Gamestar Mechanic
"Gamestar Mechanic is a stunningly in-depth, and endlessly interesting, foray into the world of game design... The concept is brilliant, and playing through it is undeniably entertaining." - Five Star review from Common Sense Media WINNER: American Association of School Librarians Top 25 Website for Teaching and Learning; Kids at Play Interactive Award for Innovation in Children's Media; Serious Play Awards Gold Medal for Education; Finalist: IndieCade Awards. Gamestar Mechanic is an award-winning game and community where you can make and share your own video games, including robust support for classroom use. Go on epic quests and earn powerful sprites. Use the tools you earn to design your very own games. Play hundreds of thousands of games created by users like you. Share your games with your friends. Level up from player to designer! PLAY Gamestar Mechanic features a rich single-player Quest where players learn the principles of game design through an exciting adventure game. As the player progresses through the Quest they learn the principles of game design and earn 'sprites' that enable them to design and publish their own games. DESIGN Players earn a design workshop where they can use their 'sprites' to design their own original games. The workshop features a drag and drop game building tool that enables players to design a wide variety of games, which they can publish for others to play and review. SHARE The game also features a vibrant community called Game Alley where players can publish, review and collaborate on games designed by other players. LEARN Gamestar Mechanic teaches youth (ages 8 - 14) how to design video games as a form of system thinking, 21st Century skill building (problem solving, critical thinking, iterative design, creativity and collaboration) and creating a powerful motivation for STEM. The game was originally funded by the MacArthur Foundation and is being released in partnership with the Institute of Play. The Gamestar platform serves as a gateway platform for students interested in making games and can lead to a pathway from learning game design to game programming in high school, and motivate youth towards an interest in game industry and STEM educational and career pathways.
