The+Game


 * ==Explore the history and features of Human Game Playing;==
 * ==Research an historical game (ie pre 20th century);==
 * ==Play some board games and review them;==
 * ==View the film //War Games// and write a film review on it;==
 * ==Choose a favourite video or computer game. Research its history and features;==
 * ==Design a physical, board or tech game. Prepare this and document it in a Design Folio;==
 * ==Present your game to the class with explanations of how it was developed and how it works.==

Unit Powerpoint
This powerpoint will form the basis for a lot of our preparatory work.

Some questions to get us going:


 * 1) What is a game? What distinguishes it from other forms of human activity?
 * 2) List TEN different games. Try to get a variety from different types eg board games, sporting games, tech games etc
 * 3) List your Favourite FIVE games. Give an explanation for what makes them enjoyable for you.

ANCIENT GAMES

Research Task
Using the resources of the Internet, find an ancient game and research its history and how it was played. Respond to the following questions and present the information in a powerpoint. You will have TWO lessons and H/W to complete this task.
 * Where was the game first played?
 * Who 'invented' the game?
 * What type of game is it?
 * How was it played? Give a description of the venue, number of players, equipment required (if any), and RULES of the game.

DO NOT just copy and paste from the Internet. Write this information in your own words, but include images in your powerpoint. Minimum 8 SLIDES.

BOARD GAMES

List as many "Board Games" as you can. This includes games like Pictionary. We will play a number of board games during a double lesson. You will then WRITE A REVIEW of your favourite board game.



What makes a board game so interesting and fun to play? Why do you think these games are still popular despite the proliferation of video/computer games?

//WAR GAMES//
Now we will view the excellent 1983 film - //War Games.//

Here' the trailer: media type="youtube" key="tAcEzhQ7oqA" height="315" width="560" align="center"

The key task in this part of the unit is to write a Film Review. Here are some key points to include:


 * **Briefly** describe the Plot of the film i.e. what happened?
 * Describe the **SETTING** - including some of the things that were different then (1983), compared to now.
 * Describe the **MAIN CHARACTERS.** What sort of people were they and how did they avoid big trouble?
 * Describe the **KEY IDEAS** of the film.
 * **Evaluate** what was **good and bad** about the film. Be specific and mention things like the acting, the plot, the music used etc.
 * Has anything in the film been close to happening in real life - think of the idea of computer hackers here?
 * In what ways do you think this film was at the beginning of the Digital game playing revolution?

This review will need to be 600 words long as a minimum, but no more than 800 words. You will be emailed the specific TASK SHEET.

Check out the IMDB website for this film for more information and reviews.
 * CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO GO TO THE SITE.**



**TECH GAMES - VIDEO AND COMPUTER GAMES** As we saw in the film, the video and computer game 'revolution' was only just beginning in the early 1980's. Most video games were played in ARCADES. List as many ARCADE video games as you can think of. What are some of the features of ARCADE video games (as opposed to other types) What were some of the earliest HOME VIDEO GAME machines and consoles? What technological changes shifted Video gaming from the Arcade to the home?

What are the differences between a dedicated Gaming Console compared to a Personal Computer for game playing? List the most popular Gaming Consoles over the past 30 years. Which ones have been the 'best' and why?

**RESEARCH TASK** Using the resources of the internet and your own knowledge, choose a particular Video or Computer Game OR a console and research its history and development. You will then present your research to the class in a brief ORAL PRESENTATION

Respond to the following questions as a guide for your research: > What platform was it designed for? > Describe the game or console's features. > What distinguished it from those games or consoles that had gone before? > What do you like about it? > What don't you like about it? > How popular is it and why? > > > >
 * When was the game or console first developed?Who was it by? ie which company and/or person

**GAME DESIGN TASK** **Assessment Type: Text Production and Oral Presentation** __Text type:__ Research and Development of original Game __Audience:__ Fellow class members and potential buyers of a new game. __Purpose:__ To develop a new game – either physical, board or digital and present this game to the rest of the class. Task description: Working in small groups (Max 3), you are to design and develop a new game. It can be a physical game, a board game or a digital game. You will then present this game to the rest of the group who will be potential buyers of your game.

What to include in your presentation: - a description of the game itself - a demonstration of how the game is played - an outline of the rules - a reflection on the process of developing the game

You will be required to submit a written copy of your presentation notes.

Due Date: Your presentations will be conducted in.

RESOURCES TO HELP This is an excellent presentation that looks at how Game storytelling can be developed.