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Ellis Abel Learns.

Game Design Summer Camp in Orem, UT

Orem is one of the cities the Provo–Orem–Lehi, UT metro area is officially named after. The case for game design summer camp here is not that the area lacks camps — it is that most of them end without the child being able to explain what they made.

Ages 8-14 · For families · Utah · West

Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Orem, UT
Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Orem, UT

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

Orem, UT — what applies locally

  • Orem is one of the cities the Provo–Orem–Lehi, UT metro area is officially named after.
  • Metro area: Provo–Orem–Lehi, UT
  • State: Utah · Region: West

Questions we get from Orem, UT

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 Orem

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Game Design Camp elsewhere in Utah

Murray, UTCityLehi, UTCitySalt Lake City, UTMetro areaProvo, UTMetro areaOgden, UTMetro areaSt. George, UTMetro areaLogan, UTMetro areaSouth Jordan, UTCity

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