Game design means planning how a game works. It is not drawing. It is not coding. It is PLANNING.
Every game has a core mechanic — the main thing the player does over and over again.
Examples of core mechanics:
• Jump — Mario
• Build — Minecraft
• Shoot — Fortnite
• Collect — Pokemon
A Genre is the type of game. Examples: Platformer, Puzzle, RPG, Shooter, Simulation, Adventure.
Key Vocabulary
Game Designer
The person who plans how a game works.
Core Mechanic
The main action the player does most in the game.
Genre
The type/category of the game (e.g. Platformer, RPG).
Flow
When a game is not too easy and not too hard — it feels just right.
What is your favourite game? What do you DO most in it? That’s the core mechanic!
— I can explain what game design means. I can name a core mechanic.
2 Analyse 3 Games
Think of 3 games you have played. For each one, write the name, genre, and what you do in the game.
Game 1
Write the name, genre, and what you do in this game.
Name: Genre: What you do:
Game 2
Write the name, genre, and what you do in this game.
Name: Genre: What you do:
Game 3
Write the name, genre, and what you do in this game.
Name: Genre: What you do:
— I have analysed 3 games. Each one has a name, genre, and what you do.
3 Plan Your Own Game
Now it’s your turn! Fill in each box below to plan your own game.
1. Game Title
Give your game a cool name.
My game is called…
2. Genre
Pick one: Platformer, Puzzle, RPG, Shooter, Simulation, or Adventure.
My game is a…
3. What Is Your Game About?
Write 2 sentences — who is the player, and what do they do?
In my game, the player is… They have to…
4. What Does the Player Do?
List 2–3 actions the player does (e.g. jump, collect coins, dodge enemies).
The player can: 1. … 2. … 3. …
5. How Do You Win?
What is the goal of the game?
You win by…
6. Controls
What keys do what? (e.g. Arrow keys = move, Space = jump)
Arrow keys = … Space = … Other: …
Stuck? Think of your favourite game. Can you make a simpler version of it?
Raise your hand and ask your teacher or SLSO if you need help choosing a genre or writing your game plan.
— I have filled in all 6 boxes for my game plan.
4 Create a Mood Board in Canva
A mood board is a collection of pictures that show the style and feeling of your game — characters, environments, colours, and objects.
Open Canva and log in to your account.
You should see the Canva home page.
Click “Create a design” → choose Custom size → type 1080 x 1080 px → click Create new design.
A square blank canvas opens.
Click “Elements” on the left sidebar. Search for images that match your game — try searching for your characters, environments, colours, and objects.
You will see lots of images, graphics, and stickers.
Drag 6–10 images onto your canvas. Arrange them so they look good together. Resize and move them to fill the canvas.
Your canvas shows images that represent the style of your game.
Add a text box with your game title at the top. Make it big and bold.
Your mood board has a title and 6–10 images.
Rename your design: click the name at the top and type “L09 - Game Mood Board - [Your Name]”.
The design is saved with the correct name.
Not sure what to search for? Think about: What does the world of your game look like? What colours? What characters?
— My mood board has 6–10 images, a title, and is named correctly.
5 Save Everything
Check your Canva design is named “L09 - Game Mood Board - [Your Name]”.
Take a screenshot of your game plan (Section 3 above) or save it as a document.
Submit both your mood board screenshot and your game plan to Google Classroom.
— I have submitted my mood board and my game plan to Google Classroom.