Video Game Design: Multi-Ball Pong

Admittedly, computer programming is not my strong suit, however, MIT developed the Scratch programming language and online community to help individuals learn the fundamentals necessary to code on other platforms. Tasked to create a video game for class, I decided to build a multi-ball remix the classic arcade smash, Pong. In my version, I created 10 unique sprites to add a more challenging dynamic for prospective players. Every five seconds a new ball is added at increasingly faster speed, with the game ending once all balls are out of play.

Full Game: Video Game Design: Multi-Ball Pong

While the design premise seemed straightforward enough, I was amazed to learn about all complexities that go into building a game that could actually be played. Mapping the angles of each ball so they could bounce off of one another, helped to provide a more organic feel, allowing players to more consciously decide how they could deflect an object in order to achieve a higher score. Watching players interact with my creation, also provided viable feedback that went into refining in-game elements aimed at improving overall enjoyment.

Educational games as a tool for learning are often compared to chocolate covered broccoli, in that they simply make mundane learning tasks more palatable. Though there is a movement toward remixing existing titles and reverse engineering their dynamics to elicit meaningful learning outcomes, current developments in open-source platforms such as Scratch, provide a means for accessing the knowledge required to develop proprietary titles that serve a specific goal. The ability to build off of public knowledge, allows learners and instructors alike to incorporate increasingly complex gaming dynamics by visualizing how scripts operate behind the scenes. Additionally, the emerging communities of practice bring accomplishments to the forefront, taking advantage of shared knowledge construction as learners are able to take ownership of their gaming experiences and effectively bring outsiders into their world.