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Game Design in Secondary Schools

An interdisciplinary teaching project that brings game design into secondary school classrooms, combining computer science, graphic arts and audiovisual production to develop both creative and technical skills through the creation of video games.

The project

Over the past few years I have been collaborating with two teachers of Graphic Design and Audiovisual Disciplines — both with a background in video game production — on an innovative teaching programme that integrates programming with graphic design and visual storytelling.

The project is driven by the belief that game design is a powerful tool for developing computational thinking, creativity and team-working skills, merging disciplines that are typically kept separate — computer science, digital art, storytelling — into a single creative process.

Two years of the programme

🚀 Year 2 Advanced Game Design

A more structured and comprehensive programme that builds on graphic skills and introduces professional tools for creating more complex and complete games.

  • In-depth study of pixel graphics and introduction to other visual styles (vector, illustrative)
  • Creating animations for characters and environments
  • Using GDevelop to build complete 2D games: scenes, interactions, events, physics
  • Designing the game experience: UX, level design, game loop
  • Managing graphic assets, audio and game resources
  • Developing a complete final project, from concept art to a playable prototype
🎨 Pixel Art & Graphics 🎬 Animation 🛠️ GDevelop 🎯 Level Design

🎮 Year 1 Introduction to Game Design

A first approach to the world of game design, focused on understanding the fundamentals of pixel graphics and block-based programming to create arcade games.

  • Introduction to pixel art: colour theory, sprites, tiles and frame-by-frame animation
  • Designing characters and environments in a retro/arcade style
  • Block-based programming with MakeCode Arcade to create 2D games
  • Basic game design: mechanics, levels, scoring and player feedback
  • Presentation and playtesting of final projects
🎨 Pixel Art 🕹️ MakeCode Arcade 🧱 Block programming

Trademark notices: MakeCode Arcade is a product of Microsoft Corporation. GDevelop is open-source software developed and maintained by GDevelop SAS. All trademarks, logos and product names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are referenced solely for descriptive and educational purposes.