Photos by Paul Flessland
Feature photo above is of David Binkard, founder of PODS Game Design
TECH ON THE TUNDRA
Even though there are many miles between our chilly region and Silicon Valley, North Dakota is definitely not late to the party when it comes to utilizing technology on the rise. And you might not have known it, but these industries are exponentially growing right here before your very eyes. We dove into a few of these popular sectors of the technology industry that are being developed locally and making an impact all over the nation– not just for businesses, but for people just like you, too.
VIDEO GAME DESIGN WITH PODS GAME DESIGN
Lara Croft, Mario, Pikachu, Link, Solid Snake, Master Chief and Pac-Man would sure be proud of FargoMoorhead’s gaming community. The area is quickly becoming a hotbed for video game developers who are living out their dreams. As the founder of PODS Game Design, a business dedicated to teaching the next generation of video game designers, David Binkard has taken the future of FM’s gaming scene into his own hands.
PODS Game Design Presses Play
When David Binkard was asked as a kid what he wanted to be when he grew up, he always responded with what he believed was a more “practical” career choice: a writer. But it wasn’t the only path he was interested in pursuing. With every word he wrote, he continued to wonder if his immense interest in video game design would ever be more than a hobby. “Making video games was always in the back of my mind as one of those dream careers that just seemed so inaccessible,” he said.
While teaching creative writing classes at MSUM’s College For Kids & Teens summer camp program, Binkard hatched an idea for the program to offer kids classes on video game development, an opportunity he always wished he had as a kid. It finally gave him the chance to improve his video game-making skills while also introducing the possibilities to the future generation of developers.
“I thought it would be cool to put together a class that showed them just how accessible video game design really is, that it’s something they can do,” said Binkard. “Anyone can play video games, but when it comes to making one, that’s something kids often don’t get to experience.”
He played around with RPG Maker MV, a role playing game (RPG) software that simplified the designing process for kids, and tried to figure out how he could take what he knew and adapt it to a lesson plan.
In 2015, Binkard pitched the idea to the College For Kids & Teens program’s director and it took off. But what started with Binkard only teaching two classes of 20 kids grew to over 100 eager students requesting more. He believed the only way to meet the demand was to offer classes outside of College For Kids & Teens. It was then that Binkard created PODS Game Design, an educational group dedicated to teaching kids ages 9 to 18 how to create video games.
Achievement Unlocked
From Perham, Minnesota, to Belcourt, North Dakota, and every town in between, PODS travels to bringing video game design classes to interested kids through community educational programs, schools and park districts. Without a designated business location, PODS is able to pack up its own laptops with the necessary software and provide pop-up courses anywhere.
“We found we had more success bringing our classes to the students rather than having people come to us,” said Binkard.
PODS offers roughly 12 different types of classes ranging from beginner to advanced, each teaching kids everything from coding and scripting to creating characters and storylines.
“I tell my students after the beginner class that they know more than I did after six months of me just fiddling around with the programs,” said Binkard.
Today, PODS’ maximum class size is 12 students, said Binkard, and a “small class size means a better student-to-teacher ratio,” but the demand is still growing. He’s hoping to capitalize on the momentum and expand the business in the future.
“Right now, we’re looking at just cementing ourselves more in this area and then we’ll probably look at expanding more later,” he said.
Binkard is quite surprised and happy with the support PODS has received not just from the community, but the local game makers community as well.
Not Just A Game
Each class teaches kids more than just how to build a video game. Binkard believes it helps strengthen other skill sets that can help them in school.
“It opens up a whole new understanding of subjects,” he said. “Math, in particular, is a very interesting subject that works in conjunction with video game design.”
PODS Game Design’s David Binkard worked with Moorhead Schools’ Community Education program to offer a beginners class on video game design as an after-school option at the district’s three elementary schools.
Kids apply formulas and solve mathematical equations when designing, similar to those they learn in school. It’s simple enough that they can handle the math involved, yet difficult enough to challenge them.
“It helps them understand that when you encounter a problem, you can work through it,” said Binkard. “It’s always amazing to see how sharp and experienced kids at different levels get.”
PODS has designed four demo games it uses for instructional purposes before each class: “The Quest for the Bedazzled Mirror,” “Mouse Maze,” “Destructo-Ball” and “Donut Invaders.” Binkard is currently developing an additional game called “Penguin Panic” to be released soon. Before each class, he has students play the demo games to provide an overlook at what is possible and introduce the basics. With guided instructions and live tutorials, he takes a step back and allows his students to take the reins.
An example of one of PODS Game Design’s demo games, “The Quest for the Bedazzled Mirror,” David Binkard made using RPG Maker MV. The game follows two characters who venture into a dangerous dungeon full of monsters to retrieve the Bedazzled Mirror and bring it back to their grandpa.
“As we get closer to the end, I start letting them try to figure out things on their own. It’s all just part of the learning experience,” he said. “It’s interesting how quickly they pick up on it.”
Binkard said he loves seeing what his students come up with when he gives them the freedom to create. At the end of class, students will transfer their game to a CD to take home and show off to their friends and family.
“Once they actually took the class and started getting their feet wet with video game design, they got excited and continued to take more classes,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see the students get excited about creating their games.”
Binkard thinks the FargoMoorhead and surrounding communities need to provide more opportunities for future generations of video game developers. Currently, PODS is the only company of its kind that offers in-depth courses for kids on gaming design.
Game Nowhere Near Over
Now that PODS has been operating for over a year and a half, Binkard has been looking back at how much it has already accomplished, guessing to have taught roughly 300 to 400 students.
“I’m interested to see how introducing all those students to a basic video game design program at a young age will impact the Fargo-Moorhead area in five to 10 years,” said Binkard.
Binkard is working on creating a summer camp for kids to offer students more advanced classes and give them a chance to show off their work.
Interested students can find PODS’ list of up-and-coming classes for spring and summer and more information about the business on its website.
Video Game Makers
You might be surprised by the amount of other companies developing various video games in town.
Beach Interactive
beachinteractive.com
facebook.com/BeachInteractive
• Gaming studio focusing on education, adventure, creativity and character.
Games: On My Own and The Abettor’s Letters
Vacuum Door Interactive
fleethackersgame.com
facebook.com/VacuumDoor
• A startup company currently working on Fleet Hackers, a tactical space simulation adventure in virtual reality.
Big 4 Productions
big4production.com
facebook.com/Big4Production
• Virtual reality company working on a horror game.
Games: Reshift, Raccoon Jump, Sweet Escape, Bad Christmas, Illusion of the Wind, Time Warp, Never Sleeping Always Waking, Temple of Romu, Stealth Bot
Raven Rock Digital
facebook.com/RavenRockDigital
• Raven Rock Digital is an independent video game studio currently working on Lockout for PC.
Games: Infinite Tower and Lockout
Wicked Soul Studios
wickedsoulstudios.com
facebook.com/WickedSoulStudios
podsgamedesign@gmail.com
podsgamedesign.com
facebook.com/podsgamedesign
Twitter: @PODSgamedesign
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