Designing Game Pitch Presentation - Learning Games Lab Toolkit

Time:

Prepare: 15 min
Implement: 90-120 min

Type(s) of Essential(s):

Social & Emotional Growth

Design

Critical Review

Prerequisite:

Game Idea and Prototype

Game Review

Overview

Educators inform learners of the components needed for their game, and learners collaborate with their partner(s) to design their prototype and presentation.

Essentials in this Activity

Learners apply knowledge and skills acquired from previous activities to creating a presentation. For learners conducting a game review pitch, they use knowledge and skills acquired from game evaluation activities to identify their review categories and the strategies for representing their content (i.e., text, images, verbal, etc.). For those pitching a game idea and prototype, learners use knowledge acquired from evaluating games to craft a game that meets the evaluation criteria of the collective. They translate their pitch fundamentals into an iterative process of creating text and mock-ups of gameplay, characters, and other features they want to highlight in their presentation. As learners design the presentation and prototype with peers, they collaborate and build relationship skills. They discern and decide the media form(s) to represent and express content about their game and disseminate tasks, giving each member an option of how they will contribute to the end product based on their strengths.

In the process of making presentation choices and completing a pitch (for both types) by a due date, learners engage in emotional regulation, responsible decision-making, critical thinking, self-management, self-reflection, and task performance skills.

Goals and Outcomes

Goal: Learners learn specific information about their game to include in their digital presentation and create a presentation and prototype to show an overview of gameplay.

Outcomes: Learners determine game details they need to decide with their partner(s) and identify questions to address to clarify their game idea. Learners are more familiar with the iterative process of design, enhance their social and emotional skills through working with peers, understand different ways group members’ can contribute to the game design process (e.g., writing, drawing, etc.), and become knowledgeable about tools they can use to convey their ideas for games.

Materials

Prepare materials based on the pitch option selected in the Pitch Fundamentals Discussion.

Game Idea and Prototype

Paper (white, construction, etc.); Writing instruments (e.g. pencils, pens, markers); Computer and/or tablet; Prototyping software; Presentation software

Game Review

Writing instruments optional (e.g. pencils, pens, markers); Presentation software

Preparation

Prepare for the activity based on the pitch option selected in the Pitch Fundamentals Discussion.

Game Idea and Prototype: Complete prerequisites.

Game Review: Complete prerequisites.

Implementation and Completion

Game Idea and Prototype
Ask the learners if they have any questions about the game pitch fundamentals, prototyping tool, or presentation software before they begin working with their partner(s). Before they start working, give them an estimate of the amount of time and number of days they have to work on their game pitch.

Game Review
Ask the learners if they have any questions about the game pitch fundamentals or presentation software before they begin working with their partner(s). Before they start working, give them an estimate of the amount of time and number of days they have to work on their game pitch.

For both pitch options, encourage them to divide tasks so that they can make progress on both the prototype and presentation at the same time. As they are collaborating with their partner(s), check in on the groups addressing questions and offering support, guidance, and advice. As they engage in the activity, give them time markers at specific points so they know their remaining time each day (e.g., you have 20 minutes left...10 minutes left...).