It can be hard to know where to begin when trying to develop an entry in the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge (STEM VGC). So, we have created a series of modules to help guide you through the fundamentals of game design and development at your own pace. We’ve done the hard work of analysing different platforms and finding the most useful tools so that you can just get on with creating an awesome entry. Completing all the modules will help you to create a fully developed video game prototype and Game Design Document (GDD) that can be submitted as an entry in the STEM VGC.
When working through these modules we encourage you to work in a team of at least three – creating an entry is a lot of work! Many of the resources in the modules can be used either on devices or printed as hard copies but you will need access to at least one device.
We have grouped the modules together into three different phases: Planning, Design and Reflection. The order of the modules within each phase is structured for optimal time efficiency, but there is flexibility to work in the order that works best for you and your team. For example, we believe it is more time-efficient to start working on a prototype before working on creating visual and audio assets. This allows you to implement and test core game mechanics early before spending time creating the game's visual and audio assets. However, if preferred, you can design visual and audio assets first to have a clearer vision of the game's look and feel, before beginning programming your prototype.
The time it will take to complete each module will vary depending on the platform you choose, the type of game you are creating and how much experience you have with the content of the module. As a guide, you will likely need at least 3–5 hours per week for a term or 10-week period to complete all the modules. This timeframe indicates the minimum amount of time needed to achieve the goal of creating a simple working video game and GDD. If you have more time, we recommend allocating it to the modules in the Design phase.
Certain modules need to be completed before others, such as Game Planning before Gameplay and Mechanics. Look at the Module Organisation Chart to see the recommended order.