Thursday Intermediate Game Dev Lab Fall 2025

Design Your Own RPG Adventure with RPG Maker

In this class, students will dive into the world of retro game design by creating their own 2D RPG using RPG Maker. Through a hands-on approach, they will learn how to craft engaging storylines, design pixel art environments, and create dynamic characters. Whether designing battles or puzzles, students will have the opportunity to customize their own worlds while understanding key game development concepts. By the end of the class, students will have a playable retro-style RPG to showcase and share.

Class Objectives:

1. Understand the structure of 2D RPGs by exploring game maps, quests, and event-based interactions.
2. Create a cohesive game storyline that includes a beginning, middle, and end with branching dialogue or choices.
3. Design characters with unique traits using RPG Maker’s built-in tools and custom assets.
4. Build pixel art environments including towns, dungeons, and overworld maps using tile-based design.
5. Develop battle systems or puzzle challenges using event logic and RPG Maker’s combat engine.
6. Use RPG Maker’s database to manage items, skills, enemies, and game settings.
7. Incorporate interactive elements like shops, treasure chests, NPCs, and secret paths.
8. Playtest, refine, and share a fully playable RPG that reflects the student’s design choices and storytelling.

Class Stats:
Digital (Device Time): 95% 
Analog (Hands on): 5% 
Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Type of Device Provided:Alienware PC
Application: RPG Maker
Coding:RPG Maker uses a command system and editable parameters, users will be able to rapidly create systems without any sort of coding knowledge. JavaScript can be added for advanced users but is not part of this course.

Details:
Educator: TBD
Hours: 3-6pm
Dates: 9/11 – 1/22
No Classes: 10/2, 11/27, 12/25, 1/1
Ages: 9+ 
Available Seats: 5