Game Development

[Digger[NJLP]]

To anyone interested, I am basically assisting my son's technology team to create a five level game in about 6 weeks for a competition.

Found a 2d based side scroll'r top down, dev tool. Will use this due to the fact its free for educational purposes.
And can be as easy or as technical as you want.
http://www.engine001.com/

This is coming out March 2nd on steam. May be what we use for Version 2.
https://www.game-guru.com/features

It is required to be able to run off of a DVD/CD and start up automatically, so no web based types.
Anyone have any others?

[Digger[NJLP]]

Buddy at work just published his first game! Support the indy developer!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/346950/

[Protesilaus]

What ages the ages and are you specifically looking for a "No Coding Required" type environment? I'm only asking the ages, because I could recommend some more advanced tools if they are older.

[Digger[NJLP]]

They are 12 going on 13, 7th grade.

We have pretty much decided on 001 at least for this project. They played with it for two hours and had created a simple car game and investigated on how to manipulate actors, routes, etc.

They have been doing basic stuff with Lego Mindstorm.

Any suggestions for future stuff?

[Protesilaus]

I'm always partial to a true programming language, but for that age it might be too heavy. Kodu was specifically made to introduce programming to children.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/
I remember a Google Android based environment with a similar goal, but I couldn't find a link.

This website also has a large(ish) collection of free art to be used in games. I don't imagine any copyright issues with a school project, but its there, so I figured I would link it.
http://opengameart.org/

[Digger[NJLP]]

Kudo looks like fun, but the National Competition they are entering with STEM requires stand alone, insert DVD, game plays.
Didn't see that there and it does seem similar to 001 in the way you build the scripts and animate the sprites.

We will definitely use open game art. Deadline for submission is end of April I believe.
Lots to do and little time to get it done.

Thanks!