In this blog, I’ll be discussing the thrilling experience of my summer graduate game design coursework. I’ve had the chance to go deeply into the mechanics and learning objectives of my game design document while enrolled in the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies program at the University of Missouri Columbia and working with Dr. Joseph Griffin at the Adriot Studios Gaming Lab. I’ll also talk about my goals for having Grendel Games create my game, as proposed by Dr. Danielle Oprean. Let’s go into the specifics and examine the route I took to realize my game.
One of the primary abilities I’ve been working on throughout my summer graduate school work is the ability to succinctly and effectively convey my game concept. This required mastering the two-pager writing style, which captures the essential game mechanics, features, and objectives. I’ve polished my ability to condense complicated game concepts into a simple and concise paper through repeated revisions and criticism from Dr. Joseph Griffin. The two-page document acts as a development process road map, ensuring that everyone involved is aware of the game’s goals.
The mechanics and learning objectives from the game design document:
I’ve spent a lot of time and work over the past year creating a thorough game design document. This longer paper provides a thorough examination of the gameplay progression, character development, narrative components, locations, and game mechanics beyond the scope of the two-pager. Additionally, I concentrated on designing the game’s built-in learning objectives. My mission is to develop an immersive experience that effortlessly combines pleasure and learning by matching educational objectives with compelling gaming mechanics.
Examining Potential Developmental Opportunities
I had originally envisioned developing my game in conjunction with Adriot Studios. This alternative was not practical during the summer term owing to schedule and financial limitations. But I’m happy to report that Grendel Games in the Netherlands was Dr. Danielle Oprean’s suggestion for my game’s development. This offers a fantastic chance to work with experts in the field and gain practical experience in game production. with a Zoom call with Dr. Glyn Burtt, I discovered the various possibilities that Grendel has to assist me with making my game come to life. Grendel’s Game Jam program, which includes a questionnaire covering many topics such project goals, value proposition, target audience, efficacy, platform, and distribution, was one fascinating alternative mentioned. Their own 2-page version of this questionnaire was used, but mine ended up being longerโroughly 10 pages in all.
The collaboration Journey with Grendel Games: As I establish a collaboration with Grendel Games to create my game, I’m excited about the chance to immerse myself in a vibrant and creative atmosphere. Motivated by the experiences of Grendel Games founder Tim Laning, who has made significant contributions to the industry, I’m eager to work closely with seasoned game developers. This presents an opportunity for me to hone my game design abilities and get priceless knowledge about the complexities of the development process.
Grendel Games seems a fitting choice, given that it is located in Leeuwarden, a city well-known for its dedication to language revival and multilingualism. This background fits in nicely with the artistic process of making video games, which frequently entails creating rich language environments and engrossing tales. This experience is expected to extend my horizons and expose me to various points of view inside the industry, which will ultimately enhance my comprehension of game production.
In conclusion, my graduate schoolwork in game design over the summer has been a thrilling experience where I’ve learnt to master (as much as one can in 8 weeks) the art of the two-pager and develop the mechanics and learning outcomes of my game design document. I’ve started an interesting opportunity with Grendel Games in the Netherlands in addition to continuing my internship with Adriot Studios. I hope this will help me expand my practical abilities and further the creation of my game. Dr. Joseph Griffin and Dr. Danielle Oprean, who have been essential in influencing my path so far, have my gratitude for their support and direction.
Follow along for updates as I make my way through the world of game development and realize my goal!!!
