Competition to find ideas for a game

Period: Autumn term 2009, Huutjärvi School, Pyhtää

Project title: Competition to find ideas for a game

Grades in which the project was implemented: 1 to 6

Subjects into which the project was integrated: Mother tongue, arts

Teachers in charge: Class teacher of each class

Brief description of project:

The theme for the school year 2009–2010 was creativity and innovation. We tried to find a topic related to creativity and innovation that would really interest the pupils. We ended up organising an ideas competition for computer games, asking the pupils to invent a new computer game of their own. At the same time, we learned about creative professions in the game industry.

1. Key topic of project: The key topic was encouraging creativity and innovation through a game ideas competition, and getting to know new occupations.

2. Tasks

Task 1

Visit to the school from Nitro Games Oy

The lead designer of Nitro Games Oy visited the school, giving a talk to the entire school about a company that designs computer games. The focus was on the job descriptions of the people working there as related to the various stages of game design, with examples on the computer of the work stages.  At the end of the talk, the game ideas competition was announced, free for anyone to enter.

Teacher tasks/responsibilities: Organising the visit.

Pupil tasks/responsibilities: Participating in the presentation.

Outcomes/results: The pupils learned what interesting occupations are related to game design and learned to know about this interesting local business. The pupils found the presentation really interesting, and afterwards they asked eagerly about various games and about where to study to get a job in this company or one like it.

Task 2

Creating the game ideas competition entry

Teacher tasks/responsibilities: Teachers gave pupils instructions, first regarding developing ideas together through creative methods (e.g. brainstorming, double-teaming) for a game. As the work progressed, the teacher’s task was to allocate time for working on the project. Once the projects were complete, they were presented in class, and a vote was taken to find the best idea.

Pupil tasks/responsibilities: Once the groups had come up with a game idea, they began to develop it by writing a narrative, drawing game views and characters, and working out the logic of the game. Some made 3D models of their games. Finally, the groups presented their ideas in class, and a vote was taken to find the best idea in the class.

Outcomes/results: The best ideas from each class were given to the student body, which chose the six best projects for the final round.

Task 3

The final round of the competition was held in the assembly hall, with the finalists presenting their game idea to the entire school. The jury included the lead designer of Nitro Games Oy, the head of digital business from Cursor Oy, and a representative of the student body. The jury gave feedback to each group and finally announced the winners in the categories of classes 1 to 3 and classes 4 to 6. All participants in the final round received a diploma and a small goods prize. They were also invited to visit Nitro Games. 

Assessment: The business presentation to the pupils was very successful. The presenter managed to make his talk interesting even though the audience ranged from 1st grade to 9th grade. Pupils in grades 1 to 6 were very excited about the competition, but pupils in grades 7 to 9 were not allowed to enter. This would have required coordination with the upper level and cooperation between a number of teachers and subjects.

3. Links to subjects:

 Subject and content: Mother tongue: writing, oral presentation

Subject and content: Arts: drawing and visualising the game idea e.g. by making 3D models

4. Project links to working life and society at large / the environment?

Links to working life: learning teamwork skills, developing ideas in a group, meeting new creative occupations in the game industry.

Links to society/environment: Learning to know a new local business.

5. Partners

Partner and role in the project: The principal designer at Nitro games Oy gave a presentation at the school (one lesson) and was on the jury of the competition. The winners of the competition visited the company.

 2. Partner and role in the project: Cursor, Kotka-Hamina regional development company, and its entrepreneurship education projects helped find a partner business suitable for the theme. Project members also helped prepare the instructions for the competition. The SELF project provided bus transport for the winning pupils to visit the company.