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Help for a GCSE Student!

3 replies [Last post]
Sun, 06/22/2003 - 14:21
Anonymous

Hi,
I’m a year 10 Design & Technology GCSE student at Haslingden High School in Lancashire. As part of my GCSE project, due to be handed in, after about ten months, I have been given the task of designing and producing a compendium of games suitable for anyone over the age of 3. Currently I am at the preliminary stages of the project, including research and ideas. However, as I am not yet an expert at making games, I am struggling of ideas that:
1. A GCSE student would be capable of producing (considering we have less than 50h hours to complete the project in a school environment).
2. Would offer a chance of a good grade.
3. Would be suitable for anyone over the age of 3.

If anyone can give me any help for ideas or information for my research I would be extremely grateful.
Thank you
Tom Eastwood

tom_eastwood1987@hotmail.com

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Sun, 06/08/2003 - 16:16
#1
zaiga
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Help for a GCSE Student!

I would really like to help you out, but I have a number of questions.

Do you have to create new, original games? If so, how many games do you have to produce? The 50 hours mentioned, is that the amount of time you have for *all* the work you have to do including brainstorming, research, making a prototype, writing rules and playtesting or is it just making a prototype?

A few general tips:
Making a game for young kids is actually the hardest of all. You must work with simple components and very simple rules, yet the game should not be so simple that the kids lose interest quickly. It is very hard for an adult to determine what is too simple for a kid and what is too complex. Also, a game that might appeal to 4 year olds might be too complex for 3 year olds and too simple for 5 year olds.

When you want to make a game that is both interesting for adults and kids you might want to create a game with a large amount of luck (so that kids have a chance also) and/or a memory aspect (at which kids generally are better than adults).

Theme is very important for a kids game. So are sturdy components.

Good resources are this forum, www.boardgamegeek.com and of course your local toy and game store.

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Sun, 06/22/2003 - 12:08
#2
Anonymous
Help for a GCSE Student!

If the games are to be playable by three-year-olds, think about things you can do with stuffed animals, blocks, sand, water, in the bathtub, etc. And by all means get a copy of the book, Please Touch, by Susan Striker. It

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Sun, 06/22/2003 - 14:21
#3
Anonymous
Help for a GCSE Student!

Hi,

I think it would be worth your while to look at the sort of games available for this age group. Living in the UK, you could be excused for thinking that games for this age group are limited to picture dominoes and snap.

I put together a list on BoardGameGeek of what I (and my kids) think are the best games for the under-5

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