Games are about having fun. They are about history, maths, art and IT, as well.

This Key Stage 4 engagement project is being delivered by Onteca, a professional Video Games Design and New Media Company, so it will be about skills that are useful in industry. This is not an academic course, it is very much practical. Written skills aren’t important. Student reports can be given in the form of Video Diary.

Stage One of the course involves playing a lot of video games. Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games, that teach all sorts of interpersonal communication skills and good IT basics. Supervised and facilitated by Onteca.

Stage Two is to get the young people thinking about what makes a good video game. To learn some design skills used by industry professionals, in a fun and easy way, with lots of in-game examples. By the end of this stage a Bronze Arts Award will be achieved by all those participating.

Stage Three involves the young people actually making a game environment. Putting their own designs, idea and artwork inside a computer game. This will be accredited at NVQ Level 1 or with a Silver Arts Award.

This project would consist two days a week – Mondays and Tuesdays, at Discovery Community Learning Center. Onteca has experience of working with young people from challenging backgrounds.

Register interested young people with Lynn Struve on 0151 346 6734. Contact Max Zadow from Onteca on 0151 709 0028 or see www.onteca.com for details.