 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Gamestar Mechanic
- Windows, Mac
- Price: $5.95/month premium (basic is free)
- Genre: Edutainment
Common Sense Media says
Grand adventure teaches you to design your own games.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Gamestar Mechanic is a web-based video game with its own online community, that, through an epic adventure-based plot, teaches kids the fundamentals of game design. Kids will be able to publish their created games and try out the original games of others; and this site closely monitors all created content. Any communication on the site is also watched over carefully, and there is no live chat of any kind, nor any use of personal information. Some of the games that will be both played and designed contain minor cartoon violence (including weaponry), but the old-school, sprite-based graphics are not realistic at all. Also, know that you can set a time limit for how much your child can play the game in one day (and tell your kids not to worry; the shutdown is context-based, meaning they won't be kicked off until they reach a point where they can save their game).
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to create their own video games, albeit on a very basic level and with the game's limited design software. Directions are clear and easy to follow. Creations are real and playable. The process of building these games teaches kids to think both mathematically and creatively at the same time. It's a rare game that allows kids to feel true ownership over their work; Gamestar Mechanic fits the bill.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Reading
- Mathpatterns, sequences
- Sciencemotion, physics
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativityinnovation, making new creations, producing new content
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skillsdigital creation, using and applying technology
- Thinking & Reasoninglogic, strategy, thinking critically
What's it about?
Gamestar Mechanic follows a young wannabe game designer named Addison (who can be male or female) on a journey through the ranks of the League of Designers. The setting: A futuristic sci-fi world where game designers are treated like superheroes. Users spend most of their time on Gamestar Mechanic learning about different types of games (platformers, shooters, puzzles, and top-down adventures), playing samples of those types, and then using the sprites (character icons) and backgrounds they've earned to create their own. Games that are created are shared online and reviewed (in a moderated forum) by other players.
Is it any good?
Gamestar Mechanic is a stunningly in-depth, and endlessly interesting, foray into the world of game design. But it's all played out like a sci-fi adventure game in and of itself. The concept is brilliant, and playing through it is undeniably entertaining. The collecting aspect, in which you play games in order to earn new visual elements to place in your own games, is a great touch that should keep kids coming back for more (if the sheer fun of the whole thing didn't do that already). Sure, the games you create won't be next-gen 3-D epics, but when you see that something you've designed yourself can be enjoyable or challenging, it creates a great feeling of accomplishment. The word "achievement" gets thrown around a lot in the video game world, but here, the work you do really feels like it earns that title.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how learning to design games can help in other parts of life that have nothing to do with video games. For instance, can plotting the layout of a video game maze help you when hooking up a new peripheral to your computer? Or maybe when constructing a piece of DIY furniture? The skills learned here are not just about gaming.
Parents can ask their kids what kind of games they like designing best. And why? Do they prefer heavy action? Or are brain-twisting puzzle games more their thing?
Parents can also use this opportunity to talk about being a good digital citizen. Kids are encouraged to review the games posted by other players. If you don't like a game, how can you say so in a way that would be helpful to that game's designer, and not hurtful?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to create their own video games, albeit on a very basic level and with the game's limited design software. Directions are clear and easy to follow. Creations are real and playable. The process of building these games teaches kids to think both mathematically and creatively at the same time. It's a rare game that allows kids to feel true ownership over their work; Gamestar Mechanic fits the bill.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading:
- Math: patterns, sequences
- Science: motion, physics
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity: innovation, making new creations, producing new content
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills: digital creation, using and applying technology
- Thinking & Reasoning: logic, strategy, thinking critically
How kids will learn
While working their way through the sci-fi story of a young aspiring game designer (male or female), kids play several old-school, arcade-style video games that require strategy and logic. From these games, they learn techniques and principles they can draw on when they create their own. Sharing is a major part of the Gamestar Mechanic community. Kids share what they've made in a well-monitored online environment and can try out other players' creations.
How parents can help
- Try out the games your kids create. Ask how they came up with their ideas and what they might add to the games if they could.
- Encourage kids to make spinoffs of other material, such as board games. Give them cardboard, art supplies, and a few games to learn from.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Not perfect, but a small start in game creation for kids
My issue is that this is being pushed as a game creation tool. I have problems with that since it is restricted between monthly subscribers or free users.
If your child wants to learn to make games, there are free tools out on the net that don't need a monthly subscription. Even RPG Maker XP can be a good tool for a budding game designer. If you are wanting a good community, GarageGames is a great community and tools to make 2D & 3D games. (Granted, its $100 for the basic things but are very user friendly)
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AGE
Becoming Responsible Game Designers
I would add this to the great things already said about Gamestar Mechanic:
1) In regards to "responsibility and ethics" there are a wide range of game design challenges within the site that ask youth to design games addressing social issues like ending war. Youth who participate in these challenges can learn how to combine their interest in game design with social issues.
2) Unlike other online gaming environments, there is no push to spend more money on virtual items. Once youth have full access to the site, there is no consumerist push to distract them from learning how to design their games.
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| Platforms: | Windows, Mac |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Edutainment |
| Developer: | Institute of Play |
| Release date: | September 10, 2010 |
| Price: | $5.95/month premium (basic is free) |
| ESRB rating: | NR |
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