Variant Verbs

Tell students that some game designers have been inspired by wanting to use uncommon verbs. For instance Dorian Hart, creator of the classic game System Shock, has said he wanted to make a game “where players had more verbs than simply ‘shoot.’“

Have each student take out a piece of paper and fold it into five horizontal sections. Have them write on each of the sections any verb that is not on the list on the board (total of five verbs for each student.)

Next, have students cut or tear their pages so that the five sections are separate. Have students give you their sections and, after removing any that may be inappropriate, mix all of the sections together and give each student a random selection of five sections.

Now have students access the student chapter Variant Verbs and go through the instructions to have students create a video game concept built around at least three of the five verbs they received. (Students can do  this individually, in pairs, or in small groups, as you prefer.)

Have students share their game concepts with the class or with another student/pair/group.

You can assess students’ game concepts with the Assessment rubric.