Mobile App Dev
: mobile app dev is the process of designing, developing, programming, debugging, and distributing a mobile app.
Apps may be developed using a variety of tools. GameSalad (for iOS and Android), MIT App Inventor, and App Lab (at Code.org) are great tools for creating fun, functional mobile apps. Students can create games, navigation tools, soundboards, games for good, and more.
Apps may be developed using a variety of tools. GameSalad (for iOS and Android), MIT App Inventor, and App Lab (at Code.org) are great tools for creating fun, functional mobile apps. Students can create games, navigation tools, soundboards, games for good, and more.
WHAT CAN MY GAMES LOOK LIKE?
FIVE BASIC ELEMENTS OF GAME DESIGN
Many (although not all) of the apps you'll want to create are games. There are five basic elements of game design:
Many (although not all) of the apps you'll want to create are games. There are five basic elements of game design:
- Space (environment)
- Goals
- Components (people, objects, Easter eggs)
- Mechanics (how do you play... jump, run, shoot?)
- Rules
GAMES FOR GOOD
A growing movement in game design is the creation of Games for Good and Games for Change. This movement recognizes the power of games to connect people, engage them, teach them, embody ruach, and promote positive change. Take a look of the examples on the following website, then think of some themes you might be interested in developing into games... clean water? protecting free speech? promotion of physical play and fitness? no texting while driving? sufficient sleep for tweens and teens? avoiding drugs?
A growing movement in game design is the creation of Games for Good and Games for Change. This movement recognizes the power of games to connect people, engage them, teach them, embody ruach, and promote positive change. Take a look of the examples on the following website, then think of some themes you might be interested in developing into games... clean water? protecting free speech? promotion of physical play and fitness? no texting while driving? sufficient sleep for tweens and teens? avoiding drugs?
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BASIC GAME MODELS
Every game has a cover story and an underlying structure. In terms of game design, the cover story consists of the Space (environment), Goals, and Components (people, objects, Easter eggs). In terms of game design, the underlying structure consists of the mechanics, and rules. The underlying structure can be crafted in a variety of forms, for example, collection, avoidance, or zapper.
Every game has a cover story and an underlying structure. In terms of game design, the cover story consists of the Space (environment), Goals, and Components (people, objects, Easter eggs). In terms of game design, the underlying structure consists of the mechanics, and rules. The underlying structure can be crafted in a variety of forms, for example, collection, avoidance, or zapper.
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Collection Template
Get the Water game... Capture clean water to avert a humanitarian crisis worldwide.
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Avoidance Template
Scandals game... Avoid political scandals! |
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Zapper Template
Immunity game Guide an immunity cell to hunt viruses and stay healthy!
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VIDEOS - SENSORS
Mobile device apps capitalize on sensors, including the touch sensor and the accelerometer. These videos give an overview of how these work:
Mobile device apps capitalize on sensors, including the touch sensor and the accelerometer. These videos give an overview of how these work:
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VIDEOS - TUTORIALS ON GAMESALAD
These videos give a simple introduction to GameSalad. They provide step-by-step guidance on a variety of themes, from incorporating gravity in your games to building a side-scroller.
These videos give a simple introduction to GameSalad. They provide step-by-step guidance on a variety of themes, from incorporating gravity in your games to building a side-scroller.
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INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDES IN GAMESALAD
Note: GameSalad has recently migrated to an online interface. The instructions below remain applicable, however be sure to look closely as the exact layout of the interface has changed slightly.
Note: GameSalad has recently migrated to an online interface. The instructions below remain applicable, however be sure to look closely as the exact layout of the interface has changed slightly.
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Programming Naughty Little Monkey in GameSalad (touch sensor)
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Programming Penguin Politician in GameSalad (accelerometer)
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Programming Earthworms on Mars in GameSalad (touch sensor)
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Programming Sushi Slots in GameSalad (includes Expected Value analysis)
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Programming Earthbound in GameSalad
(sidescrolling shooter, for Arcade play)
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OPERATING A GAMESALAD APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE
- Output your finished game to the GameSalad public studio.
- Go to the App Store on your phone and download and then install the GameSalad Viewer App.
- Go to the App Store and download and then install any QR code viewer.
- In GS, generate the QR code for your game.
- On your phone, open your QR code reader and shoot the code you see on your computer screen. The app will appear and operate on your mobile device.