My project has progressed much differently that I initially expected during this time frame. It was inspired by another DCC project at the Spring 2018 Capstone Fair in which two young women of color created an online comic that detailed the life of a young black female Computer Science student. As a person of this exact demographic, I wanted to know how I could contribute to the push to diversify the stem field. I used this basic framework to devise an idea for a simple coding game that used black female characters to ensure the game resonated with young black girls in the same sense that the other capstone project did.
My initial idea was to create a drag-and-drop matching game that would teach the basic key words and methods in all coding languages (e.g. final, static, for-loops, etc.) I thought this would be the simplest way for both me, as a relatively new coder, and the user, as a relatively young person. However, I was advised that because I am creating a game, my interface should have more in common with everyday games than it does with a paper worksheet. After hearing this comment, I realized that it would be very difficult to 1) keep my user engaged for more than one level, and 2) convey the idea that “matching” the proper words to their corresponding phrases is a direct representation of manipulating a computer on a deeper level. For visuals, this is a powerpoint representation of what my initial game would have looked like.
As a nine year old, I would have played this game, and forgotten about it immediately after, having not been impacted by the design.
After understanding that I had to make an actual game, I became slightly bogged down with what I thought the coding would require. In an effort to make my life easier, I decided that instead of using HTML, CSS, and javascript to create my game, I would create a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in java to create a maze. This maze would have a pointer that would move to the next space each time a proper phrase was completed. While GUIs are a great tool for creating an interface with buttons, the real challenge comes in when trying to create a moveable pointer. I then received more advice that it would probably be easier to use my original plan for HTML, CSS, and javascript to implement the game. Additionally, creating a web page of sorts provides for greater accessibility, bringing my closer to my ultimate goal of reaching my target population.
As of now, I am using the Atom text editing software, javascript, HTML and CSS to create the “moving” part of my game. I have a little pink box that moves around upon the press of a button. It seems small, but this is one of the biggest challenges I anticipated when creating my game. The next step is to create a series of conditionals that check to see if the proper text was submitted into a text box. The character will then proceed to move the proper amount of spaces, until the target is reached. Below is an image of the what I have coded so far.
Obviously, I have quite a bit of development to do, but I’m definitely headed in the right direction. I plan on having a complete level finished for my Midpoint Project Presentation, so everyone can have a concrete idea of my final project. While I planned on having more finished before spring break, I can now take the time to focus entirely on my game development. Hopefully by the time we return to school I will be back on track to add multiple levels for my Alpha Iteration.
One large issue I have with my final design is that I wanted to create a game that targeted as large of a demographic within the black female community as possible. However, my initial response was to create a design with different shades of pink and purple, and to create characters that presented as the typical cis-woman. Perhaps this is a task for development after the capstone fair, but I wanted to challenge myself to think outside of the box that society tends to put women in. Once I create a fully working version of my game, perhaps I can design my three characters to encompass both able and differently able bodied women, as well as women who choose not to present as feminine. This is merely speculation, but its a problem I would like to tackle if time permits.
Overall, I think I’m still on track to make a great project. I plan on continuing to get feedback from different users to make the gaming experience as enjoyable as possible.
DCC Capstone: Girl Code 