Becoming a Video Game Creator

I decided to chose one of the Hour of Code  options on Code.org. I was intrigued right from the start as there were countless options to choose from. For me I have always been interested in code and how it works. This site does exactly that and presents it in a way that can be understood at a more basic level before getting into it deeper. This website is set up in a way that intrigues the viewer to find exactly what they might be looking for. For myself, we have a tabletop version of Space invaders at my cabin so I grew up playing it and as soon as I saw it as an option I instantly clicked!

Website Selection

My selection included a 9 step process. Each step slowly developed more steps which eventually leading to me building my own version of the game. Throughout the process I learned how to code what spaceship I wanted, the background, the noises of lasers shooting and hitting targets, scoring, lives, background music, and even creating the situation of losing all your lives equals losing the game. This was my final product – Space Invaders Game.  This process taught me each little step in depth to get a deeper understanding of coding. This also made me realize how in depth the process is for coding and this is simply a snippet of the whole process.

Throughout this process I tracked my progression with these steps:

Passing Each Level

Navigating the Menu

Each Step Passed Showed Code More in Depth

YouTube Tutorials With Each Step

End Goal – Creating my Own Game

Certificate of Completion

I believe code is fundamentally important for several reasons:

1. Automation: Code allows us to automate repetitive tasks, increasing efficiency and productivity. This automation spans a wide range of activities, from simple data entry to complex industrial processes.
2. Innovation: Code is the backbone of technology and innovation. It enables the creation of new software, applications, and systems that drive advancements in various fields, including healthcare, education, finance, and entertainment.
3. Communication: Code allows different systems and devices to communicate with each other. This is essential for the functioning of modern technology, from the internet to smart devices.
4. Problem-Solving: Writing code involves logical thinking and problem-solving skills. It encourages a structured approach to addressing and resolving complex issues, which is valuable in many areas of life and work.
5. Customization: Code allows for the customization of software to meet specific needs. This flexibility is crucial for businesses and individuals to tailor solutions that fit their unique requirements.
6. Data Analysis: Code is essential for processing and analyzing large amounts of data. This capability is critical in fields like data science, where insights drawn from data can drive decision-making and strategy.
7. Economic Impact: The software industry is a significant part of the global economy. Coding skills are in high demand, leading to numerous job opportunities and contributing to economic growth.
8. Empowerment: Learning to code empowers individuals to create their own projects and bring their ideas to life. It fosters creativity and gives people the tools to build solutions independently.

In essence, code is a powerful tool that shapes our world, driving progress, enabling innovation, and solving problems across diverse domains. Its importance cannot be overstated as it underpins much of the technology that modern society relies on. This process of learning how to code was presented in a fun and engaging manner. This allowed me to feel like I was playing around more than actually learning which I think can be very beneficial for engaging your students.