Computer games have become an obsession for many kids in the United States. In all honesty, there are a number of people in their 20s and 30s who also spend large amounts of their time running, jumping, tackling, and saving the world from destruction in front of their TV screens, too. Games have become such a major industry that game design companies now actually compete with major Hollywood studios. It is not uncommon for the release of a new video game to generate more money on "opening weekend" than a summer blockbuster.

Needless to say a lot of kids want to know how games are made. In their minds, they often picture themselves designing these games for the rest of their lives. While everyone who wants to be a professional designer will not make it, computer game camps allow any kid who wants to learn how to design games to try his or her hand at it.

Game Design Curriculum

Some computer camps offer programs that go very in-depth into the world of game design. They teach campers how to use authoring software. They also discuss the finer points of design like creating interesting characters from both a visual and emotional standpoint, writing a captivating story, and creating realistic or fantastic game worlds.

Most camps allow kids to look at what elements continually surface in specific genres. This will give them a chance to discover what types of design they are most interested in. Most design camps will give a camper the opportunity to create his own game from start to finish. This experience, whether put to use in the business world in the future or not, is one that most campers will never forget.