Unit 17: Video Games III: Elements

In this unit you will learn about common video game elements.

The following activities can be tailored to fit the needs of your students and the goals your study program.

Vocabulary Builder Activity

Students will learn the following key terms and phrases:

Reading Activity: Elements of Video Game Design

Students will be able to correctly answer true/false questions after reading and listening to topical short articles and dialogs featuring topical vocabulary.

Classroom Lecture: Elements of Video Game Design SCENE: A university classroom in Vancouver, Canada. Students are settling into their seats, and opening up their laptops when the professor walks in. Someone whispers. “No way, that’s the guy who made Iron Pulse.". Professor Mercer clears his throat and begins: All right, people, let’s get started. Welcome… Continue

Multiple Choice Activity

Students will be able to select the best match between unit terms and their definitions.

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Listening Comprehension Activity

Students will be able to listen to short audio clips in English and then spell them correctly.

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Spelling and Recognition

Students will be able to identify and spell a vocabulary term correctly given only the definition.

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Speaking Practice Activity

Students will be able to speak and record 5 example sentences from the unit vocabulary and then submit them for grading by the classroom teacher. If no teacher is available or desired, then the students will be shown good examples of other students' work.

1980's Namco classic, Pac-man, was one of the first games to use power-ups, thus allowing the hunted to temporarily become the hunter.

Well-placed checkpoints add structure to longer video games while reducing player frustration.

Fast travel (also known as warping) is convenient for players, but can also negatively affect a game's sense of scale or distance.

Players caught using wallhacks or aimbots in CS:GO are normally subject to permanent bans.

Weaker players may end up frustrated with turtling tactics and leave, but stronger players will persevere and end up dining on turtle soup for dinner.

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Writing Practice Activity

Students will write a short essay to be graded by the teacher. If no teacher is available or desired, then the student is shown previous examples of other writings by students.

Professor Mercer says that “balance is an art form.” What do you think he means by that? Can perfect balance ever exist in a multiplayer game?

The professor insists that “glory doesn’t expire — it just respawns.” What does this line reveal about his personality and attitude toward his past success?

In your opinion, which element of an FPS game is most important for keeping players engaged — story, mechanics, or rewards? Why?

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