Game Programming 1:
Create Amazing Games
Learn how to make games with someone who has worked in the game industry and taught game design in college and programming at companies like Google.
Class Logistics
This course is intended for students in grade 4 to 8. Students are not expected to have any programming background, but some knowledge of typing is helpful (but also not required).
Gateway to Real Programming
While this class is about making games, the actual intent is getting students interested in real code. Programming games teaches students the logic and layout of more complicated application and scripts. Children already understand how most simple games work, and thus can understand most game programming objectives quickly without needing too much explanation. They just need to be taught how to achieve what they already know they want to do.
Actual Python
While there are many after-school programs that teach coding using simplified programming tools, in this course students will learn a real language with immediate applications. Python is real programming language popularized by companies like Google and used in products, data science, and many areas within Artificial Intelligence.
Actual Pygame
Other game courses often use Pygame Zero or other simplified game systems, but CloudCage uses full Pygame and teaches it in a simplified way so that students can extend their code as they grow without having to relearn concepts or change infrastructures.
Actual Gamer
The course instructor has worked at game companies like Playdom (acquired by Disney) and taught Game Development and Design in college. More than just game coding, students will learn concepts in game design and consider why and how mechanisms like “cool down” are implemented.
Actual Programmer
The teacher of the course has also worked as an engineer building testing frameworks and working on a variety of projects at companies like Brocade, NetApp, and Google (where he interacted with Guido van Rossum, the creator of Python). He has mentored fellow engineers on his teams specifically in Python and taught Python in local colleges using community coding guidelines.
Actual Parent
The teacher of the class is also a parent just like you who understands the value of your time and your children’s education.
Actual coding is not much harder to understand than the graphical interfaces used to teach programming to younger coders, and it teaches adjunct skills such as typing and increased attention to details. These are all skills necessary in any STEM field, and there is no better time to start building these skills than now.
“(the instructor) is very engaging and fun. It is clear he likes children, and the children like him. I just can’t always tell when he is joking.”
–Family of a former student
Make whatever you can imagine
So many games and game types…
Recreate existing games
2D versions of 3D games
Make similar games
Side scrolling games
With familiar characters
And your own creations