How to Create Your Own Game on Helpful Games

Helpful Games allows teachers and parents to easily create custom educational games for their students. The process is now divided into three simple steps that guide you through the entire creation process.

Before You Begin:

1. Log in as a teacher or parent on HelpfulGames.com
2. On the member page, click on “My games”
3. Click on “Create new game” to start the process

Step 1: Basic Game Information

In the first step, you’ll enter the fundamental information about your game:

• Name of the game: Choose an informative and descriptive name (e.g., “Poisonous Snakes in Australia” rather than “Game no. 1”)
• Subject: Select which school subject your game belongs to from the dropdown menu
• Target group: Specify the appropriate age range for students by selecting from and to ages
• Short description: Write a brief and engaging description (minimum 50 characters) that appears in game lists and captures students’ curiosity
• Keywords: Enter relevant keywords separated by commas
• Detailed description: Provide more comprehensive instructions about the game (minimum 100 characters) – you don’t need to explain how the game type works as HelpfulGames will add this automatically

When you’re satisfied, click “Save and continue” to move to step 2.

Step 2: Create Game Levels

In this step, you’ll create the different levels for your game:

1. Select a game template for the new game level
2. Choose from the available game types:
   • Multiple choice: Text questions with selectable answer options
   • Questions with text answers: Students write the answer themselves
   • Letter grid: Connect letters to form correct answers
   • Cloze test: Fill in missing words or numbers
   • Image markups: Match questions with markings on an image
   • Memory: Match pairs of cards
   • Guess word: Guess words by selecting letters
   • Link up: Connect related items
   • Mastermind: Logic-based guessing game
3. For each level:
   • Edit the content by clicking the edit button
   • Give the level a descriptive name and a second name
   • Fill the level with exercise content
   • Some game types allow you to import questions from Excel
   • Click “OK” when finished
4. Create at least 2 game levels with content to publish the game
5. Click “Save and continue” when all levels are complete

Step 3: Add Game Picture, Specify Image Rights, and Set Access

In the final step, you complete your game setup:

• Game picture: Upload an image that represents your game
  • Click “Browse…” to select an image from your computer
  • Recommended resolution is 380 x 240 pixels
  • Accepted formats: JPEG, GIF, PNG, WEBP
  • Maximum file size: 5MB
• Image copyright: Click on the game picture to specify copyright information
  • It’s important to provide copyright information for all images used in the game
  • This applies to both the game picture and all images you upload in game levels
• Access: Determine who will have access to your game:
  • No one: Use this option while you’re working on creating the game
  • Your students: Students in your groups will have access to the game
  • Everyone: The game will be available to all users after review by the HelpfulGames team

When you’ve completed all settings, click “Save and finish” to finalize your game.

After Creation

To test your new game:

1. Go to “My games” in the menu
2. Find your game in the list
3. Click “Play” next to the game’s name
4. Test the game to ensure everything works as intended

You can return to edit your game at any time by clicking “Edit” in your game list.

With this simple three-step system, you can quickly create educational and engaging games for your students!