Week 7 – Game Dev Tycoon

Our research trip to Storm Lake has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 18. We will depart at 12:30 and expect to arrive by 3:00, allowing us ample time to set up our laptops and prepare for the kids to test our game. We anticipate having between 10-20 high school age kids participating in our research. The initial phase will involve them testing our game and providing us with valuable data through a survey. Following this, we will split into two focus groups, enabling us to gather personal insights that can be used to make broader statements about the youth in Storm Lake, such as their emphasis on community when making decisions about their future after high school. Subsequently, we will begin incorporating our research findings into our poster board and ultimately into our video game.

This week, our team has been assigned the task of creating a working proof-of-concept text-based game using Twine. We are full steam ahead in the development process, with Kris handling the creation of pictures and screenshots in Unity, and Andric working on the text and code logic for the story. My role is to thoroughly test the game and make any necessary adjustments to the dialogue and flow to ensure a seamless gameplay experience. The entire game development process has reminded me of various tycoon games, particularly Game Dev Tycoon, although our ultimate goal isn’t to strive for a billion-dollar success like in the game.

This week, we were fortunate to attend two exceptional luncheon lectures that left a lasting impression. On Tuesday, Debra Kumar delivered a captivating presentation on her career choice to work in the industry. What made her perspective unique was her status as neither a professor nor someone looking for a long-term teaching position. Her insights provided valuable industry-focused insights that resonated with many of us.

However, it was Thursday’s luncheon lecture by Sarah Bentil that truly stood out as my personal favorite of the summer so far. Sarah’s memorable research and engaging videos created an informal yet impactful research presentation. Her presence in the room made us feel comfortable to ask thought-provoking questions, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere. What set her lecture apart was her continued engagement with us even after lunch, where she interacted with various games and offered valuable advice. It was refreshing to see her dedication and willingness to connect with the audience beyond the confines of a traditional presentation.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s blog post, here’s some pictures from my adventures. See you next week