Game Development
This unit focuses on applying programming skills to create an interactive digital game.
The emphasis is not just on building a game, but on:
- planning
- developing
- testing
- improving
These ideas directly support AS92005 – Game Development.
What Is a Game?
A game is an interactive system that includes:
- rules
- player input
- feedback
- outcomes
Games respond to player actions in real time.
Figure 7 — Basic game interaction loop
If there is no meaningful interaction, it is not a game.
Key Components of a Game
Most games include:
- a player or controllable object
- one or more mechanics
- a game state
- a way to win, lose, or restart
Each component must work together.
Games as Systems
Games are systems where:
- input affects behaviour
- behaviour affects outcomes
- outcomes affect player decisions
Understanding games as systems helps with:
- debugging
- improving gameplay
- explaining design choices
Tools Used in This Course
In this course, you will use:
- Godot as the game engine
- GDScript for programming behaviour
These tools are required for assessment.
Expectations for This Unit
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
- explain how your game works
- describe the mechanics you implemented
- show how your game changed over time
- justify your design decisions
These expectations are assessed in AS92005.
Looking Ahead
Next, you will learn:
- how Godot organises games
- how mechanics are implemented
- how iteration improves quality
Game development builds directly on programming foundations.
End of Game Development overview