We made a Video Game (FISH GAME) – Smarter Every Day 291

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In this lesson, we explored the process of creating a video game called Fish Game, an aquarium simulation that combines fun and education by incorporating real scientific principles about fish behavior. The development journey emphasized the importance of understanding player psychology and engagement, which we learned about through interactions with industry experts at PAX West. Ultimately, Fish Game is designed for all players, offering a rewarding experience in fishkeeping and aquarium management.

We Made a Video Game: Fish Game

Welcome to Smarter Every Day! Today, I’m thrilled to tell you about something awesome: we created our very own video game! At first, I thought I’d just introduce the game and ask you to try it out. But as we worked on it, I discovered that making a great video game is more about understanding how players think and what makes a game fun, rather than just focusing on the technology.

Introducing Fish Game

Our game is called Fish Game. It’s an aquarium simulation where you can design your own fish tank. You get to choose the size of the tank and pick different fish and plants to put inside. The cool part is that the interactions between the fish are based on real scientific principles, so it’s both educational and fun!

Learning from the Best

To figure out what makes a video game great, we went to PAX West in Seattle, a big video game conference. There, we talked to independent game creators and learned from industry experts about how they come up with their amazing ideas.

Meet Gordon

I also want to introduce you to my colleague, Gordon. He’s been a huge help with the sound design for our projects. Gordon runs a company that creates music and sound effects for video games. He’s always loved video games and dreamed of making one himself.

The Making of Fish Game

As we worked on Fish Game, we realized it reflects our shared experiences and interests. The game is all about the joy of keeping fish and the challenges of managing an aquarium. At PAX, we talked to many game developers who shared their thoughts on what makes a game engaging. They highlighted the importance of learning through play, forming emotional connections with characters, and overcoming challenges.

Who Can Play Fish Game?

Fish Game is designed for everyone, whether you’re new to fishkeeping or a seasoned pro. Our team did a lot of research on fish behavior and tank management to make sure the simulation feels real.

Try Fish Game!

You can check out Fish Game at fish.game. We hope you enjoy playing it and find it as rewarding as we intended. Thank you for your support, and I can’t wait to share more about our journey in game development with you!

  1. What aspects of the Fish Game do you find most intriguing, and how do they enhance your understanding of aquarium management?
  2. Reflect on the process of creating a video game as described in the article. What challenges do you think the creators faced, and how might they have overcome them?
  3. How does the integration of real scientific principles into the Fish Game impact your perception of its educational value?
  4. Consider the role of sound design in video games. How do you think Gordon’s contributions might influence the player’s experience in Fish Game?
  5. What insights do you think the creators gained from attending PAX West, and how might these insights have shaped the development of Fish Game?
  6. Discuss the importance of forming emotional connections with game characters. How might this concept be applied in the context of Fish Game?
  7. How does the article’s emphasis on learning through play resonate with your own experiences with video games or other interactive media?
  8. After reading about the development of Fish Game, what new perspectives do you have on the collaborative nature of game design?
  1. Create Your Own Aquarium

    Design your own virtual aquarium using art supplies or digital tools. Choose the types of fish and plants you want to include, and explain why you selected them. Consider how they interact with each other based on real scientific principles, just like in Fish Game.

  2. Game Design Workshop

    Work in groups to brainstorm and design a simple video game concept. Focus on what makes a game fun and engaging, drawing inspiration from Fish Game. Present your ideas to the class, highlighting the main features and the player experience.

  3. Sound Design Exploration

    Explore the role of sound in video games by creating your own sound effects for different scenarios in Fish Game. Use everyday objects or digital tools to produce sounds, and discuss how they enhance the gaming experience.

  4. Research Project: Fish Behavior

    Conduct a research project on the behavior of a specific type of fish featured in Fish Game. Present your findings to the class, explaining how these behaviors are represented in the game and why they are important for an authentic simulation.

  5. Play and Reflect

    Play Fish Game and write a reflection on your experience. Discuss what you learned about fishkeeping, the challenges you faced, and how the game incorporates educational elements. Share your thoughts with the class and suggest improvements or new features.

Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any informal language, personal anecdotes, and specific references while maintaining the core message:

Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. Today, I want to share something exciting: we created a video game! Initially, I planned to introduce the game and encourage you to buy and play it. However, my focus shifted during the development process. I realized that making a good video game is less about technology and more about understanding player psychology and gameplay dynamics.

Through this video, I hope to earn your trust and interest in our game, titled Fish Game. It’s an aquarium simulation where you can design your own tank, choose its size, and select various fish and plants. The interactions among the fish are based on scientific principles, making it both educational and enjoyable.

To explore what makes a great video game, we attended PAX West in Seattle, a major video game conference. There, we spoke with independent game creators and learned from industry leaders about their creative processes.

I also want to introduce my colleague, Gordon, who has been instrumental in sound design for our projects. He has a company that specializes in creating music and sound effects for video games. Gordon has a passion for video games and has always wanted to create one himself.

As we discussed the development of Fish Game, we realized that it reflects our collective experiences and interests. The game aims to capture the joy of fishkeeping and the complexities of managing an aquarium.

At PAX, we engaged with various game developers who shared their insights on what makes a game engaging. Many emphasized the importance of learning through gameplay, the emotional connections players form with characters, and the value of overcoming challenges.

Fish Game is designed to be accessible to both newcomers and seasoned fishkeeping enthusiasts. The development team conducted extensive research on fish behavior and tank management to create an authentic simulation.

You can check out Fish Game at fish.game. We hope you enjoy it and find it as rewarding as we intended. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to sharing more about our journey in game development.

Feel free to let me know if you need any further modifications!

Video GameA digital or electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a two- or three-dimensional video display device. – Scientists study how playing video games can affect the brain and improve problem-solving skills.

FishA cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrate animal that has gills and fins and is typically covered with scales. – In biology class, we learned how fish use their gills to extract oxygen from water.

AquariumA transparent tank of water in which fish and other water creatures and plants are kept. – The aquarium at the science museum has a variety of marine life, including colorful coral reefs and exotic fish.

SimulationA method for implementing a model over time, often used in scientific studies to replicate real-world processes. – The science teacher used a computer simulation to demonstrate how ecosystems change over time.

PlayersIndividuals who engage in a game or activity, often interacting with others or the environment. – In the psychology experiment, players were observed to see how they cooperated in a team-based video game.

TechnologyThe application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have allowed scientists to explore the deepest parts of the ocean.

LearningThe acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or being taught. – Educational psychologists study how different teaching methods can enhance student learning.

BehaviorThe way in which an organism acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus. – Researchers observed the behavior of dolphins to understand how they communicate with each other.

ChallengesDifficult tasks or problems that require effort and determination to overcome. – Scientists face many challenges when trying to develop new medicines to treat diseases.

DesignThe process of planning and creating something with a specific function or intention in mind. – Engineers use design principles to create machines that are both efficient and safe to use.

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