unity Learn
- Skillshare
What are the best projects on Game Development for Kids?
With utmost knowledge and proper guidance, kids can easily develop games on their own. Some of the best-known projects on Game Development for kids are:
- Sudoku Game
- Tetris Game
- Tic Tac Toe Game
- Rock Paper Scissors Game
- Memory Puzzle Game
- Maths Puzzle Board Game
Conclusion
Game creation is as important as actually playing it. The way gamers interact with the game says a lot about the entire process of game development. The goal of Codeyoung is to provide effective and simple education. It provides quality learning to teach game development through Scratch and Python!
STEM.ORG confirms that courses are STEM-aligned and that the best introductory coding for kids is available.
Join your peers in a coding class for kids, establish friends with them, and learn with and from them.
Everything you need to know about kids, from performance to assignment completions, is all in one place with the Student Portfolio.
Global Community Access is available to you.
The content and structure of the program are comparable to those found in US schools.
Codeyoung hosts coding contests such as coder of the week and hackathons.
Our instructors are not only excellent coders, but they also have years of experience and degrees from prestigious universities.
Likewise, if our game development guide helped you answer any of your doubts then don’t forget to tell us in the comment section below. We always look forward to having conversations.
Happy Game Developing!
For more information, visit Codeyoung.
FAQ's
Is game development good for kids?
Yes, indeed it is! Learning game development can assist children in becoming future innovators, problem solvers, and creative thinkers. Game development encourages problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity, as well as boosting confidence. It also equips youngsters with the abilities they will need in the future.
What are the 5 stages of game development?
Gam development requires planning and involves effective strategies. The main 5 stages that it includes are discovery, production, testing, release, and post-release.
Can a kid make a game?
Many students receive their first taste of video game design by altering games they already own. To develop and build innovative, enjoyable experiences, most of these tools don't require youngsters to be professional programmers or computer specialists.
What age should you start game development?
If a kid starts learning from the basics and is well-versed with Scratch, he/she can start designing games at the age of 8-12 years. The key is experience, which can only be gained by doing things. To learn how to get things operating, you'll need time and, more importantly, patience.
