It's all about the tools and the process!

"Design thinking" llinked to the Green Garbage Game project starts by formulating and answering some key questions:

• Who will potentially play the video game?
• What makes a video game enjoyable to play versus not enjoyable?
• How will the video game convey the intended message to your audience through the game play?
• What features of 3D models and animation should be combined to create this video game?
• How can titles and other text graphics fit into the game to provide additional information to the video game players?
• How can primitive 3D objects in a 3D program be used to represent complex real-world objects?
• How will you convey the consequences of the user’s actions or decisions and how will they advance or hinder environmental sustainability?
• Has a budget been established for the project?
• What is your schedule for completion?
• What inspires you about this project?

Process:

For the Green Garbage Game project, students may choose to closely align their work with the parameters that Carl Callewaert presents in the videos. They can also use the process as a framework to develop their own video game design and challenge. The bottom line is this: If students can expand and enhance their ability to combine the innovation capabilities of the software and the power of the design thinking process, then the goals of this curriculum have been achieved.

Design considerations used in the example project are as follows:

• Purpose: To design and develop a video game that is fun to play and teaches people about the benefits of recycling or other sustainability topics.
• Target audience: All age groups.
• Parameters: Create a serious game that offers a casual gaming experience and provides information on a subject that you have thoroughly researched.
• Production: 30 hours to complete all seven design phases.