Game Designas an intro to

Computer ScienceMark Suter

HS Computer Tech teacher Grades 6-12Pandora, Ohio

● Leverage current interests● Ownership● Concepts > Syntax is less intimidating

Why Game Design as intro to CS?

Paraphrased CSTA “Computational Thinking” Definition “using a computer to solve problems using models and simulations through an automated series of steps (an algorithm) that can then be transferred to other, more complicated problems.”

Paraphrased CSTA “Computational Thinking” Definition1. Using a computer to solve problems2. using models and simulations3. through an automated series of steps (an

algorithm)4. that can then be transferred to other, more

complicated problems.

GameMaker

Mark Overmars- Creator of GameMaker

Concepts explicitly covered in GM

● “Sequence”● variables● global vs. local vars

o “1945” invincible error● loops

o sir-clicks shoot alarm● if...then● debugging

o “sir-C” working shooter

● UI Designo C.A.R.P. (Contrast, Alignment,

Repetition, Proximity)

● DnD is just the beginning…o 100 DnD vs 1000

GML commands

Transferring Concepts

● Create event/OnStart● Collision (destroying one of the objects)● Declare a variable● if statement

Transfer: Create event/OnStart

GameMaker

Unity 3D

Transfer: Collision (destroying one of the objects)

GameMaker

Unity 3D

Transfer: Declare a variable

GameMaker

Unity 3D

Transfer: if statement

GameMaker

Unity 3D

Resources● “Teaching Computer Science through Game Design” by Mark Overmars, 2004

http://courseweb.lis.illinois.edu/~bnsmith3/gaming/files/Teaching%20Computer%20Science%20through%20Game%20Design.pdf

● GameMaker DnD icon reference https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D9A2AEE8712F052%2164002● Gamemaker DnD to GML reference

http://www.packtpub.com/sites/default/files/downloads/4100OT_Appendix_Drag_and_drop_Icons_to_GameMaker_Language_Reference.pdf

● GameMaker Tutorials (by Mr. Suter): https://sites.google.com/site/mrsuterstechlab/videos/tutorials● GameMaker. (You must IMPORT these, not OPEN)

o Sir-Clicks-A-Lot Starter file http://1drv.ms/1jow9Ovo Sir Clicks-A-Lot shooter https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D9A2AEE8712F052%2164000o 1945 Scroller with endboss and 2 powerup types

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D9A2AEE8712F052%2163999