--- title: "Game Design" canonical: "https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/189366273/Game%20Design" format: markdown --- Designing a great Breakout EDU game doesn’t have to be a puzzle. That’s why we’re here to give you an overview of what makes a great Breakout EDU game so you and your students can start creating your own! Breakout EDU’s Game Design Studio allows you to create games for your private use with your students as well as games to be shared with the larger Breakout EDU Community. To learn more about Community created games click [HERE](https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/1397129235/Community+Games). For information on the student game submission process, [click HERE](https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/221151235/Student+Game+Design) ## **Getting Started With Game Design** Before you even get started creating your game, it is a good idea to plan what your game will look like. There are two versions of the Game Design Template: - [Teacher Game Design Template](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/platformbreakout/hosted_files/prod/7983.pdf) - [Student Game Design Template](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/platformbreakout/hosted_files/prod/7982.pdf) Once you have a plan in place, follow the steps below to create your game. The Game Design Builder is the same for both teachers and students with a few small exceptions that will be highlighted below. ### **Step 1: Learn & Play Modules** It is recommended that both teachers and students complete the Learn & Play modules prior to designing a game. These modules walk you through everything that you need to know about what makes a fun, yet challenging game. Find out more about the Learn & Play modules by [clicking HERE](https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/178159617/Learn+%2B+Play+Game+Design+Courses). ### **Step 2: Start the Game Design Process** To begin designing a game, teachers will click on the “+” symbol in the lower right corner of their home page. ![image](media://0ef3814a-14c9-4b01-a867-8eb91caf61f5) Students will click on the “Create a Game” tile in the same location on their home page. ![image-20240913-185255.png](media://744dabe3-a45e-43c7-b3b8-989b6fc65471) The Game Design Studio is the same for teachers and students. Both teachers and students will begin by giving their game a name and clicking “Create” ![image](media://b0223b16-8452-4116-a71e-3cb106636169) ### **Step 3: Choose Game Settings and Create A Story** The first step to game design is to set the game settings. You can choose to turn on the timer and decide how much time players will have to complete the tasks. This is also where you decide if your locks will be “sequential” (one lock leads to another) or “non-sequential (Locks can be opened in any order) ![image-20240913-185654.png](media://187af1d7-1527-44f9-8c2b-e91e72671586) One of the most important part of game design is crafting an exciting story that motivates the player to complete the challenge! When creating a story, you’ll need to choose a theme or curricular area for the game. Develop a storyline that flows with your theme, and engages the players. Your established game should have a title, and should be something simple, not complicated. **A Great Story Will:** - Provide purpose - Engage players - Weave clues together - Move the game forward Here’s an example of a well-crafted storyline, for inspiration to create your own: *The Poet Society has sent a subtle invitation. They have would like you to attend their secret meeting. Why? Well you will need to get in first to find out. In order to enter you must take three tests that demonstrate your poetry prowess. Can you pass puzzles, gain access and find out what they want?* ![image-20240913-191144.png](media://6358ce6d-febd-4650-8885-0196fda75df4) ### **Step 4: Select Your** **Lock or Non-Lock Content ** Breakout EDU digital games have a variety of lock options: text, number, directional, shape, and color. Choose a lock and think about the possible combinations. Non-Lock Content allows you to add resources to your game that do not require a combination. This provides opportunity to embellish the game with additional information that may help students open locks. ![image-20240913-191308.png](media://37ae5d44-4b3e-4b25-bea7-3fedcc6f7ce8) ![image-20240913-191651.png](media://cb534b2a-e932-40ba-b74c-b184af7d1c55) Use the “Lock Setup/Story” box to provide any text you want the players to see along with your clue. ### **Step 5: Create Clues** The next step is to create your clues or puzzles. You have the option to use an image, text or video clip, audio clip, pdf, Google Slides, or create with Adobe Express. Craft your clues so that they fit the theme of your game and follow the story. You want your clues or puzzles to require players to do some thinking and not be too obvious.  For ideas and inspiration regarding clues, visit our page on [Game Design Strategies](https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/376897542/Game+Design+Strategies). **Adobe Express Integration! **Clicking on the Adobe Express icon launches the Adobe Express editor where users can then unlock their creativity by leveraging Adobe Express’ extensive image and asset libraries, uploading their own resources or creating assets using generative AI! Learn more about the Adobe Express Integration [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hZSJvceT-M)! ![image-20240913-193300.png](media://62c27099-26fc-46d0-824d-4e6edfe1b59a) Choose your clue type ![image-20240913-193543.png](media://920c3bda-57cf-4452-88b4-b0921a3546e4) Follow the directions for adding the clue. ![image-20240913-194033.png](media://e636a47b-9a0d-497a-a276-ad06906061b5) Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter the correct combination for your lock. ![image-20240913-194117.png](media://e615478b-75af-46f4-8ca1-ec8ee1087096) Return to the top of the page and continue the process until all of the locks are built. ![image-20240913-194614.png](media://a9b3fa19-60b3-4225-99d3-cdd7e728c385) ### **Step 6: End-of-game reveal ** This part is the final step! Once your students finish solving all of the clues, and ‘breakout’ by solving all of the lock series - they’ll have an end of game reveal! What will they see? You may use our ‘We Broke Out’ signs, or craft one that better fits your story. Whatever you choose, make sure you celebrate Breaking Out! To edit the end-of-game reveal, click the “Edit Game Info” tab at the top of the page. This is where you can choose a background image and add an image, text, video or Adobe created resource to your end-of-game reveal. ![image-20240913-194950.png](media://4c25d0ad-4aea-4e3d-9954-2862f1aded4f) When you are all done, click “Save and Exit”. Teachers will see the game in their “My Games” Library. This is where the game can be [assigned to students](https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/130252811/Assigning+Games+to+Students) and/or opened for [future editing](https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/646807579/Editing+Breakout+EDU+Digital+Games). Teachers who are part of a school account can also share their game with other teachers using the “[Shared School Library](https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/205094913/Shared+School+Library)”. ![image-20240913-195401.png](media://930506bb-2fca-46e7-8762-92b6bebfcd20) Students will need to go through the game approval process once their game is completed. To learn more about this process, visit [THIS PAGE](https://help.breakoutedu.com/space/BCSM/221151235/Student+Game+Design). ## **That’s it! Your game is ready to play! Game on!**