Year 5 Step Into Game Design!

Year 5 had an exciting week in Computing as they stepped into the shoes of real video-game designers. Using Purple Mash, the children explored how games are created and began building their very own first-person video games from scratch.

As part of the unit, the class learned how digital games combine design, logic, and creativity—all key areas of the UK Computing curriculum. Before they even touched the keyboard, pupils planned their ideas carefully, thinking about how their choices would affect the player’s experience. They then set to work bringing their ideas to life.

Children designed every part of their game world, including:

• Floor and ground patterns

• Walls and maze layouts

• Sky and background

• Health systems

• Enemies and challenges

• Points and scoring

• Levels of difficulty

  
  

Purple Mash also allowed pupils to personalise their games further by adding their own photographs, artwork, and music. This gave them the chance to express their creativity while learning how digital media, sound, and design assets all work together in interactive content.

Throughout the week, pupils practised essential Computing skills such as:

• Creating and refining digital content

• Understanding how algorithms and rules guide behaviour in a game

• Debugging when something didn’t work as expected

• Evaluating their work to improve the player experience

  
  

A highlight of the week was when our head teacher, Mr Turner, was invited in to try out some of the games. The children were thrilled to see him play through their creations—and he was genuinely impressed by the creativity, technical skill, and imagination on display.

Year 5 should be incredibly proud of their work!