YEAR 8 ICT

INTRODUCTION This term we will be learning about computing and gaming. What makes games tick? What skills do you need to be a game maker? General computer skills Have fun and learn something new.

GAMES CHALLENGE Have a look at some of the following games. I want you to think about what skills would be required to create them. Also, see if you can guess what the games are!

Bioshock Infinite

Far Cry 3

Dead Space 3

Grand Theft Auto IV

Need For Speed

Angry Birds

Age Of Empires II

Simcity 4

Guitar Hero

BRAINSTORM What features do each of the games have in common? What types of different skills would be needed in their creation? What different styles of games were shown?

2D GRAPHICS One of the first important skills to learn in computing and also in game development is 2D graphics. What is missing in the character below? The ‘skin’ that covers the 3D model is called a texture

TEXTURING Characters Objects and Scenery

3D GRAPHICS Another important skill obviously is 3D graphics

3D GRAPHICS

PROGRAMMING Another important skill is programming. This means creating the codes and instructions that control the characters and objects in the game, as well as how you interact with the game.

WHAT WILL WE BE DOING? I want to give you an introduction to these 3 areas 2D Graphics (Photoshop) 3D graphics (Sketchup) Programming (Scratch) What we achieve this term is up to YOU Work well, try your best, don’t waste time! Remember you are only in year 8 so we are covering basic skills. Pick a computing subject in Years 9-12 to continue learning programs such as Photoshop in more detail, Unity3D for game making, Visual Studio for programming.