C# Programming
This course will be delivered in Canvas.
The C# Programming in Unity course teaches the fundamentals of designing a game using the most widely accessed and preferred editing engine in the world. The intent of this course is to prepare high school students with the industry related skills needed for the workplace and higher learning environments. By the end of this course, they will understand the design planning process, be knowledgeable of industry related careers, and be able to navigate the Unity environment in order to create 3D games.
Unit 1: Intro to Game Design
In this module, students will be introduced to the gaming industry by exploring what it means to be a game developer and observing the role of the consumer. The module includes an overview of the industry, the history of video games, and a case study review. Students will also participate in a mindset check to prepare them for the course. The content of this module is mostly specific to the gaming industry.
Objectives / Topics Covered |
● Welcome to Game Design
● Intro to Game Design
● History of Video Games |
Example Assignments
/ Labs |
● Welcome and Intro to Game Design
○ Students learn about the course and get an overview of the game design. They get to reflect on what they already know about video games and what they hope to get out of the course.
● History of Video Games
○ It’s important to understand the context of how modern video games came to be before jumping into developing their own games. Students get a glimpse of how games and consoles have developed over time. |
Unit 2: Exploring the Industry
Students learn about the game design industry, different roles involved in the creation of video games, and what it means to be a game developer.
Objectives / Topics Covered |
● Careers in Game Design
● Scavenger Hunt: Careers in Game Design
● Game Industry Insights |
Example Assignments
/ Labs |
● Careers in Game Design
○ Students watch videos that shadow employees at game design studios in order to get insight into what it means to be a game designer / developer. Students then reflect on what they saw and where their interests lie.
● Scavenger Hunt: Careers in Game Design
○ Building off the last lesson, students learn more about the different roles involved in game design and development. They get to think about which role interests them and why.
● Game Industry Insights
○ Rounding out this module, this lesson has students conduct research about a game design studio. They investigate everything from the size and location of the studio, to the roles on the development teams, to the studio’s game design philosophy. Students then present their findings on a one-page webpage. |
Module 3: Unity Fundamentals
In this module, students will continue their understanding of game design by becoming familiar with the Unity game engine. Here, they will learn how to sign up, download, and navigate the Unity platform. They will also learn how to access necessary game assets and submit assignments for this course. The content in this module is mostly specific to the Unity game engine.
Objectives / Topics Covered |
● Intro to Unity and Unity Setup
● Course Management
● Unity Basics
● Using Prefab Objects
● Getting Started with AI
● Third Person Mechanics
● Building a Scene |
Example Assignments
/ Labs |
● Intro to Unity, Unity Setup, Course Management
○ Students learn more about Unity as a game engine and what sort of games have been developed with it. They set up their own Unity accounts and install the free software on their computer. They also configure the Collaborate tool that will be used throughout the course to share projects with their teacher.
● Unity Basics
○ Students work on their first project in Unity, learning the basics about GameObjects and how to transform them and add colors.
● Using Prefab Objects
○ In this tutorial, students will use premade assets to dive deeper into prefab GameObjects and build their own car driving game.
● Getting Started with AI
○ This tutorial has students add an AI jet to their prefab jet scene. They learn how to manipulate the components of both jets and change the path of the AI jet.
● Third Person Mechanics
○ Students get to use a third person character for the first time in a token collecting game. They learn how to apply a controller to a new character, manipulate the components so they are “collected”, and create their first user interface.
● Building a Scene
○ Students get to apply the skills they’ve learned in this module in building a full custom scene with polygonal nature assets. They learn a few best-practice tips about designing their scene as well. |
Unit 4: Legal and Ethical Consideration
Students explore legal and ethical issues in the field of game design.
Objectives / Topics Covered |
● Copyright Rules
● Ethical Considerations
● Security in Game Design
● Representation in Technology |
Example Assignments
/ Labs |
● Applying Copyright Laws to Video Game Design
○ Students learn about copyright laws as they apply to games and
examine the case between Atari v. North American Phillips.
● Ethical Consideration
○ Students learn about the role of governing bodies and developers in the context of developing games.
● Security in Game Design
○ Students read about the current cybersecurity threats in gaming and think how developers can be proactive in mitigating these threats.
● Representation in Technology
○ Students learn about the lack of representation of women and minorities in the game design industry, think about the effects this has on the industry, and identify ways a developer or design studio can address these issues. |
Unit 5: Project: Your First Game
This module guides students through the game design process as they create their first simple game from scratch. In doing so, they investigate basic principles of good games and think about how to apply these ideas in their own creations.
Objectives / Topics Covered |
● What Makes a Good Game?
● Planning Your Game
● Making Your Game
● Publishing and Presenting Your Game |
Example Assignments
/ Labs |
● What Makes a Good Game?
○ Students examine a few basic principles that all good games follow.
● Planning Your Game
○ Students brainstorm ideas for their game and slowly whittle their first game concept. In doing so, they receive feedback from their peers and iterate on their plan.
● Making Your Game
○ Students start by developing quick prototypes of their game’s environment, character, and gameplay. After more peer feedback, they iterate their designs and finalize their game.
● Publishing and Presenting Your Game
○ Students learn how to publish a game in Unity so that all may play it! They update their game design document and present their design process and game to the class. |
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