Video Game Design in JavaScript
- Level High School
- Contact Hours 175
- Timeframe Year
Video Game Design in JavaScript is an honors-level introduction to computer science that teaches programming through the lens of game design. Students learn JavaScript fundamentals, including control structures, functions, and data structures, while building interactive graphics and animations. The course culminates in students designing and building their own original game from scratch.
To view the entire syllabus, click here or click to explore the full course.
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Programming with Karel
Students learn the basics of programming by giving Karel the Dog commands in a grid world. |
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Karel Challenges (Duplicate Shallow)
Students apply all the foundational concepts from Intro to Karel to solve new challenges. |
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JavaScript Basics
Students learn the basics of JavaScript including variables, user input, mathematics, and functions. |
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The Canvas and Graphics
Students learn how to add graphics objects and position them on the canvas. |
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Graphics Challenges
Students apply what they have learned about graphics and basic JavaScript to complete a set of challenges. |
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Control Structures
Students learn how to use control structures such as if/else statements and loops to make advanced programs in JavaScript. |
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Control Structures Challenges
Students apply the foundational concepts from the Control Structures module to solve new challenges. |
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Functions
Students learn to write reusable code with functions, parameters, and return values, and explore the impact of variable scopes. |
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Functions Challenges
Students use what they have learned in the Functions module to solve new challenges. |
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Animation and Games
Students learn how to make objects move around the screen and let users interact using the mouse! |
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Animation Challenges
Students apply all the foundational concepts from the Animations module to solve new challenges. |
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Project: Breakout
Students learn how to make their own Breakout game from scratch using JavaScript. |
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Project: Snake
Students make their own interactive snake game through a series of guided exercises. |
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Data Structures: Arrays
Students learn about arrays, how to iterate through them, and how to take advantage of their default methods. |
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Data Structures: Objects
Students learn about objects, how to create object properties and methods, iterate through them, and build constructors. |
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Project: Tic Tac Toe
Students create their own game of Tic-Tac-Toe by applying what they have learned about data structures. |
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Project: Helicopter Game
Students demonstrate their programming prowess as they develop the classic Helicopter game one step at a time. |
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Final Project: Your Own Game
Students apply the skills they've learned throughout the course to create an original game! |
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Final Exam
This course ends with a 25 question multiple choice exam. |
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Midterm
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Project: Connect Four
Students will learn to code their own Connect Four game using their skills in data structures. |
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Project: Mastermind
Students will go through the step-by-step process of creating the guessing game Mastermind. Students can complete this project after finishing the Data Structures module. |
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Intro to Game Design
Explore the world and evolution of video games. Students will learn about the history of video games and be introduced to the MDA framework as a tool to analyze and design games. Students explore game mechanics and discover methods for designing accessible games. They'll also practice creating a basic game design document. |
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Extension: Additional Data Structures
Students learn about sets, and grids. These are the essential basic data structures that any program will use. |
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Practice: Karel
It can take some time to learn all of Karel's tricks. Brush up here with some extra Karel practice problems. These reinforce all of the fundamental concepts introduced in Karel, including commands, functions, loops, conditions control structures, and problem decomposition. |
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Practice: Functions
Functions are the critical building block of any program. To be able to use functions, you want to make sure you fully understand parameters, return values, and how to create your own functions. That is what this practice module is for. |
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Practice: Console Challenges
A bunch of fun console programs to get practice with JavaScript. |
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Practice: Graphics and Animation
A bunch of fun graphics programs to get practice with JavaScript. |
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Practice: Data Structures Challenges
Learn to code Conway's Game of Life and your own Connect Four game using your skills in data structures. |
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Extra Quiz Questions
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Extension: Visualizing Music
Learn how to create your own music visualizer! |
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Intro to CS: JavaScript Pretest
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JavaScript Level 1 Certification Practice
Students prepare for the CodeHS JavaScript Level 1 Certification by taking practice quizzes and reviewing content from the Introduction to Computer Science in JavaScript course. |
Explore programs that your students will build throughout this course!
Dive into the basics of programming and learn how to lead a successful introductory computer science class. This course covers everything from learning effective debugging methods to teaching computer science in a blended classroom. Perfect for teachers with limited or no programming experience.
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