Category: games based learning

Construct in the classroom – The free open-source game creator

Posted on by John McLear


Scirra Construct is an game construction tool that looks like it may be a bit too complex for Primary but if someone could create a wizard interface and some primary school templates and maybe a few LA’s start doing some CPD around it the results could be excellent.

I have 2 gripes and they are obvious: It is a download + install application and the games can not be played in a web browser.

If anyone is currently using game maker you should check this post out on why Construct is better.

It certainly has the wow factor but with alternatives like 2simple’s 2DIY and scratch it may feel like overkill to some!

Transparent background with My Avatar Editor Object

Posted on by John McLear


If you are using the javascript swfobject method for the hosted My Avatar Editor object you can use this code to give your avatar a transparent background:

<script type="text/javascript">
        //<![CDATA[
        var avatarvalue = "<?= $avatarid ?>";
        var avatarURL = "myavatarcharacter.swf?avatar=" + avatarvalue;
        swfobject.embedSWF(avatarURL, "avatarSWFContainer", "160", "200", "10.0.0", null, {hosted:"true"},{wmode:"transparent"});
        function setFacialFeature(){
                var avatarSWF = document.getElementById('avatarSWFContainer');
                avatarSWF.draw();
        }
        //]]>
</script>

The only bit you need to change from the default code is the parameter which is the {wmode:”transparent”} bit

Xbox Live Games on Windows Mobile 7

Posted on by John McLear

So I don’t feel emotional about this, that pretty much sums it up..

I think its cool that Microsoft are trying but I don’t believe it’s enough.  Shame though because I think a load of educational games tied into an Xbox live type reward structure would be highly motivating and more motivating than a reward structure that is purely focused on Edu.

5 main barriers for Microsoft:

  1. WM7 has too much catchup to do on android
  2. WM7 doesn’t have a following of developers
  3. WM7 devices wont be as open as android
  4. The Xbox live market is pretty small (compared to Google owned farmville etc.)
  5. Lots of xbox live games just wont translate well to mobile (control/interface issues etc).

Will I be looking to develop some educational games for xbox live?  Nah.  I’d rather stick with Flash/HTML5 games and a free/open scoring/reward mechanism.

Further reading on xbox live on WM7 is available here.

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