Roblox: Game Design and Programming

Want to create your own Roblox games? Learn about game design, programming, and the Lua language. $350

SparkGrounds Tampa Bay
7777 131st Street, Seminole, FL 33776

Tuesdays · 5:30-6:30 PM
Classes Begin the Week of August 18!

In this exciting 15-week course, students in grades 3 through 10 will learn to design, build, and code their own interactive experiences using Roblox Studio and the Lua programming language. Beginning with the basics of game development, students will explore 3D modeling, scripting, and gameplay mechanics, progressively building their skills through hands-on projects. By the end of the course, each student will have created a unique, playable game they can share with others.

This class is designed for both beginners and those with some prior experience, offering challenges at different levels to accommodate all learners. Through a mix of guided instruction and open-ended creativity, students will develop problem-solving skills, computational thinking, and an understanding of fundamental game design principles. Collaboration and playtesting will be encouraged, helping students refine their ideas and create engaging experiences. Whether aspiring to be game developers or simply interested in coding, students will gain valuable skills in a fun and interactive environment.

No experience is necessary; however, some prior knowledge of and experience with the Roblox gaming universe is encouraged. Students should also be comfortable communicating with others and with working on detailed, multi-week, long-term projects.

After enrolling, parents or guardians will be sent a liability release that includes expectations and rules. That document must be returned before the first class meeting. Partial, pro-rated refunds are always provided should a child unenroll before the end of the class.

This class is approved for the PEP and FES scholarships and can be purchased here or directly on the Step Up website.

WEEK #1: INTRODUCTION TO ROBLOX STUDIO: Learn how to navigate the Roblox Studio interface and create a basic game environment.

WEEK #2: BUILDING WITH PARTS & TERRAIN: Explore the fundamentals of 3D modeling by constructing landscapes and structures.

WEEK #3: INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTING WITH LUA: Write simple scripts to control objects and interactions in the game.

WEEK #4: PLAYER MOVEMENT AND CONTROLS: Modify player mechanics and explore how characters interact with the game world.

WEEK #5: CREATING INTERACTIVE OBJECTS: Use scripting to add buttons, doors, and other interactive elements.

WEEK #6: GAME LOGIC AND CONDITIONAL STATEMENTS: Learn how to use if-statements and loops to control game behavior.

WEEK #7: SPAWNING AND COLLECTING OBJECTS: Design systems for spawning objects and creating collectible items.

WEEK #8: NPCs AND AI BEHAVIOR: Implement basic non-player character (NPC) behavior and simple AI scripting.

WEEK #9: ADDING SOUND AND VISUAL EFFECTS: Enhance gameplay with background music, sound effects, and particle effects.

WEEK #10: USER INTERFACE AND HUD DESIGN: Create menus, health bars, and other user interface elements.

WEEK #11: GAME MECHANICS AND OBJECTIVES: Define game win/lose conditions and scoring systems.

WEEK #12: MULTIPLAYER AND GAME HOSTING BASICS: Explore how to create multiplayer experiences using Roblox’s networking features.

WEEK #13: DEBUGGING AND OPTIMIZATION: Learn strategies to find and fix errors and improve game performance.

WEEK #14: FINAL PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: Work independently or in small groups to develop a unique game.

WEEK #15: GAME SHOWCASE AND PLAYTESTING: Present final projects, test each other’s games, and show off the work to parents and guardians--while enjoying an end-of-class party.

Note that the schedule (and especially what is done on each day) is subject to change based on the realities of each individual class.