A downloadable game

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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.

7/7/25: Over the next few weeks, I'll be uploading actual exercises I used in this class as a way to reinforce design concepts. You can find all the files posted so far in the Downloads section below, and read descriptions of the exercises in the Development Log as I post them.


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 16 hours ago
Published 2 days ago
StatusReleased
Rating
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
(6 total ratings)
AuthorAnna Anthropy
GenreEducational
TagsBitsy, design, exercise, Narrative, narrative-design, Tutorial

Download

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Click download now to get access to the following files:

the_wizard_s_tower.zip 61 kB
the_museum_of_____s_artifacts.zip 61 kB
shrine_of_the_sword.zip 61 kB

Development log

Comments

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Thank you for posting these! Although I've toyed with Bitsy before, I'm excited to give them a go :D

(+1)

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? ^^

(+1)

Yes! I'll be posting explanations for all the exercises as development posts - look in the "Development log" above!

(+1)

As a fellow narrative design teacher, this is greatly appreciated! Looking forward to more :) 

Thank you! I hope they end up being useful!