Minecraft Programming and Game Design
Class meets daily from Monday, June 24 to Friday, June 28 (9 AM to 3 PM)
Class Description: This class is focused on Minecraft game design with an introduction to programming. Minecraft is one of the most customizable games ever made and can introduce concepts in electrical circuitry, coding logic, texturing, level design, and game development. These are all skills that are important to learn for anyone interested in entering the digital media industry. Minecraft features data packs and folders that can modify the base game with little to no setup involved. This is perfect for a younger student since it does not require prior programming knowledge to understand and is good preparation for moving on to courses using C# or other languages.
Age Range: 10-14 (Also 15 & 16 if interested)
Useful Prior Experience:
- A basic understanding of how to use a computer and file navigation.
- An interest in video games and how they are made.
Technical Requirements: Computers will be available in the computer lab at Create Appalachia. Students will need to have their own individual Minecraft accounts and should bring passwords so that they can sign in to their accounts during class
Students are required to bring a thumb drive from home so that they can download their work and preserve it. We recommend a 20GB thumb drive.
Course Description:
This class will take place over a period of five days. Each class will include both lecture and individual work time. The instructor will begin each session by introducing new concepts related to Minecraft and basic programming, which students will incorporate in that day's work. Each class will also have workshop time during which students can work on their characters and seek one-on-one help from the instructor. Classes will run from 9 AM to 3 PM with short breaks in the morning and afternoon and a break for lunch around noon.
Course Summary:
Each session will introduce a particular concept related to data packs and game design. By the end of the course, the students should have designed a small level incorporating each of the topics covered.
Day 1: Introduction to data packs and how they can be modified. Students will create their first data pack. Introduction to Minecraft’s in-game electrical circuitry.
Day 2: Continuation of practice with Day 1 principles and creation of examples of intricate mechanisms in-game.
Day 3: Introduction to command blocks to introduce programming to game levels. This lesson covers various computer science concepts, such as coordinate systems, variable definitions, and conditionals.
Day 4: Introduction to functions, loot tables, and resource pack modification. Implementation of this into the students’ projects will also begin.
Day 5: Introduction of structure blocks and command blocks. Students will expand on the all concepts by combining them all into one playable level to show off at the end of class.
NOTE: This class is a great foundation for the second game design class that we are offering this summer: Level Design and Game Development in Unreal Engine (ages 14-18) . The Level Design class will run from July 8 to July 12 in Kingsport. We encourage you to register for both!
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COST PER CLASS: Class tuition is $375 for each week. The non-refundable deposit of $100 will be paid on Eventbrite. The balance of $275 is due by June 16, 2024 in order for us to guarantee a spot in the class. We will send instructions for paying the balance with the registration materials.
If there are seats left in any sections of the classes, late registration will be made possible. On June 12, the price for this class will increase to $400.
Create Appalachia's Digital Art & Media Summer Camp offers an affordable opportunity for students to learn and build community. This is designed to be a hands-on, fully immersive learning experience with face-to-face instruction.
Questions? Check our FAQ below. If you don't find the answer there, email Katie Hoffman: katie@createappalachia.org.
