X Tables
Maths In Jobs

Be a junior game designer for a day maths challenge

An imaginative role-play challenge where children use coordinates, speed, chance, scoring, balance and testing like a real game designer.

Quick answer

You can be a junior game designer for a day by using maths to plan how your game works – like choosing where to place things on a map (coordinates), how fast characters move (speed), how many points you get (scoring), and how fair your game is (chance).

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to use maths to design a simple game, including placing things on a map, working out how fast things move, deciding how points are scored, and making sure your game is fair. Success signs:
  • You can place objects on a grid using coordinates
  • You can calculate how fast something moves
  • You can work out how many points you get for different actions
  • You can check if your game is fair using chance

Why this matters

Game designers use maths every day to make games that are fun, fair, and exciting. When you play games, you are using maths without even realising it! Whether you're trying to win a race, collect points, or avoid obstacles, all of these are based on maths. By learning how to use maths in games, you're preparing yourself to think like a real designer.

How it works

To be a junior game designer, you need to use different types of maths:
  1. Coordinates – to know where things go on a map or board
  2. Speed – to decide how fast characters or items move
  3. Scoring – to give points for actions
  4. Chance – to make sure your game is fair and unpredictable

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are designing a treasure hunt game. Here are some maths ideas you can use:
  • Coordinates – You can use a grid to place treasure at (3, 4). This means 3 steps right and 4 steps up.
  • Speed – If a character moves 2 steps every second, how long will it take to reach the treasure?
  • Scoring – You get 10 points for finding a clue, 20 points for finding treasure, and 50 points for finishing the game.
  • Chance – You can use a dice to decide who goes first. If you roll a 1, you go first. If you roll a 6, the other player goes first. This makes the game fair.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Design a treasure hunt game! You are going to design a treasure hunt game for your family. Here’s how to do it:
  1. Draw a grid on a piece of paper (like a map)
  2. Place the treasure at a specific coordinate, like (5, 3)
  3. Decide how fast players can move – 1 step every 2 seconds
  4. Choose how many points you get for each action:
    • Find a clue: 5 points
    • Find a key: 10 points
    • Find the treasure: 50 points
  5. Use a dice to decide who starts first

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to use the same scale on your grid when placing items.
    Why it happens: Kids might think it’s okay to place things anywhere.
    Fix: Always use the same units – for example, each square is 1 step.
  • Mistake: Not using chance to make the game fair.
    Why it happens: Kids might think one player is always better.
    Fix: Use a dice or coin flip to decide who goes first or what happens next.
  • Mistake: Not checking if the scoring system is balanced.
    Why it happens: Kids might give too many points for easy actions.
    Fix: Try your game and see if it feels fair. Adjust the points if needed.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help by:
  • Letting your child draw their game map and decide where to place things
  • Encouraging them to think about how fast characters move
  • Helping them count points and check if the game is fair
  • Using real-life examples like board games or sports to show how maths is used
  • Not pushing too hard – let them explore and make mistakes

Practice questions

  1. If a character moves 3 steps every second, how many steps will it take in 4 seconds?
  2. You place treasure at (2, 5). What does this mean?
  3. You give 10 points for a clue and 30 points for a treasure. How many points do you get for 2 clues and 1 treasure?
  4. How can you use a dice to make your game fair?
  5. What is the difference between a grid and coordinates?
Answers:
  1. 12 steps
  2. 2 steps right and 5 steps up
  3. 50 points
  4. Roll the dice to decide who goes first or what happens next
  5. A grid is a set of lines, and coordinates are the numbers that tell you where to find something on that grid

FAQ

What is a coordinate?
A coordinate is a number that tells you where something is on a grid. For example, (3, 4) means 3 steps to the right and 4 steps up.

How do I make a game fair?
You can make a game fair by using chance, like rolling a dice or flipping a coin to decide who goes first or what happens next.

Why do I need to know maths to be a game designer?
Maths helps you plan where to put things, how fast they move, and how many points they get. It makes your game more fun and balanced.

Can I use maths in any game?
Yes! Whether it's a board game, a video game, or a sport, maths is always involved. It helps you win, move, and score points.

What other maths can I use in games?
You can also use fractions (like half a point), time (how long a game lasts), and even simple graphs to show how many points players have.