Statement of Intent: Capstone Game Design

For my Capstone Project I plan on creating an educational game for children. Monica has agreed to be my Director. I plan on working in the gaming industry after graduation, and hopefully having these prototypes and at least one functional game will provide me with the ways forward.

After researching standards across states and designing a few prototypes. Currently the ideas are surrounding counting, money, and fairy tales. My plan is to further research the current curriculum in Maryland and West Virginia for students in the K-5 range and to make sure that I cover more than just basics for these kids. I plan on going to two different schools for testing, Shepherdstown, WV and Maugansville, MD Elementary schools. I want to see if there is a difference in a few areas including: ways children are being taught, are there separate focuses, and if these differences make a huge impact at those ages.

I also want to try and convert some of these games into applications for tablets and phones. I figure, if technology is changing, education can't be too far behind and therefore, so should these games. That means that there should be companion applications for at least one of these games. However, my goal is to have at least 3 working games and letting the children decide which one they like best.

Right now, the idea for my first game is for at least 2 children, and it will be turn based. It will combine both math and fairy tale-like creatures. I'm not sure if dice will be included or if it will be card based. I plan on working closely with teachers in both schools to better formulate these games and to see the mindset of the children. I look forward to the challenges of creating educational games because sometimes they do come off as dry and unappealing. My main goal is to keep the education, but keep it fun too.