Santa Ana Unified School District COURSE OUTLINE Course Title: E-Sports: History and Creating Video Games District Course #: Department: CTE Grade Level: 9-12 Course Length: 180 Hours Prerequisites: None Course Description: In this course, students will learn about the technologies and design principles that have been the foundation and development of video game technology over the last 50 years. Students will examine and discuss the impact of video games on culture and the economy. Students will learn about the current gaming and e-sports landscape, including strategies and techniques of top teams and individuals. This course will also discuss the possible risks and dangers of video games and understand how to set appropriate time and content parameters. Students learn the basics of coding through creating 3D video games of their design and as part of this “Workplace” simulation, the learner will apply the design process as they build games for a simulated customer and different target audiences and create presentations on their completed projects to practice how to pitch and sell their ideas. Through the multiple projects, the students research topics and target audiences, write game story-lines, storyboard concepts, test games, create game graphics and compose technical documents. Students learn coding through a series of tutorials with interactive videos to learn coding basics, 3D modeling, game mechanics and game related graphics. Page 1 of 15 Santa Ana Unified School District COURSE OVERVIEW: In this course, students will learn about the technologies and design principles that have been the foundation the development of video game technology over the last 50 years. Students will examine and discuss the impact of video games on culture and the economy. Students will learn about the current gaming and e-sports landscape, including strategies and techniques of top teams and individuals. This course will also discuss the risks and dangers of video games and understand how to set appropriate time and content parameters. Finally, the course will identify career paths and opportunities for those who are passionate about gaming. Students learn the basics of coding through creating 3D video games of their design and as part of this “Workplace” simulation, student will apply the design process as they build games for a simulated customer and different target audiences, students will also create presentations of their completed projects to practice how to pitch and sell their ideas. Through the multiple projects, the students research topics and target audiences, write game story-lines, storyboard concepts, test games, create game graphics and compose technical documents. Students learn coding through a series of self-directed tutorials with interactive videos to learn coding basics, 3D modeling, game mechanics and game related graphics. COURSE CONTENT: ATARI AND THE INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO GAMES During this module, students will learn about the development of the first video games and systems. They will gain an understanding of how they were created and developed. From there, the transition from arcade style games to being able to play games at home will be explained. Students will learn about the early successes and failures of the first video games. In this module students will: • Define keywords related to the Atari • Describe how the level of technology available at the time impacted the development of the Atari game system • Examine the gameplay features of key Atari games like Pong, Space Invaders, Pac Man, and E.T. • Discuss the cultural impact of Atari • Identify the arcade as a precursor to social gaming • Describe how the concept of a high score increased game engagement and appeal Key Assignment 1: Analysis and Application Using the material in this module, address the questions; What appealed to people and especially children of the 70s and 80s about gaming? Page 2 of 15 Santa Ana Unified School District What parts of early gameplay, and which aspects of the games are still relevant today? What are the major aspects in which gaming has improved since then? Key Assignment 2: Interview the “Atari Generation” • Find an interviewee who was impacted by Atari in the 70’s and 80’s, and who agrees to participate in the assignment. The interview can be conducted in person, on the phone, virtually, or via email. • Prepare at least eight questions that cover topics from this module, such as: o Aspects of the favorite Atari game that made it appealing o Impact of Atari at home system o Influence of Atari and arcade games in social settings • Be ready to ask follow-up questions, as needed, to prompt more in-depth discussion by the interviewee. CTE Standards 5.0-Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self -generated question) or solve a problem, narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate, synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation NINTENDO AND GAME BOY During this module, students will learn about Nintendo, the first real breakthrough that made video games a commonplace in the home. From here, they will discover the additional creation from Nintendo, the Game Boy, which allowed you to take your video games where ever you went. They will be able to identify the impact that the Game Boy has had on the future of mobile gaming. Students will also learn about intellectual property and copyrights. In this module students will: • Define the key technologies that Nintendo used to create their original NES system and Game Boy • Describe the unique gameplay features and Genres that were pioneered by key NES games like Super Mario Brothers, Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Tecmo • Identify the impact of the Game Boy on the future of mobile gaming • Examine the intellectual property and copyright battles regarding the game of Tetris • Discuss the lasting cultural impact of Mario Brothers Key Assignment 1; Analysis and Application Using the material in this module, address the questions What were the defining features of the NES-era games? What new genres and technologies were pioneered and explored in this time? In what way did gaming change since the first generation Atari consoles? What impact did figures like Mario have on gaming and pop culture? Page 3 of 15 Santa Ana Unified School District Key Assignment 2: Gameplay Analysis The students will choose an NES game to play from an online emulator site like (http://www.playretrogames.com/nintendo/all). Play the game for at least 20-30 minutes and answer questions; What is the name of the game? Who was the original developer? Describe the gameplay. Was it easy or hard to figure out how to play the game? Rate the level of difficulty of gameplay based on their experience. What is the genre of the game? What are the similarities or differences from more modern games in the same genre? What the game fun? Describe the elements that were the most interesting or boring. Imagine that they are a game designer. What changes or improvements would they make to this game? CTE Standards 4.0- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback including new arguments and information. SUPER NINTENDO, SEGA, AND COMPUTER GAMES Through the evolution of gaming, different technologies were integrated with each new system. Students will learn about the key technologies used in the Super NES and Sega, along with the rivalry between the two companies. Students will be able to identify the various game genres of that era (racing, RPG, sports, and action). Finally, they will then learn about computer-based games and how these compared to console-based games. In this module students will: • Define the key technologies used in the Super NES and Sega systems and how the technology enabled new features in gameplay • Identify various game genres that were furthered in the era of Super Nintendo (racing, RPG, sports, action) and define the key characteristics of these genres • Discuss the rivalry between Nintendo and Sega • Describe early computer-based games and how these compared to console- based games • Identify career opportunities as video game tester and educational paths to enter those careers Key Assignment 1: Analysis and Application Using the material in this module, address the questions; What new consoles were released as part of the 16bit era? What made them unique and set them apart from their 8bit predecessors? Which one had the best sales figures worldwide and why? What changes to games and gameplay happened to video games in this era? What genres and franchises evolved, and why? Key Assignment 2:Gameplay Analysis The students will choose a Sega or SNES game to play from an online emulator site like (http://www.playretrogames.com/sega/all or Page 4 of 15 Santa Ana Unified School District http://www.playretrogames.com/super-nintendo/all). Play the game for at least 20- 30 minutes and answer the questions; What is the name of the game? Who was the original developer? Describe the gameplay. Was it easy or hard to figure out how to play the game? Rate the level of difficulty of gameplay based on their experience. What is the genre of the game? What are the similarities or differences from more modern games in the same genre? What the game fun? Describe the elements that were the most interesting or boring. Key Assignment 3: Console War Commercial Students will pick a side in the “console war” by creating a television commercial for either Sega or Super Nintendo. Select one of the consoles and use what they’ve learned about it to persuade the target audience of that time that it is the right system for them.