Using GameMaker Studio and Unity 3D to design games while teaching students fundamental concepts of computer programming.

1. Game Design
as an intro to
Computer Science
Mark Suter
HS Computer Tech teacher Grades 6-12
Pandora, Ohio

2. ● Leverage current interests
● Ownership
● Concepts > Syntax is less intimidating
Why Game Design as intro to CS?

3. Paraphrased CSTA “Computational
Thinking” Definition
“using a computer to solve problems using
models and simulations through an automated
series of steps (an algorithm) that can then be
transferred to other, more complicated
problems.”

4. Paraphrased CSTA “Computational
Thinking” Definition
1. Using a computer to solve problems
2. using models and simulations
3. through an automated series of steps (an
algorithm)
4. that can then be transferred to other, more
complicated problems.

7. GameMaker
Mark Overmars
- Creator of GameMaker

9. Concepts explicitly covered in GM
● “Sequence”
● variables
● global vs. local vars
o “1945” invincible error
● loops
o sir-clicks shoot alarm
● if...then
● debugging
o “sir-C” working shooter
● UI Design
o C.A.R.P. (Contrast, Alignment,
Repetition, Proximity)
● DnD is just the
beginning…
o 100 DnD vs 1000
GML commands

12. Transferring Concepts
● Create event/OnStart
● Collision (destroying one of the objects)
● Declare a variable
● if statement

13. Transfer: Create event/OnStart
GameMaker
Unity 3D

14. Transfer: Collision (destroying one of the objects)
GameMaker
Unity 3D

15. Transfer: Declare a variable
GameMaker
Unity 3D

16. Transfer: if statement
GameMaker
Unity 3D

17. Resources
● “Teaching Computer Science through Game Design” by Mark Overmars, 2004
http://courseweb.lis.illinois.edu/~bnsmith3/gaming/files/Teaching%20Computer%20Science%20through%20Gam
e%20Design.pdf
● GameMaker DnD icon reference https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D9A2AEE8712F052%2164002
● Gamemaker DnD to GML
referencehttp://www.packtpub.com/sites/default/files/downloads/4100OT_Appendix_Drag_and_drop_Icons_to_G
ameMaker_Language_Reference.pdf
● GameMaker Tutorials (by Mr. Suter): https://sites.google.com/site/mrsuterstechlab/videos/tutorials
● GameMaker. (You must IMPORT these, not OPEN)
o Sir-Clicks-A-Lot Starter file http://1drv.ms/1jow9Ov
o Sir Clicks-A-Lot shooter https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D9A2AEE8712F052%2164000
o 1945 Scroller with endboss and 2 powerup types
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D9A2AEE8712F052%2163999