Remix the Rules: Game Design Exploration

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Remix the Rules: Game Design Exploration

Grade 7ArtTechnologyComputer Science15 days

In the "Remix the Rules: Game Design Exploration" project, 7th-grade students embark on an engaging journey to redesign a favorite game by creatively altering its core elements, mechanics, and components. Through activities like "Game Elements Exploration" and "Creative Game Remix," students analyze and apply gameplay principles, utilize digital tools for prototyping, and gather peer feedback to enhance their designs. The project blends art, technology, and computer science standards, emphasizing creative thinking, digital media usage, and the intersection of art and technology in video game design.

Game DesignCreative ThinkingDigital MediaGame MechanicsPrototypingArt and Technology

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we creatively redesign and remix a favorite game by understanding and altering its core elements, mechanics, and components, to offer a unique and engaging player experience?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What are the basic elements of gameplay in various games?
How do mechanics of a game influence player behavior and the overall gameplay experience?
What components make up a video game, and how do they interact with each other?
In what ways can you creatively change a game's elements, mechanics, or components to create a different gaming experience?
How do art and technology intersect in the creation and design of video games?
What skills are necessary to remix an existing game into a new version effectively?
How do we evaluate the effectiveness and enjoyability of a game?
How do different games incorporate and prioritize different gameplay principles?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Understand the basic elements, mechanics, and components of various games.
Analyze how different games incorporate and prioritize different gameplay principles.
Develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills by redesigning and remixing an existing game.
Enhance skills in using digital media and technology to present new game designs.
Develop an understanding of the intersection between art and technology in video game design.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.5

Primary

Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.Reason: Students will use art and technology to remix a game, which involves strategic use of digital media.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4

Secondary

Model with mathematics.Reason: The process of breaking down game components and mechanics requires an understanding of models and systems, akin to mathematical modeling.

ISTE Standards for Students

ISTE.CT.1

Primary

Foster an inclusive computing culture by understanding and addressing equity through the design of a game.Reason: Students redesign a game, fostering inclusivity and addressing various elements of equity in gaming culture.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

Primary

Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.Reason: Students will analyze different games and remix components to create a new and improved version, meeting design criteria.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Game Designer Workshop

Invite a professional game designer to conduct a virtual workshop, allowing students to witness first-hand how games are conceptualized and remixed. This will spark interest by showing real-world applications of gameplay principles and inspire students to think creatively about their projects.

Gamers' Guild Meeting

Host a gamers' meeting where students bring their favorite games to play and then present a mini-analysis on the game's principles. This format encourages peer-to-peer learning and leverages students’ existing interests.

Board Game Renaissance Fair

Organize a board game fair where students explore classic and modern board games to identify and compare their elements and mechanics. This hands-on introduction to diverse games provides a tangible basis for their remix project.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Playtest & Feedback Session

In the final activity, students will present their remixed games to peers for playtesting and gather feedback on their design. This process is crucial for understanding the effectiveness and enjoyability of their game.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Organize a session where each group presents their game to classmates.

2. Encourage peers to playtest the games and offer constructive feedback.

3. Gather data on user experience and record suggested improvements.

4. Reflect on feedback and plan potential enhancements to the game design.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA feedback report with strategies for improvement.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.MS-ETS1-3 (Analyze data from tests to identify the best characteristics for success).

Activity 2

Gameplay Mechanics Detective

Students delve into the mechanics of a specific game to understand how they influence player behavior. By analyzing these mechanics, students can discover how alterations in mechanics can create new gameplay experiences.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select a game with interesting mechanics for detailed study.

2. Identify and describe the main mechanics and how they affect player decisions.

3. Discuss potential changes in these mechanics and predict the outcomes.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed report on game mechanics and predicted outcomes of changes.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4 (Model with mathematics).

Activity 3

Game Elements Exploration

In this activity, students will explore the basic elements, mechanics, and components of various games to understand how they contribute to the overall gameplay experience. This foundational understanding will prepare them to creatively remix a game.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. List various games that students are familiar with and enjoy playing.

2. Break down each game into its core elements, mechanics, and components.

3. Create a mind map to visually organize the elements, mechanics, and components of selected games.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive mind map displaying elements, mechanics, and components of studied games.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.MS-ETS1-3 (Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences).

Activity 4

Creative Game Remix

This activity challenges students to redesign a chosen game by creatively altering its elements, mechanics, and components to offer a unique player experience. Students will utilize technology to prototype their new game version.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a game from previous activities to remix.

2. Identify which elements, mechanics, or components to change.

3. Use digital tools to create a prototype of the new game version.

4. Prepare a presentation to demonstrate your game remix.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA prototype and presentation of the remixed game.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.5 (Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays).

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Game Remix and Redesign Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Gameplay Elements

Evaluates students' comprehension of core gameplay elements, mechanics, and components in their chosen games.

Criterion 1

Comprehension of Elements and Mechanics

Assesses students' ability to identify and describe the core elements, mechanics, and components of games.

Exemplary

4 Points

Thoroughly identifies and describes all core elements and mechanics with insightful analysis of their impact on gameplay.

Proficient

3 Points

Accurately identifies and describes most core elements and mechanics with an understanding of their roles.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies and describes some core elements and mechanics with basic understanding and occasional inaccuracies.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify core elements and mechanics; descriptions are incomplete or inaccurate.

Criterion 2

Analysis and Application of Gameplay Mechanics

Evaluates the depth of analysis and application of gameplay mechanics to predict and create new gameplay experiences.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents deep analysis and applies mechanics to create innovative gameplay scenarios with clear predicted outcomes.

Proficient

3 Points

Conducts a solid analysis of mechanics with appropriate predicted outcomes and application scenarios.

Developing

2 Points

Provides basic analysis with inconsistent application of mechanics and less clear outcomes.

Beginning

1 Points

Minimal analysis with unclear connections between mechanics and outcomes.

Criterion 3

Creativity and Innovation in Game Remix

Assesses the creativity and innovative approach taken in altering game elements, mechanics, and components.

Exemplary

4 Points

Exhibits outstanding creativity in remixing games with unique and original alterations, enhancing gameplay experience.

Proficient

3 Points

Displays creativity in making thoughtful alterations that improve the gameplay experience.

Developing

2 Points

Makes some creative alterations, though they may not significantly impact the gameplay experience.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to make creative alterations, resulting in minimal change to the gameplay experience.

Category 2

Use of Digital Tools for Prototyping

Evaluates the strategic use of digital media and technology tools to prototype the remixed game version.

Criterion 1

Strategic Use of Digital Tools

Assesses the effectiveness and creativity in using digital tools to create a prototype of the game remix.

Exemplary

4 Points

Excellently utilizes digital tools to create a highly effective and innovative game prototype with strategic media use.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively uses digital tools to produce a solid game prototype with clear media integration.

Developing

2 Points

Uses digital tools to create a basic game prototype with some effective media use.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to use digital tools, resulting in incomplete or ineffective game prototypes.

Category 3

Feedback Analysis and Iteration

Evaluates students' ability to collect, analyze, and apply peer feedback to improve their game design.

Criterion 1

Collection and Analysis of Feedback

Assesses the ability to gather productive feedback and analyze its implications for game improvement.

Exemplary

4 Points

Thoroughly collects, analyzes feedback, and effectively applies it to significantly enhance game design.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively collects and analyzes feedback to make meaningful improvements to the game.

Developing

2 Points

Collects feedback with basic analysis, leading to minor improvements in design.

Beginning

1 Points

Gathers minimal feedback with little analysis, resulting in unchanged or minimally improved designs.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

How did participating in the various activities help you understand the principles of gameplay such as elements, mechanics, and components?

Text

Required

Question 2

Which activity did you find most beneficial in learning how to creatively remix a game? Why?

Text

Required

Question 3

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about using digital media and technology to remix a game after completing this project?

Scale

Required

Question 4

In what ways did feedback from peers during the 'Playtest & Feedback Session' influence your final game design?

Text

Required

Question 5

Do you think there is a strong connection between art and technology in video game design?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Yes, strongly connected

Somewhat connected

Not connected at all