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Ellis Abel Learns.

Game Design Summer Camp in Pine Bluff, AR

Parents in Pine Bluff, AR book summer in February and regret it in July. Pine Bluff has a population of about 46,094. What separates a week worth repeating is whether the child was ever genuinely stuck and then unstuck.

Ages 8-14 · For families · Arkansas · South

Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Pine Bluff, AR
Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Pine Bluff, AR

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

Pine Bluff, AR — what applies locally

  • Pine Bluff has a population of about 46,094.
  • State: Arkansas · Region: South

Questions we get from Pine Bluff, AR

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 Pine Bluff

Game Design Camp elsewhere in Arkansas

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