Video Game Programming

Grade Level: 
High School
Tech Ed, STEM, Pre-Engineering

Lesson Synopsis 
The Program Your Own Game activity explores the work of software engineers and allows student teams to develop their own computer game using free and simple software. Teams present their game to their class, evaluate other games, and reflect on the engineering experience. 
Lesson Focus
- Learn how software engineers develop computer games.
- Learn about the process of product re-engineering.
- Learn how engineering teams address problem solving.
- Learn about teamwork and working in groups.
Internet Connections
- TryEngineering (
- ITEA Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology (
- National Science Education Standards (
- NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (
Recommended Reading
Game Creation For Teens (ISBN: 159863500X)
- Getting Started with Game Maker (ISBN: 1598638823)
Optional Writing Activity 
Write an essay or a paragraph describing the ethical implications of adapting someone else's software programming. The concept of "intellectual property" is an umbrella term for legal entitlements which attach to certain names, written and recorded media, and inventions. Take a stand for or against whether you should provide financial or other credit to the original developer of software that you adapt/change to make new software. Consider that the original software did not sell well, but that your edited version sold very well. As an extension idea, this writing activity could turn into a lively debate of the pros and cons and the concept of intellectual property rights.
For Teachers:
Teacher Resources
Lesson Goal 
Explore engineering problem solving by working in teams to program a new computer game. Students learn about basic computer programming and the work of software engineers. Student teams work together to develop a simple computer program using free software that is available in multiple languages. Students execute their own games, and evaluate the games developed by other student teams.  
Student Resource Sheets and Worksheet  (available from
- Game Maker Tutorials (
1. Download and install the free YoYo Games GameMaker software on multiple computers or in a lab so students can work in teams to develop their games. Note that there is a free limited version and a higher level one for a low fee. The free one will work well in the classroom environment for beginners. (
2. You may also wish to view the tutorials at
3. Show students the various Student Reference Sheets. These may be read in class, or provided as reading material for theprior night's homework. The pages on "beginning programming" should be reviewed by students in advance of using the software on a computer. 
4. Divide students into teams of 2-3 students (you may need to adjust this depending upon how many computer stations you have); provide a set of materials per group.
5. Explain that they are a team of software engineers and they need to develop a new computer game that will be used by students who are aged 6-10.
6. Student teams develop a simple game and share it with the class. 
7. Each student group evaluates the games developed by other teams, and completes an evaluation/reflection worksheet.
This lesson can be extended to a semester long project, or simplified by instructing students to create or enhance any of the demo games that are provided by the software developer. The "space cleaner" game, for example can be modified within a single class period. If you choose to have students modify a game, have them first explore the existing game, meet as a team to determine what changes they would like to engineer into the game, then have them attempt to execute their plan.
Time Needed
One to two 45 minute sessions
Student Resource
Software Engineering: Game History
The Start of Computer Gaming
have been used for computer gaming since at least the 1960s. One of the first computer games was developed in 1961, when MIT students Martin Graetz and Alan Kotok, with MIT employee Stephen Russell, developed Spacewar! on a computer used for statistical calculations. The game consisted of two player-controlled spaceships maneuvering around a central star, each attempting to destroy the other.
The first generation of PC games consisted of text adventures or interactive fiction, in which the player communicated with the computer by entering commands through a keyboard. By the mid-1970s, games were developed and distributed through hobbyist groups and gaming magazines, such as Creative Computing and later Computer Gaming World. These publications provided game code that could be typed into a computer and played, encouraging readers to submit their own software to competitions.
What Software Engineers Do
Software engineers working in applications or systems development analyze users' needs and design, construct, test, and maintain computer applications software or systems. Software engineers can be involved in the design and development of many
Student Resource
Software Engineering: Algorithms
What is an Algorithm?
In mathematics, computing, linguistics, and related disciplines, an algorithm is a finite list of well-defined instructions for accomplishing some task which, given an initial state, will terminate in a defined end-state. The concept of an algorithm originated as a means of recording procedures for solving mathematical problems such as finding the common divisor of two numbers or multiplying two numbers. 
The concept was formalized in 1936 through Alan Turing's Turing machines and Alonzo Church's lambda calculus, which in turn formed the foundation of computer science. A simple example is a flow chart which is basically a logical sequence of steps for solving a problem.
Computer Applications
Algorithms are essential to the way computers process information, because a computer program is essentially an algorithm that tells the computer what specific steps to perform (in what specific order) in order to carry out a specified task, such as calculating an invoice, printing report cards, or completing a budget analysis. 
Because an algorithm is a precise list of precise steps, the order of computation will almost always be critical to the functioning of the algorithm. Instructions are usually assumed to be listed explicitly, and are described as starting 'from the top' and going 'to the bottom,' -- sometimes also called "flow of control."
Some example classes are search algorithms, sorting algorithms, merge algorithms, numerical algorithms, graph algorithms, string algorithms, computational geometric algorithms, combinatorial algorithms, machine learning, cryptography, data compression algorithms and parsing techniques.
Student Assignment: You are the Engineer!
You are a team of engineers which has to tackle the challenge of developing a new computer game for use by 6 - 10 year old children.
1. Review the various Student Reference Sheets.  
2. Read the Basic Programming guide that has been provided to you.
Activity Steps
1. As a team, come up with a plan or idea for your game -- also come up with a name for  your game. Write a two sentence description of your new game that might be used in an advertisement:
2. Work together using the software and build your game.
3. Present your game to other teams in your class so they can see how your game works (you'll test out their games as well).
4. Complete the following questions about your game and other games developed in your classroom.
5. As a team, present your findings and reflections to the class.
Evaluation Questions
1. How did your plan for your game change once you tried to build it using the software provided? 
4. What challenges did you face in building your game?
5. What other games developed in your classroom did you like the best? Why? What features appealed to you?
6. Do you think it was easier or harder to have developed this game as part of a team? Do you think you would have been able to create your new design if you had not been working in a team? What are the advantages of teamwork vs. working alone?
7. What did you learn about how engineers solve problems through this lesson?
For Teachers:
Alignment to Curriculum Frameworks
Note: All lesson plans in this series are aligned to the National Science Education Standards which were produced by the National Research Council and endorsed by the National Science Teachers Association, and if applicable, also to the International Technology Education Association's Standards for Technological Literacy or the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Principles and Standards for School Mathematics.
National Science Education Standards Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)
CONTENT STANDARD A: Science as Inquiry
As a result of activities, all students should develop
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry 
CONTENT STANDARD E: Science and Technology
As a result of activities, all students should develop
Abilities of technological design 
Understandings about science and technology 
CONTENT STANDARD G: History and Nature of Science
As a result of activities, all students should develop understanding of
Historical perspectives 
Standards for Technological Literacy - All Ages
The Nature of Technology
Standard 2: Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.
Technology and Society
Standard 7: Students will develop an understanding of the influence of technology on history.
Standard 9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design.
Abilities for a Technological World
Standard 12: Students will develop abilities to use and maintain technological products and systems.
The Designed World
Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
Number and Operations Standard
As a result of activities, all students should develop
Compute fluently and make reasonable estimates.
Connections Standard
As a result of activities, all students should develop
Recognize and apply mathematics in contexts outside of mathematics.