Starting Your 13-Year-Old on Game Design: A Comprehensive Guide to Learning Programming and Game Design

Getting your 13-year-old started in game design can be an exciting journey! Here are some steps and resources that can help them learn programming and game design to build their skills and confidence.

Understanding Game Design Basics

Books:

'The Art of Game Design' by Jesse Schell – This book offers insights into the game design process and is a great starting point for beginners. 'Game Programming Groove' by Michael Morrison – A beginner-friendly introduction to game programming, designed to build foundational skills.

Learning Programming

Programming is a core skill in game design, and there are several resources available to help your child learn:

Visual Programming

Scratch: A free visual programming language designed for kids. It allows users to create games and animations by snapping together code blocks, making it an excellent tool for beginners.

Text-Based Programming

Codecademy: Offers interactive lessons on various programming languages, including Python. Python is a great first programming language due to its simplicity and readability. W3Schools: Provides detailed tutorials and examples on various programming languages, including Python, which is essential for building robust game applications.

Unity with C#: Unity is a widely-used game engine. They can start with Unity's beginner tutorials that introduce C# programming. This combination of Unity and C# is a popular choice for game developers, offering both design and coding capabilities.

Game Development Platforms

Several platforms can help your child bring their game ideas to life:

GameMaker Studio: A user-friendly platform for beginners that allows them to create 2D games with drag-and-drop features and a scripting language. It’s great for those who prefer a more visual approach. Roblox Studio: This platform lets users create games using Lua scripting. It’s also a great community for sharing and playing games made by others, fostering a sense of collaboration and community.

Online Courses

Enrolling in online courses can provide structured learning and valuable insights:

Coursera: Offers courses on game design and development, such as the 'Game Design and Development Specialization'. These courses are comprehensive and cover a wide range of topics. Khan Academy: Provides a computer programming section that includes game development using JavaScript. It’s suitable for beginners and offers interactive learning experiences.

YouTube Channels

YouTube is a rich source of tutorials and insights for aspiring game designers:

Brackeys: Focuses on Unity tutorials, offering practical and easy-to-follow videos that can help learners master Unity and C#. Extra Credits: Offers insights into game design concepts and industry practices, providing a deeper understanding of the game design process.

Community and Collaboration

Engaging with the game design community can provide support, feedback, and opportunities for collaboration:

Game Jams: Participating in game jams like Ludum Dare can provide experience and a sense of community. These events encourage rapid development and can be a great way to build skills under pressure. Discord Servers: Joining game development communities can provide support, feedback, and collaboration opportunities. There are many Discord servers dedicated to game development and coding, making it easy to find a supportive community.

Encouragement and Exploration

Encourage them to experiment and iterate on their ideas. Game design is as much about creativity as it is about technical skills. Allowing them to express their creativity through game design can make the learning process more enjoyable and engaging.

By combining these resources and activities, your 13-year-old can build a solid foundation in game design and programming while having fun along the way! Whether through visual programming, text-based coding, or engaging online courses and communities, the path to becoming a game designer is filled with opportunities for growth and discovery.