Game pieces are things that appear multiple times in a game — coins, enemies, platforms, hearts, spikes.
They are reusable — you design one coin, then copy it 50 times throughout the level.
There are 4 main types of game pieces:
• Collectibles — coins, gems, food — good for the player
• Hazards — spikes, lava, enemies — bad for the player
• Power-ups — shields, speed boots, extra life — temporary boost
• Platforms — things you stand on
Key Vocabulary
Game Piece / Asset
An object used in a game (coin, enemy, platform, etc.).
Prefab
A reusable template — in Unity these are called Prefabs. Design once, use many times.
Collectible
Something the player picks up for points or progress (coins, gems).
Hazard
Something that hurts or stops the player (spikes, lava, enemies).
Power-up
A temporary boost for the player (shield, speed, extra life).
Name 5 game pieces from your favourite game. Think about what you collect, what hurts you, and what helps you!
— I can name the 4 types of game pieces and give an example of each.
2 Plan Your Game Pieces
Think about the game you planned in Lesson 9. What pieces does your game need? Fill in the boxes below.
Collectible 1
What is it? What colour? What shape? (e.g. gold coin — yellow — circle)
Name: Colour: Shape:
Collectible 2
What is it? What colour? What shape? (e.g. blue gem — blue — diamond)
Name: Colour: Shape:
Hazard 1
What is it? What colour? What shape? (e.g. spike — grey — triangle)
Name: Colour: Shape:
Power-up 1
What is it? What colour? What shape? (e.g. shield — blue — circle with star)
Name: Colour: Shape:
Platform Type
What do your platforms look like? (e.g. brown rectangle, green grass block, metal beam)
My platforms look like…
— I have planned at least 5 game pieces with names, colours, and shapes.
3 Create Game Pieces in Canva
Now you will build each game piece in Canva using shapes and colours.
Open Canva and log in to your account.
You should see the Canva home page.
Click “Create a design” → choose Custom size → type 300 x 300 px → click Create new design.
A small square canvas opens — perfect for one game piece.
Click “Elements” on the left sidebar → search for shapes.
You will see circles, squares, triangles, stars, and more.
Build your first collectible: drag a shape onto the canvas. Change its colour to a bright colour (gold, green, yellow). For a coin, use a circle. For a gem, use a diamond.
A bright, simple shape sits on your canvas.
Can’t find the right shape? Try searching “circle”, “diamond”, “star”, or “triangle” in the Elements search bar.
Add a small detail to your piece — a shine effect (small white circle in the corner), eyes, or a glow. This makes it look more like a real game asset.
Your collectible has colour and a small detail.
Rename this design: click the name at the top and type “L10 - [Piece Name] - [Your Name]” (e.g. “L10 - Gold Coin - Alex”).
The design is saved with the correct name.
Now create your hazard: click Create a design → Custom size → 300 x 300 px again. Use dark or red colours and scary shapes — triangles for spikes, a circle with an angry face for an enemy.
A second game piece is created.
For an angry face: use a circle for the head, two small circles for eyes, and a curved line for the mouth. Keep it simple!
Create your power-up: another 300 x 300 design. Use glowing/special colours (blue, purple) and star or shield shapes.
A third game piece is created.
Keep going! Create at least 5 game pieces total. Remember to rename each one: “L10 - [Piece Name] - [Your Name]”.
You have 5 or more game piece designs saved in Canva.
If you finish early, try making extra pieces — different enemy types, bonus items, or moving platforms!
— I have created at least 5 game pieces in Canva. Each one is renamed correctly.
4 Arrange Pieces on Your Game World
Now you will place your game pieces into the game world you designed in Lesson 5. This is exactly what “Prefabs” means — one template, many copies.
Download each game piece as PNG: open a game piece design → click Share (top right) → click Download → choose PNG → click Download.
The game piece is saved as a PNG image on your computer.
Do this for all 5 game pieces. You should have 5 PNG files downloaded.
Five PNG files are in your Downloads folder.
Open your L05 Game World design in Canva. Find it in your recent designs or search for “L05”.
Your game world background is open.
Can’t find your L05 design? Check “All your designs” on the Canva home page. Or ask your teacher for help.
Click “Uploads” on the left sidebar → click “Upload files” → select your PNG game pieces → upload them.
Your game pieces appear in the Uploads panel.
Drag your collectibles onto the game world. Place them along the player’s path — where a player would walk or jump.
Coins or gems are placed in your level.
Place your hazards in tricky spots — near edges, in narrow gaps, or blocking the path.
Spikes or enemies are placed in challenging positions.
Place your power-ups in hard-to-reach places — on high platforms or hidden corners. Power-ups should be a reward!
Power-ups are placed as rewards in your level.
Duplicate pieces to place multiples: select a piece → press Ctrl+D (or right-click → Duplicate) → drag the copy to a new position. Repeat as many times as you need.
Multiple copies of the same piece are spread across your level.
Rename your design: click the name at the top and type “L10 - Level With Pieces - [Your Name]”.
The design is saved with the correct name.
— My game world has at least 3 collectibles, 2 hazards, and 1 power-up placed in it.
5 Save Your Work
Check all your Canva designs are saved with the correct names (L10 - [Piece Name] - [Your Name]).
Check your game world is named “L10 - Level With Pieces - [Your Name]”.
Take screenshots of your game pieces and your level with pieces.
Submit your screenshots to Google Classroom.
— All my designs are saved and screenshots are submitted to Google Classroom.