Lead Faculty: Betty Hayes & Jim Gee

The Game Designer project has the goal of developing innovative educational software that will teach junior high through university students about fundamental principles of game design. Unlike other game design software, the primary goal of Game Designer will be to help students learn to "think like designers" rather than on teaching fundamentals of computer programming. gameLab, an innovative game development company in New York City (known for popular games such as Diner Dash) is developing the software. GLS faculty and staff are consulting on the game design, conducting pilot testing, and creating related curricula for teachers, parents, and after school programs.

Current Timeline
November/December 2006 (late): Game Designer prototype testing
March - May 2007: Game Designer Alpha version pilot testing
August - October 2007: Game Designer Beta version pilot testing
November 2007: Tentative Public Release date

Game Designer is funded by a generous grant from The MacArthur Foundation as part of their ongoing support for research and innovation in digital media, youth, learning, and education. The Academic ADL CoLab is the project grant administrator.

Co-Investigator
Kurt Squire

Graduate Student
Alex Games

gameLab Project Personnel
Lead Game Design: Katie Salen
Project Manager: Greg Trefry

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