Game Design Progress in 8th Grade Class

I am so pleased with the progress in the 8th grade class this semester. We have some really good game ideas and some colorful games. The coding is a challenge as always for students, but things are progressing nicely. Students are working toward presenting their game demos this week and I am proud of them. Below are a couple of examples of games that are being developed in the classroom. Students have a good eye for color and design. There are many more, but space is limited. After the games are presented, you will be able to play them all from the game gallery.

Finish the Race with Grace

As we near the end of the semester we need to remember all that you've learned and all that you've worked so hard to accomplish is on the line as you are attempting to finish the games that you have created. Please don't rush through and leave the games in limbo with no ending or no clear focus. The demo is upon us now and after this, you will focus on the final levels of the game. Some of your games will be more detailed and sophisticated than others. Do not despair if your game doesn't seem to be one of the most elaborate. Do the best that you can and work toward meeting your goals within the time frame that you have. We all know that our time is short to do the work that has to be completed but it is not something that cannot be accomplished. You simply have to be focused and determined to do so. This takes effort and dedication on your part. Some suggestions are Work from bell to bell. Sign a computer with Flash on out when you have some time during the evening to work on your game. Work on your blogs and learning logs at home or on your own computers outside of class when you don't need Flash if you are having trouble finishing the game work in class because of time constraints. Assign each team member a list of things to do and a due date for accomplishing each thing. Come to my classroom during activity period to work on your game or right after you finish eating your lunch. Stay after school and work on your game in my room. I never leave early unless I have an appointment. Come to my room during home baseball games and work in my room on a computer on your game. I work many of the games selling concessions next door and would be able to help you some. If I'm not here, Mrs. B or Mrs. Newsom could allow you to work in my room. If you have any free time in any of your other classes, ask your teacher to allow you to come to my room to work on your game.

Congratulations for Scholastic Art and Writing Award Winners at Tygarts Valley

Recently we have had some good news for some of the students at Tygarts Valley. I'd like to particularly congratulate Matt and Brittany on their National Silver Medals that they will receive from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards on May 31 at a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Matt and Brittany received the national honors for their game, "Carl and Carly's Big Day" that they created in their Game Design I class last semester. The game teaches about Greek gods and goddesses in an entertaining and interactive way. You can play the game by going to the game gallery at Tygarts Valley High School. Carl and Carly's Big Day by the Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies Several other students won silver and gold key regional awards from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at Tygarts Valley as well. Matt and Brittany won gold keys. Casey M. won a gold key. Jared W. and Cody G. and Casey M. won silver key awards for their golf history game. Daniel L. and Dylan P. won silver keys for their game on hunter safety. Caleb G. Madelyn M. and Kelsi R won silver keys for their game about endangered animals. The students were awarded their gold or silver keys as well as a certificate and an award letter. Check out all of the students games in the game gallery link. Mrs. Walters had students at the middle school level in her game design class win gold key awards also. Visit the middle school wiki or Mrs. Walters blog to find out more about these students and their games. We are very proud of all of the students accomplishments. Keep up the good work! Good luck in the Globey competitions.

Game Demos and ............

We are working toward completion of our game demos. In about a month, the final games should be completed. It is hard to believe that the semester will be over in less than two months, but it will. Now is the time to prioritize your time and make sure that no effort is wasted. Make sure that every team member has a job to do. Assign tasks to every one on the team so that there is no down time for anyone. Be productive and efficient with your class time and if you need to, sign a computer out to work at home. You want to make the best game possible. There is a lot at stake. Your game should be the best that it can be. Dream big. Remember the goals that you set. Don't deviate from them and don't give up. Success does not come easily. If it does, it is not appreciated or long remembered. I look forward to seeing what you are creating and to help you through the process. Look how far you've come since the first day of class and you aren't finished yet. I am excited to see what happens next, aren't you?

Silver and Gold Key Winners and Silver Medal Winners at TVHS

We are very proud of the winners that we have in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards from the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers at Tygarts Valley High School. The following students were awarded regional honors this past month for their games: Maddie M, Caleb G, and Kelsi R--It's a Jungle Out There! Silver Key Award Jared W, Cody G, and Casey M--Putt-putt for Knowledge Silver and Gold Key Awards Daniel L and Dylan P--Hunter Safety Silver Key Award Matt S and Brittany S--Carl and Carly's Big Day Gold Key Award Additionally, Matt S and Brittany S received a national silver medal in addition to the regional recognition. Two teams from the Middle School also received Gold Keys in Mrs. Walters Game Design class. We congratulate those students.

Paper Prototypes and Drawing the Primary Scene

We are working on the primary scene in Flash for our games. The paper prototype is important because it directs us as we begin our game. It also requires us to think about exactly what is going to happen in the primary or first scene of our game. It's much more difficult to get the ideas on paper and it forces us to think the game idea through rather than have a vague idea of what is going to happen in the game. There will be times when the predicted game play will change because ideas will develop, but it is better to have a clear outline to follow and that is why the paper prototype and the design plan on the team page is important in the development process. Drawing in Flash can be a challenge, but it quickly becomes something that most students enjoy and become good at doing. Some students find that they have a real talent at drawing using the computer, something that they never knew existed. You really need to explore and not be afraid of trying new things in Game Design. How else will you know what you are going to be the master of? And, you will surprise yourself and me. Trust me you will. It happens all the time. Let's get these scenes completed and get on with the games. We have some real work to do.