The researchers developed an experimental learning software called "Adventure Creator" to teach game design to children. They conducted workshops with over 70 elementary school students using the software. The students learned about important game elements like goals, sounds, and character speed and their effects on making games fun. Most students responded that these factors can improve how fun a game is. The researchers plan to create an online program for children to learn game design at home.

1. RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2015
www.PosterPresentations.com
MOTIVATION
RELATED WORK
CONCLUSION & FUTURE WORK
It was shown that the game design workshops using our
software were an effective way for children to learn the
importance of different game elements and their effects on
the player.
We plan to make a program for learning at home using the
Internet.
Yoshihiro Kishimoto, Yusuke Yamamoto, Kazuki Murakami and Koji Mikami
School of Media Science, Tokyo University of Technology
kishimotoy@stf.teu.ac.jp
GAME DESIGN WORKSHOPS FOR
CHILDREN USING AN EXPERIMENTAL
LEARNING SOFTWARE PROGRAM
APPROACH
RESULT
- Proposed program for teaching programming in elementary
school using Scratch and WeDo [Yamamoto et al. 2014]
- Game workshop for elementary school students using "Mario
Maker" directly advised by game creator from Nintendo
[2015]
- The attempt of teaching the experience of "making games" at
an elementary school [Kishimoto et al. 2013]
RHYTHM-GROUP THEORY
We developed "Adventure Creator", an experimental learning
software for game development aimed for children. Further,
we conducted workshops for testing the software.
 Game design factors
The game design factors were developed so that they could
easily be arranged visually.
EXPERIMENT
One of the most popular professions sought after by elementary
school students is to become a game creator. However, there are
few game development experience softwares and workshops
made available for these young, aspiring creators.
Stage editor screen (Arrangement of blocks, enemies, etc.)
Sound setting screen (Implementation and adjustments of
sounds, effects and parameters)
Elementary school students playing
We conducted workshops with over 70 elementary school
students in order for them to gain the experience of creating
games.
As a result, over 90% of the children answered: "Goal effect
can make the game more fun", "Sound can make the game
more fun", and "Changing the speed of the main character
etc. can make the game more fun".
Play screen (Checking if the game was fun)
 Learning factors
 How the arrangement of blocks and enemies can make a
game more fun
 Changing sounds, effects and parameters can make a game
more fun