Creating your own game can be an exciting and educational journey.
Not only does game creation provide an avenue to express creativity, but it also cultivates critical problem-solving skills and foundational coding knowledge.
Through the process of conceptualising and designing a game, children can transform abstract ideas into tangible, interactive projects.
They have the freedom to develop unique worlds, which can boost their confidence as they see their visions come to life.
In the forthcoming sections, we will explain the steps involved in game creation. Starting from ideation and planning, moving on to the selection of tools, followed by designing the game, coding it, and finally testing and sharing the completed product.
Scratch
Designed by the MIT Media Lab, Scratch is ideal for younger children starting their coding journey. Its visual programming language, based on drag-and-drop code blocks, allows children to create games and animations without needing to write complex code.
Scratch’s user-friendly interface and extensive library of resources make it highly accessible for kids aged 8 and older. The platform also fosters a collaborative environment, where kids can share their projects and receive feedback from the Scratch community.
Roblox
For slightly older children who have an interest in 3D game development, Roblox offers a more advanced yet accessible option.
Roblox Studio, the platform’s development tool, uses the Lua programming language, which is easy to learn and offers extensive customization options.
Children aged 10 and above can create immersive 3D worlds, and games, and even earn money through in-game purchases made by other players.
Additionally, Roblox provides numerous tutorials and a supportive online community that can help budding game developers learn the ropes.
GameMaker
GameMaker Studio 2 is a powerful yet beginner-friendly option for kids interested in 2D game development. While it offers a drag-and-drop interface similar to Scratch, it also supports more advanced programming through its built-in GameMaker Language (GML).
GameMaker has a wealth of tutorials and an active community that provides assistance and inspiration for new projects.
Choosing the right tool largely depends on the child’s interests, age, and skill level. Parents and children can find tutorials, guides, and community support on each platform’s official website and associated online forums.
The Game Development Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating your own game may seem challenging, but by breaking the process down into manageable steps, kids can easily achieve their game development goals.
Step 1: Brainstorming
The first step is brainstorming. Jot down any game ideas that come to mind. Ask yourself questions like: What type of game do you want to create? What will the objective be? Who are your characters?
Once you have a basic idea, move on to creating a simple game concept. Describe the main elements of your game, including the plot, characters, and setting.
A concept can also include sketches or descriptions of your game’s look and feel. At this stage, it’s important to keep it simple—focus on one core idea.
Step 2: Design
Now it’s time to design your characters, environments, and levels. Begin with basic shapes and forms. You can always add more details later on.
Think about what your characters will look like based on their role: hero, villain, or background. Similarly, design your game environment to match the overall theme.
Different levels should offer varying challenges to keep the player engaged.
Step 3: Coding and Scripting
With your designs in place, move on to the basics of coding and scripting. Choose a platform that is kid-friendly, such as Scratch, GameMaker, or Roblox.
Start with simple tasks like making your character move or setting up a scoring system. For example, you can create a script that makes your character jump when the space bar is pressed or accumulate points when an objective is achieved.
As you build your game, iterative testing and debugging are crucial. Test your game frequently to identify bugs and areas for improvement.
Play the game from different perspectives to find any glitches.
Don’t hesitate to ask friends or family to play-test your game, as they might notice issues you’ve overlooked. Each round of testing will guide you in making your game better and more enjoyable.
Read Also: Children’s Special: How To Create Your Own Game With Scratch
