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Ellis Abel Learns.

Game Design Summer Camp in Onalaska, WI

Onalaska is one of the cities the La Crosse–Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is officially named after. Somewhere in it are children who would love game design summer camp and have never been offered one within driving distance.

Ages 8-14 · For families · Wisconsin · Midwest

Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Onalaska, WI
Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Onalaska, WI

What the week actually is

Game design is systems thinking with the boring name removed. Balance, incentive, feedback loops, difficulty curves — a child who can explain why their level is too easy is doing analysis, and they will do it for six hours without being asked.

Day by day

  1. Paper prototype, no computer
  2. Playtest and take the criticism
  3. Balance passes on the numbers
  4. Build the digital version
  5. Showcase: strangers play it in front of you

Onalaska, WI — what applies locally

  • Onalaska is one of the cities the La Crosse–Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is officially named after.
  • Metro area: La Crosse–Onalaska, WI-MN
  • State: Wisconsin · Region: Midwest

Questions we get from Onalaska, WI

Do they build a real game?
Yes, playable by the end of the week, and playtested by the other campers who are ruthless.
What tools?
Beginner engines and paper prototyping first. Paper catches bad design faster than code does.
Is this just playing games all week?
No. Playing is the testing step, and they have to write down what they changed and why.

Other camp themes in Onalaska

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Game Design Camp elsewhere in Wisconsin

Waukesha, WICityMount Pleasant, WICityNeenah, WICityBeloit, WICityMilwaukee, WIMetro areaMadison, WIMetro areaGreen Bay, WIMetro areaAppleton, WIMetro area

All Game Design Camp locations · Full camp directory · Ask about a place