MADE Classroom: Audio in Games

Age Range: Around 8 to 13 years old

Description: This class is a 1.5 hour lesson that teaches students how to critically assess effective interactive design techniques through a critical analysis of video games. Video game techniques can provide inspiration across domains outside of video game development, enabling students to more consciously/actively engage with digital entertainment and use prior work to hone interactive design skills.

Students will learn

• How audio is produced in the real world
• How audio is stored digitally to be played
• How audio is converted from the digital model to physical sound

Students will learn how to

• Develop a process for critical analysis of video games
• Use their knowledge to design their own engaging interactive experiences
• Present interactive design research to peers

We will be playing 4 to 5 landmark games from different eras. Students will begin by observing the teachers playing and taking notes, and then do the same while they rotate playing video games. In the last 20 minutes of the class, students will present their findings to the class, discussing what design decisions were made, how they were executed, and why they make the game fun.