skip to main content

Summary

This module will help you develop a basic idea for a game based on this year’s STEM VGC theme.

a young man sitting on chair wearing headphones and using a laptop

Documents used in this module

Before you start

Before starting these activities, it is recommended that you have: 

  • Formed a team and assigned roles (if you wish to submit a game as a team)
  • Watched the gameplay videos on the STEM VGC website showcasing last season’s winning entries.

Tasks

  1. Read the Game Design Document Template

    • As part of your entry to the STEM VGC, you need to submit a Game Design Document (GDD). The GDD helps you plan your game. When you submit your game, the GDD will help judges understand how you went about making your game.
    • Judges will score your GDD, as well as your game. You should write your GDD as you develop your game.
    • When reading the GDD template, be sure to look at the Designing: Game overview and Theme sections. The tasks in this module will help you complete those sections.

  2. Look at this year’s theme sheet

    • The STEM VGC theme sheet shows you the theme for this year. It has lots of suggestions to help kickstart your thinking about what game you might like to make!

  3. Brainstorm some ideas for games

    • Write down as many ideas for games, based on the theme, as you can think of.
    • You can do this either individually or in your team.
    • If you need some inspiration, you might like to look at this website, which explains different game genres.
    • Discuss each of the ideas and decide which game concept you would like to proceed with. You might like to consider:
      • Which game would be most fun to play?
      • Which games are most practical to create?
      • Which games link best with the theme?

  4. Begin writing your GDD

    • Once you have decided on your game concept, you can start answering the questions in the following sections of the GDD template:
        • Designing: Game overview
        • Theme

Level-up activities

If you are interested in learning more about the theory behind what makes games fun to play, have a look at these resources:

  • Sasquatch B Studios video on what makes a game fun (please note that there is some censored swearing at the beginning of this video).
  • Plymouth State University article on what makes a game fun.


If you are looking for more inspiration, Godot Engine has several game showcase videos on its YouTube channel that are great examples of the types of games you might like to create for this challenge.

If you are completing these activities as a group, you might like to use a collaboration tool like Miro to help with your brainstorming and discussion.