Game
Precedents
WHAT WE ARE DOING
WHY WE ARE DOING IT
Researching and exploring themes for our games
To build a library of examples that we can learn from and use to inspire our own game designs
ACTIVITY MATERIALS
Laptop + access to
CoSpaces account
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Test various games on CoSpaces to understand their mechanics and potential
Choose one game that interests you most to analyze
Break down the game's theme, key components, and mechanics
Create a presentation summarizing your analysis and share it with the class to contribute to a collective game library.
~1hr
1st
Create an account on CoSpaces. https://edu.cospaces.io/Universe
~15min
Go to "Gallery" and search for games, and test them out!
You can search for specific things
2nd
Go to the 'Resources' tab and find games to explore, or select a game you already know/like.
~5min
GAME ANALYSIS
3rd
Break down the game's theme, key components, and mechanics
TYPE/THEME
Game Components
Mechanics
Objects & Entities
Game description
Environment
~5min
~15min
~5min
GAME ANALYSIS
3rd
Break down the game's theme, key components, and mechanics
TYPE/THEME
Game Components
Mechanics
Objects & Entities
Game description
Environment
~5min
~15min
~30min
GAME ANALYSIS I Type/Theme
GAME EXAMPLE: Science
[Biology]
Payers take on the role of environmental scientists exploring diverse ecosystem. Game focuses on teaching players about various ecosystems such as forests, oceans, and wetlands, while also addressing critical issues like climate change, conservation, and biodiversity.
GAME ANALYSIS I Type/Theme
GAME EXAMPLE: Technology
[Physics]
A game where players design and test basic electrical circuits to power simple devices like lights, fans, or alarms. The focus is on teaching fundamental concepts of electrical engineering, such as circuits, voltage, and current flow.
GAME ANALYSIS I Type/Theme
GAME EXAMPLE 1: Engineering
Players are tasked with designing and constructing a floating city in the sky (design buildings, transportation systems, and environmental controls, testing the city’s stability against natural forces like wind or earthquakes).
Players create and test mechanical machines using gears, levers, and pulleys. The game introduces students to basic mechanical engineering concepts like motion, force, and energy transfer.
GAME EXAMPLE 2: Engineering [physics]
GAME ANALYSIS I Type/Theme
GAME EXAMPLE: Art
Players design and shape 3D sculptures using modeling tools within CoSpaces and voxel design. By crafting virtual objects, they explore the art of sculpture and spatial reasoning, learning about materials, textures, and proportions. Challenges include creating sculptures based on themes or specific design guidelines, fostering creativity and technical skills. This game encourages students to experiment with different shapes and forms, teaching them key principles in sculpture and design.
GAME ANALYSIS I Type/Theme
GAME EXAMPLE 1: Mathematics
Players run a farm where they need to manage resources (such as crops and animals) using fractions and percentages.
Players must travel through time and solve mathematical problems related to different historical periods, like ancient Egypt, Renaissance Europe, or futuristic societies.
GAME EXAMPLE 2: Mathematics
GAME ANALYSIS
3rd
Break down the game's theme, key components, and mechanics
TYPE/THEME
Game Components
Mechanics
Objects & Entities
Game description
Environment
~5min
~15min
~30min
3rd
3rd
GAME ANALYSIS I Game Components I World
Musical Hall
Historical Sites
Platform Parkour
Space Gavity
Puzzle Solving arena
City building Site
3rd
3rd
GAME ANALYSIS I Game Components I
Objects & Entities/Player
3rd
3rd
GAME ANALYSIS I Game Components I Plot
What is the plot of the game?
Example: The Legend of Zelda
In a vast open world, players control Link, who awakens from a long slumber to find Hyrule in ruins after a catastrophic event caused by the evil Calamity Ganon. Link must explore the kingdom, regain his strength, and gather allies to confront Ganon and save Princess Zelda.
GAME ANALYSIS
3rd
Break down the game's theme, key components, and mechanics
TYPE/THEME
Game Components
Mechanics
Objects & Entities
Game description
Environment
~5min
~15min
~30min
3rd
3rd
Movement Mechanics
Interactions & Building
Dynamic Events
Dissect and find the games mechanics
Walk, Run, Dodge, Jump, Backfli, Sprint, Kick, Dive, Dig, Fly, Swim, Moving Objects, Climb, Slide, Roll, Teleportation, Crouch, Defense, Casting Spells, Healing, Disguise, Invisible, Silent, Hide, Regenerate
Cook, Read, Repair, Eat, Sell, Store, Clean, Trade, Upgrade, Farm
Day-night Cycle, Natural Disasters, Seasonal Cycles
GAME ANALYSIS I Mechanics
DELIVERABLES
BLOG POST (including images of the games and a completed table similar to the one seen in the previous slide)
Slide 2 : Theme/ Type + Plot + Characters + World
Slide 1 : Image + Game's Title
Slide 3 : Games Mechanics
Example Post
Crash Bandicoot
~15min
Prompt
Research, test, and analyze various types of video games to understand their themes, mechanics, and components. Use these insights to later design your own video game!
Instructions
Test Video Games:
Play a few games on CoSpaces to understand the potential of the tool. Explore different types of games such as platformers, puzzle games, and strategy games.Select a Game Type:
Choose a video game that you would like to research and analyze further. Focus on one that interests you the most and features game mechanics you’d like to incorporate into your own design.Analyze the Game:
Study the game’s theme, mechanics, and components in-depth. Use the provided template to break down the following:- Type/Theme: What is the concept of the game?
- Game Components: What are the key components (characters, environments, objects) that define the game world?
- Mechanics: Analyze the gameplay elements and rules. How do the mechanics work together? Focus on:
- Movement Mechanics: How does the character move? (e.g., running, jumping, flying, climbing)
- Interactions & Building: How do players interact with the world? Can they build or modify the environment (e.g., crafting, cooking)?
- Dynamic Events: Does the game feature random or scheduled events like day-night cycles or environmental hazards?
- Create a quick presentation to summarize your findings,.
Present & Build a Game Library:
Each student will present their slide deck to the class. This will contribute to a collective library of video game concepts and mechanics for the studio, showcasing diverse designs.
Deliverables
In the 'responses tab' -> Post a blog summarizing your analysis of a video game, covering its theme, game components/mechanics, and relevant images.
Time 1hr
Materials PC, Paper, Makers, Pencils, and Cospaces account.