Video Game Design
Video Game Design - Mr. Stevens
Video Game Design 10
The Game Development course is taught by Mr. Stevens and begins to prepare students for a post-secondary track in game design and development. A heavy focus on programming with the C# language in collaboration with the popular Unity Game Engine is applied in combination with basic use of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create custom game assets for a variety of video game styles. Students will create several video games from basic console applications to virtual reality design. Note that students taking intermediate / senior graphic design, film production, or D&D may have overlapping modules which could result in earning fewer than five credits and coordination with other CTS programs may be required. Modules are drawn from computer science and new media streams.
Students begin the semester with an introduction to sprite sheet creation, creating five individual sprites (or five in series (animation) in Photoshop. They then combine the sprites onto a single sheet for the deliverable before moving into the basics of structured programming using C# and Visual Studio. We study the fundamentals of structured programming in preparation for the intermediate game design course which exclusively uses Unity and C#. Using programming logic and creative writing, students embark on the creation of a text-based adventure game using Console Programming in Visual Studio. This project is comprised of five milestones which lead students through each step of the creation process resulting in a final project that can be played and reviewed by their peers. In the second half of the course, students will move into the basics of using Unity to create a sprite-based 2D platform game.
Video Game Design 20 & 30
Students begin by setting up the tools required for the course including an account on Unity3D or Unreal Engine, and the configuration of each. Students progress collectively through a refresher of the course pre-requirements and a primer on procedural programming using the C# language which touches on the basic concepts of Object-Oriented workflows.
20 level game design receives instruction in the creation of a top-down 2D RPG in Unity using tile sets and original graphics.
Depending on each student’s selected path, they will complete the current project and then move on to tackle multiple exercises designed to challenge their critical thinking and logic skills.
At the 30 level, students are responsible for proposing a custom project which is evaluated in stages for curriculum outcomes in both CSE (Computer Science) and COM (Communications Technology) modules. They will work through all stages of the project life cycle as they strive to bring their creative visions to life in a quasi-production environment.
Media and Production Lab
All media (graphic design / video production) and video game design classes take place in the media lab in the CTS wing. This lab offers a relaxing and immersive educational environment suitable for small group creative work across the digital design spectrum. The lab has received additional funding via grants to provide students with a top tier media production experience and includes the following features:
- A well-balanced media production PC for each student with Unity, Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Visual Studio and more
- Greenscreen with OBS live broadcasting / streaming system, five-point LED studio lighting, and teleprompter (used every morning for live school announcements)
- VR workstations and Meta Quest headsets for mobile VR game development
- A separate light room dedicated for photography and video production with backdrop system and lighting
- Production equipment including cameras, lenses, stabilizers, gimbles, supports, lighting kit, diffusion, bounces, C stands, dolly/track, lav mics, handheld mics, boom poles, location sound gear, field recorders, headphones and a broad spectrum of other film and video production hardware
Meet Mr. Stevens
Mr. Stevens teaches Media and Video Game Design courses for junior and senior high school students, leveraging his extensive experience in both industry and education. He has directed content for CBC and produced, directed, and written films that have been showcased internationally, from New York City to Berlin. In the classroom, Mr. Stevens excels in engaging students with real-world design challenges, fostering strong teamwork, and enhancing communication skills. He encourages collaboration and problem-solving, preparing students for the demands of the professional world. Mr. Stevens also brings a strong background in game design and programming, with hands-on commercial experience developing multiplayer, cross-platform virtual reality games for mobile VR and PC VR. He holds a Master's degree in Leadership and Technology from the University of Ottawa and completed the academic coursework for the Doctor of Learning Sciences program at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, in 2015. He is currently pursuing a variety of creative projects, including novel writing and Open-World VR game development.
Skills Canada
The Skills Canada Secondary Competition is an annual event that brings together high school students from across Canada to compete in various skilled trades and technology disciplines. The competition aims to showcase the talents of young Canadians and encourage them to pursue careers in skilled trades, technology, and applied sciences.
Key points about the competition:
- Categories: The competition includes a wide range of categories such as welding, carpentry, automotive technology, culinary arts, robotics, graphic design, and more.
- Participants: It is open to high school students, typically between the ages of 14 and 17, who have qualified through regional or provincial competitions.
- Skills Development: Students compete by demonstrating their skills in real-world challenges designed to assess their technical abilities, problem-solving, and creativity in various fields.
- Promoting Career Paths: The event promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment in these fields.
- Recognition: Winners receive medals, scholarships, and the chance to represent their province at the national level.
Overall, Skills Canada aims to inspire and motivate students to explore and excel in the world of trades and technology, contributing to a skilled and diverse workforce.
Mr. Stevens' New Media class has a rich history of successful competition at all levels of Skills Canada, including National Gold in Video Production in 2022 and multiple provincial Gold medals in various CTS design disciplines.
Our Students in the Press
Please contact Mr. Stevens for more information regarding Video Game Design.
