Game Jam! // Design a Video Game Using Stop Motion Animation (ages 11 – 15)
Camp overview
Step inside a game studio and build a world together. Guided by teaching artist and game designer Ian Levesque, campers will work in teams modeled after an indie game studio to develop an exploration-based video game from concept to prototype.
Working as a creative team, youth will practice sharing ideas, giving and receiving feedback, and revising their work through multiple iterations. They’ll gain experience with character animation, environment and level design, concept art, and scriptwriting while strengthening collaboration and problem-solving skills. Youth will explore core animation principles including how characters and environments come to life and enhance the player experience through anticipation, secondary action, timing, and staging.
By the end of the week, the group produces a playable game prototype and a short game trailer. The camp ends with a celebratory showcase where family and friends are invited to play-test the game and experience the creative process in action.
Ideal for young game enthusiasts, this camp empowers youth to turn big ideas into interactive worlds while building confidence and skills that support future learning in media arts and technology.
About the teaching artist
Ian enjoys finding ways to combine traditional animation methods with modern technologies, resurfacing nostalgia and emphasizing whimsy and fun. He has experience in Stop-motion animation, character design and game development, releasing games on platforms like itch.io, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. His most recent project, ‘Electrobasis’ was made alongside the highschoolers he teaches!
