Itsy Bitsy Exercises
A downloadable game
From 2020 to 2025 I taught a class in narrative design using Bitsy, a simple game-making tool by adam le doux. The objective of the class was to learn how to tell interactive stories with a simple set of tools: spatial movement, simple interactions, concise dialogue, pixel art, color design, and screen composition. Bitsy is both (A) relatively approachable for non-programmers, and (B) actively resistant to systems-based design, making it perfect.
You'll find the actual Bitsy files in the Downloads section below, but you won't get much out of them without reading their descriptions. Check the Development Log for full notes and descriptions for each exercise (note that they're listed in reverse chronological order).
Overview
These are all files that can be imported into the Bitsy editor using the "load game" function. Each exercise has a goal, and I've tried to provide the basic scaffolding for it in the file. (For example, a Bitsy file might come with sprites representing characters, and the exercise might be to give those characters dialogue by editing the sprites.)
None of that scaffolding needs to exist in the finished project. The guiding principal is: Anything can be changed in service of an interesting idea.
Most of these exercises were run in class: We would start with a lecture, then I would give students about fifteen minutes to work on the exercise, and finally they would upload their finished creations to D2L for a class show-and-tell.
Some of these will be larger projects or smaller examples.
Keep checking back or follow me for updates!
Updated | 11 days ago |
Published | 22 days ago |
Status | Released |
Rating | Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars (9 total ratings) |
Author | Anna Anthropy |
Genre | Educational |
Tags | Bitsy, design, exercise, Narrative, narrative-design, Tutorial |
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- It's the same thing every night.11 days ago
- Cave of the Ancient Treasure11 days ago
- Nearly the Big Day Now12 days ago
- Just Your Classic Whodunnit13 days ago
- The Day of the Robbery14 days ago
- Rambling Old Man15 days ago
- Where's My Key?16 days ago
- Just Another Monday17 days ago
Comments
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These are awesome, thanks for sharing! I'm going to work my way through them. Is it OK if we post our results on itch & link back here?
Absolutely!
This is so great! Thank you for sharing those exercises, so helpful!
This is phenomenal, thank you so much for putting these up!
I love how completely open and demystifying these exercises are. Really highlights the joy of tiny bitsy experiences.
Love this! Bitsy is my favorite tiny game tool, so I will definitely be checking out these prompts.
Thanks! Bitsy is really something special.
Thank you for posting these! Although I've toyed with Bitsy before, I'm excited to give them a go :D
I love the idea - thanks for sharing!
Is it... intended that the current downloadable zip contains a single HTML file (I assume it's all self contained?) - and that the wizard's tower ends abruptly as soon as you leave the initial screen? ^^
Yes! I'll be posting explanations for all the exercises as development posts - look in the "Development log" above!
As a fellow narrative design teacher, this is greatly appreciated! Looking forward to more :)
Thank you! I hope they end up being useful!