The Game about Games - Computerphile

TL;DR

"Mission Control is a game designed to teach kids about game development by allowing them to interact with and modify the game while playing."

Transcript

My name is Alex Roberts, and we're at the National Videogame Arcade, and I'm an engineer here. So this is "Mission Control". This was my first project, when I very first started working here. Just before we opened last year. uhm. Its a bit of a monstrosity It is a game designed to show people how games are made, and give, kids the opportunity to in... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 "Mission Control" is a game that aims to teach kids about game development by providing them with hands-on experience in modifying game elements.
• 👾 The game allows players to draw enemies, customize game effects and fonts, change sprites and colors, and manually spawn objects.
• 😒 It uses MIDI technology, Raspberry Pis, Teensy microcontrollers, and Unity game software.
• 👾 The game provides a fun and interactive way for kids to learn about the different components involved in game development.
• 🎮 "Mission Control" emphasizes the importance of considering various factors, such as animation, sound effects, and gameplay, when making a game.
• 👻 It allows players to understand the behind-the-scenes workings of game development and encourages creativity and experimentation.
• 🎮 The game has received positive feedback from players who enjoy both playing and learning about the process of game development.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does "Mission Control" teach kids about game development?

"Mission Control" teaches kids about game development by allowing them to interact with and modify various aspects of the game, such as drawing enemies, changing game effects and fonts, customizing sprites and colors, and manually spawning objects.

Q: What technology is used in "Mission Control"?

"Mission Control" uses MIDI technology, Raspberry Pis as screens, Teensy microcontrollers to control the stations, and a PC running Unity game software in the background.

Q: Can players change the soundtrack in "Mission Control"?

Yes, players can change the soundtrack in "Mission Control" by selecting a different track to play while they are playing the game.

Q: How do players change the background of the game?

Players can change the background of the game in "Mission Control" by either taking a photo or drawing a picture on a blackboard and then taking a photo of it, which will become the new background of the game.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Mission Control" is a game at the National Videogame Arcade that allows players to learn about game development by changing elements in the game.

• Players can draw enemies, customize game effects and fonts, change sprites and colors, and even spawn objects manually.

• The game uses MIDI technology, Raspberry Pis, Teensy, and Unity game software to create an interactive experience for players.