Game Development Specification - Coursework Example

Design Game Name Institution Course Instructor Date Design Game Introduction Several researchers have indicated that playing video games can boost the capacity of brain power. It is due to this fact that several game developers are aiming to design games that are able to offer the above mentioned significance while at the same time advocating for a positive behaviour (Arsenault, 2009). Scholars indicate that a greater percentage of children in the current society play video games. This shows that video games have become an integral necessity in the field of parenting. Based on the above mentioned issues, this article aims to identify state of the art games of different genres that have the ability to offer inspiration to young children playing these games. Also in the discussion, ideas related to designing games and specifications will be highlighted. Game genre references Just like movies and music, video games for children also do come in different genres. The different genres provide a wide scope of options to choose from depending on what purpose they are aimed to fulfil. Each genre of games attracts different groups of people, which is a similar situation in the music and movies section. A number of genres for the video games are available and they include; Action games These particular types of games require quick thinking since they are action oriented. Players are required to control their characters on specific assignments where they are expected to overcome certain obstacles. The assignment in these games usually requires the player to eliminate the enemy. A speedy pace is required to play these kinds of games while the sounds incorporated are meant to keep the player active throughout the game. Relevant skills such as quick reactions in demanding situations and general tactical skills are obtained from playing action games (Engeli, 2004). One of the popular action games is the Space Invaders. The objective of the game is to inspire young children to apply their courageous gaming characters in the real world to tackle their own problems. In this context, children with low self esteem are encouraged to be active through particular activity. Simulation games Simulation games are also another genre of video games. Simulation games are related to actions games based on the set of goals both games are aiming to achieve. Simulation games represent the real world and players involved feel like they are on the outside environment. Simulations games on the large part are games which require action for them to be played. Thus, they equip the player with the same skills as action games (Iuppa and Borst, 2010). They however inspire children differently from the way action games do. Action games may inspire young children to become violent. Simulation games equip young children with relevant information of the real world while at the same time inspiring them and encouraging them about the life ahead of them concerning the real world. Simulation games mainly consist of sporting actions. A good example of a simulation game that is popularly known is Need For Speed (NFS). This is a kind of racing game that requires the player to be attentive. Young boys are usually inspired by this game and have a feeling that they have really grown up. Simulation games also have an added advantage since the games can be played online where children compete against each other (Engeli, 2004). Children’s games This genre only consists of games designed specifically for children. Other genres also consist of children games that can also be advanced to help older individuals, but this category is only limited to children games. The games are developed using factious characters or at other times real people wearing costumes. The games target children from the age of six to twelve, thereby making this category relevant in our case study. Children’s games are there to help educationally challenged young boys and girls. The games intend to help children to play while at the same time learn new things. This category is in place to inspire young children using the characters created in the games (Montola, Stenros and Waern, 2009). Educational games As the title suggests, these particular games aim to educate children while inspiring them to love education. Most young girls have the notion of disliking mathematics as a subject but this notion can be changed through the use of games. A good representative of this category of games is the Math Trainer (Schell, 2008). Through this particular category of games, children are inspired to love mathematics while playing it as a game. Game design ideas Ideas for game designs are usually achieved after knowing the target group that will play the game. This study aims to produce design ideas that will target children of ten to twelve years with a specific goal of inspiring them. When coming up with game design ideas, several technical matters like the cost of production should be considered (Salen, 2007). Some of the ideas are good on paper but when it comes to implementing the ideas in the real world, they become unrealistic. Generation of game design is a complicated process that requires the application of sophisticated software. A large number of technicians are also required to oversee the functioning of the game design. A feasible idea should put in to consideration in accordance with the above mentioned factors to avoid any inconveniences. Action games have a number of options that can be explored. Basing on the fact that the game to be designed should be gender sensitive, both male and female characters should be used. Female characters should inspire female children to play the game. One of the simple ideas for the action games is to provide sections in the game that intend to inform the player which routes have been used by the opponent. The package can come with options of both audio and visual signs that will guide the player throughout the game. The same can also be applied to racing games which are under the simulation category. Racing games aim to simulate the real world and inspire players. The famous game under this category is NFS. A good idea in the racing games can include adapting features used in the James Bond movies and incorporating them in the racing game as a means of self defence (Iuppa and Borst, 2010). Incorporating the feature in the racing game raises several production challenges. One of the foremost challenges to encounter is the fact this game needs to be three dimensional to effectively express the additional features. Highly developed software will be required to implement the game design. However, in the current world technology has enhanced tremendously and the new idea can be implemented using the available technology. The new design feature aims to make the game more interesting while at the same time inspiring young game players to be creative in their real world activities (Montola, Stenros and Waern, 2009). Game development specifications The chosen genre is more popular among young children. According to Apperley (2006), boys are usually fascinated about racing games but also the girl child in the modern society has developed an interest in racing games. Some of them are inspired to become competitive rally drivers as a result of liking this game. The game development specifications of this game will require well developed software. The software should be able to express the three dimensional features of the game with improved graphics that simulate the real world. Artificial intelligence should also be used to create characters that act like normal human beings. This is done to ensure that the simulation represent the real world including characters (Apperley, 2006). After carefully considering all factors necessary for the game to be developed, it is possible to implement the new ideas in the racing game so that more children of the age ten to twelve are inspired. Bibliography Apperley, T. H., 2006. Genre and game studies: Toward a critical approach to video game genres. Simulation & Gaming, 37(1), pp.6-23. Arsenault, D., 2009. Video game genre, evolution and innovation. Eludamos. Journal for Computer Game Culture, 3(2), pp.149-176. Engeli, M., 2004. Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals (review). Leonardo, 37(5), pp.414-415. Iuppa, N.V. and Borst, T., 2010. End-to-end game development: creating independent serious games and simulations from start to finish. Burlington, MA: Focal Press. Montola, M., Stenros, J. and Waern, A., 2009. Pervasive games: theory and design. San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers Inc. Salen, K., 2007. Gaming literacies: A game design study in action. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 16(3), pp.301-322. Schell, J., 2008. The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses. Burlington, MA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers. Read More