Providing opportunity into the world of game design
At St Hilda’s, we are committed to nurturing our students’ talents in every aspect of Digital Technologies, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate and thrive in the modern world. Our recent Year 7 Game Development Project is a testament to this commitment, providing students with a unique opportunity to dive into the exciting world of game design.
Last semester, our Year 7 students embarked on a creative journey, forming their game development studios and designing original games as part of their Digital Technologies curriculum. The project culminated in a vibrant mini expo entitled “Hilda’s Gamescom,” modelled after the world-famous Gamescom expo held yearly in Cologne. Students proudly showcased their creations to their peers and teachers.
From proposal to launch
The project began with students developing proposals for their games, which included everything from storyline and character development to target audience analysis and gameplay mechanics. A vital component of this phase was engaging with “investors”—represented by their teachers—who would be “funding” the development of their games. This step required the students to pitch their ideas convincingly, much like in the real-world game development process, where securing funding is crucial to bringing a game to market.
Following the proposal phase, the students entered the game development stage, utilising Scratch, a user-friendly beginner programming platform that allowed them to bring their ideas to life. Using Scratch’s intuitive coding blocks, the students programmed the games themselves, learning the logic and structure of coding through hands-on experience. Over several weeks, they meticulously crafted their games, focusing on elements such as level design, visual appeal, and user experience.
Like the professional world, the students’ games underwent reviews and were launched at the mini expo, simulating the excitement and pressure of a real-world game launch. This entire experience provided an authentic glimpse into the complexities of game development, highlighting the importance of planning, technical skill, and creativity.
St Hilda’s Gamescom
The mini expo celebrated the student’s hard work and a significant learning experience. The students received valuable feedback from their peers and teachers, which they reflected upon to consider how they might improve their games in future iterations. This reflective process is essential to the learning journey, teaching students to think critically about their work and continuously strive for improvement.
The importance of Digital Technologies at St Hilda’s
At St Hilda’s, we recognise the importance of Digital Technologies in today’s world and are dedicated to providing our students with hands-on experience in this ever-evolving field. Projects like the Year 7 Game Development introduce students to the technical skills needed in the digital age and foster creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration—invaluable skills in any future career.
As we look to the future, we are excited to continue offering our students opportunities to explore all areas of the tech world, ensuring they are well-prepared to be the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.
