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Ellis Abel Learns.

Game Design Summer Camp in Springfield, IL

The Springfield, IL metro area has about 206,033 residents, ranking 230th in the country. 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 · Illinois · Midwest

Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Springfield, IL
Game Design Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Springfield, IL

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

Springfield, IL — what applies locally

  • The Springfield, IL metro area has about 206,033 residents, ranking 230th in the country.
  • Metro area: Springfield, IL
  • State: Illinois · Region: Midwest

Questions we get from Springfield, IL

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 Springfield

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Game Design Camp elsewhere in Illinois

Chicago, ILMetro areaPeoria, ILMetro areaRockford, ILMetro areaChampaign, ILMetro areaBloomington, ILMetro areaKankakee, ILMetro areaDecatur, ILMetro areaNaperville, ILCity

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