2013-2014 washington state regional future city competition

2013-2014 Washington State Future City Competition

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2013-2014 Washington State Regional Future City Competition

TEACHER/MENTORORIENTATION WORKSHOP

Fall, 2013


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Agenda

Introductions Learning Blocks Role of Engineer, Teacher & Students Organizing your Future City Students Changes for this Year Regional Competition Schedule/Deliverables Competition Scoring Future City Overview Questions & Answers


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Washington State Future City Committee

Karen Pavletich (Regional Coordinator) Stephen Allen (Treasurer/Webmaster) Leann Kostek (Sponsorship Coordinator) Tanya Panomvana (Publicity) Jens Nedrud/Katrina Alexander (Teacher/School Coordinators) Curtis Lu (Mentor Coordinator) Hannah Jimma (Competition Day Coordinator) Jeanne Harshbarger (Judging Coordinator) Josh (Awards/Prizes) Louis Tibbs/Kassidy Warren/ (Scoring Co-Coordinator and

SimCity Program Resources) Franklin Lu/Del Johnson/Jenny Boyer/Ponet Neuansourinh

(Members-at-Large)


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Can I do Future City without competing?

Yes! Future City is first and foremost a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) program. Educators, parents, and mentors are encouraged to adapt Future City to match their individual educational goals. Over the years, educators and mentors have used the Virtual City Design to teach city planning; the Essay to strengthen research and writing skills; and the Physical Model to understand scale, potential and kinetic energy, and city planning.


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Evaluations find Future City Teaches 21 Century Skills

Educators, mentors, and parents agree Future City is strengthening students’

skills. Educators Mentors Parents– Teamwork 84% 89% 90%– Public Speaking 75% 85% 80%– Project Management 74% 76% 83%– Working Independently 71% 76% 84%– Writing & Research 66% 81% 79%

91% of educators said they would recommend Future City to a colleague.


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Future City Overview in 5 minutes

http://futurecity.org/national-news/future-city-epk


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Resources: Video Tutorials

Now live on http://futurecity.org/stepbystep The tutorial videos have been integrated into the stepbystep pages.

Each video lives within its related section. (e.g., the SimCity tutorial video is on the overview page of the Design the Virtual City page. )


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Learning Blocks

Our online Learning Blocks are another great resource you can use to underpin Future City’s key concepts, or to use independently of the competition. There are four different Learning Blocks—City Planning: Zoning and Infrastructure; SimCity: Understanding the Game; Model Building Concepts; and Model Construction.

Each Learning Block includes:• Hands-on Activities• Background Information• Key Terms & Concepts • Links to National Standards• Additional Resources

Check out the Learning Blocks at www.futurecity.org/learningblocks


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Role of Engineering Mentor

May be students first contact with an engineer

Provide input and technical adviceHelp with project planningEstablish deadlines and goalsProvide reality checkHelp with understanding the rulesLet the students do the workSee pages 9 & 10.


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Finding an Engineering Mentor

Benefits of Recruiting Your Own Engineering Mentor Self interest: Volunteers with a close relationship to your school (e.g., parents of your students)

will automatically be more interested in helping to enhance the learning process Knowledge: Local volunteers will have an increased awareness of local concerns and the

resources and goals of your school Better outcomes: You have a better chance for success with a volunteer you have chosen.

Finding Engineering Mentor Ask an engineer who has visited your classroom on other occasions (career days, science fair

judging). Appeal to the parents of the students in your class or school. Place an article in the school

newspaper or send a letter home with the students. Check with your colleagues at the school. Perhaps one of them is married to or knows an engineer. Contact your school’s business partners. A local contact that has made a community commitment

is an "easy" target. Contact your City's Bureau of Engineers. City partnerships with the local school district are usually

a priority. Tap into other community resources such as YMCA, PTA, churches, museums. They may have

volunteers that are willing to help. Issue a school press release announcing your participation and the need for a volunteer. Look in the phone book under "Engineering" firms. Call to see if they are interested in education

programs and community service. Check with the local chapters of the major engineering professional associations

http://pseconline.org/Societies/


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Role of Teacher

Facilitator and advisor Organize the team within the school Assure competition rules are followed Maintain contact with the engineer mentor Keep students on task National Education Standards (pgs 64-79)


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Role of Student

Actual creators of the “Future City” All team members provide input Agree on compromise when there is disagreement Have FUN!!


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Organizing your Future City Students

Single Team from One School or Classroom (Three Students)

Multiple Teams from One School or Classroom (Multiple groups of three students)

Large Group or Classroom Collective Effort (More than three students working together on one team)


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Organizing your Future City Students

See page 9 of your handbook for more details on how to organize your students.

The classroom collective effort is a great way to involve more students in the program.

Keep in mind though that if you choose the collective effort that your group will have to self-select three presenters (which have been chosen by teacher or peers). Those will be the three “official student team members” for both the Regional and National Competitions.


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Changes for 2013/2014

New Regional Venue – Museum of Flight Choice of game format new SimCity or

SimCity4 (will be judged with same rubric)

Online Submission Center via National Future City Website

Updated scoring, still 5 components was 400 points now 290 points


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Changes from 2012-2013

Clubs can now participate. Members of a nationally, regionally, or state recognized youth-focused organization, such as the Boys or Girls Scouts; Boys and Girls Clubs; 4-H, etc. Not sure if your organization qualifies? Contact [email protected].

For SimCity4 MAC download codes are no longer available.


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Competition Timeline

While our deadline for SimCity Disk File, Research Essay and City Narrative is not until Jan. 13th – we do encourage team’s to work hard and try to meet the Dec. 20th “Early Submittal” deadline.

Teams will need to monitor their progress. Teacher can assign earlier due dates for the

deliverables if their students need more structure to the schedule.

We encourage teams to assign a project manager role to one of their team members.


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Competition Schedule / Submittal Deadlines

Tuesday, December 20, 2013Teams will be eligible for an "Early Submittal" drawing if they have turned in: SimCity Disk File City Narrative Form (pg. 34) and City Narrative (500 words) Research Essay Form (pg. 30) and Essay (1000 words)

Monday, January 13, 2014(in our hands by the end of business day, absolute last day to submit - no late submittals will be accepted) SimCity Disk File City Narrative Form (pg. 34) and City Narrative (500 words) Research Essay Form (pg. 30) and Essay (1000 words)

Friday, January 17, 2014 Final Team Registration Form (form to be provided later – see our Washington State Future City Web

Site) Honors Statement (pg. 48) Media Waiver Form (pg. 49) Home School Affidavit (if applicable, pg. 12)

Saturday, January 25, 2014NEW VENUE THIS YEAR – Museum of Flight @ Boeing Field 9404 East Marginal Way S, Seattle WA

Regional Competition Day Physical City Model Competition Expense Form (pg. 42) Oral Presentation


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Guidelines for Project Management (pg 11)

September – November1. Choose your SimCity format involving your schools IT specialist in the decision.2. Check for online training on the national FC website.3. Meet with student, introduce program, decide team format and decide how often to meet. 4. Recruit and meet with your engineer mentor.5. Identify major task that need to be completed. Post calendar with deadlines and work with students

to estimate how much time is needed for each task. 6. Introduce SimCity and begin to plan and design Virtual City.7. Start researching, outlining and creating rough draft of the essay.8. Start gathering recyclable materials for the physical models.October – December1. Continue to design virtual city. 2. Start building the physical model of your Future City.3. Finish researching and writing the essay. 4. Finish and upload Virtual City Design at www.futurecity.org (see due dates on schedule)4. Write the City Narrative.5. Upload your Research Essay and City Narrative www.futurecity.org (see due dates on schedule). 6. Celebrate achievement of milestones and evaluate progress to date.December – January1. Continue to work on the physical model.2. Develop and practice the presentation.3. In January, compete in the regional Future City Competition.4. Celebrate achievements.

http://www.futurecity.org/

http://www.futurecity.org/


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Regional Competition

When Saturday, January 25, 2014

WhereMuseum of Flight @ Boeing Field 9404 East Marginal Way S, Seattle WA

Time Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. Final schedule

will depend on number of teams actually attending (Team registration forms due Jan 13, 2013)

Cost Team members provide their own transportation,

meals and any overnight expenses


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Competition Format

Morning “run-off competition”Up to 5 teams from each school may compete

Afternoon “regional competition”5 finalists from the morning competitionOnly one finalist from any individual school


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Competition Scoring

Points Scored:Virtual City Design (pg. 13) was 80pts 60 ptsEssay/Narrative (pgs. 20 / 31) was 75/25pts 60/20 ptsPhysical Model (pg. 35) was 120pts 90 ptsTeam Presentation (pg. 43) was 90 pts 60 pts

290 pts

Last year the total points scored was 400.


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Competition Scoring

Scoring Deductions (pg 52): Don’t lose easy points. Become familiar with

deductions. There are deductions for exceeding essay and

narrative word counts There are deductions for missing the honor

statement. All teams will be asked to turn in their completed honor statement.

Rude behavior or disruption of judging by any team member or their guest qualifies as unsportsmanlike conduct and a 20 point deduction.

See deductions for the new SimCity


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Competition Scoring

Judges’ decisions are finalAt the regional level the Regional

Coordinator has the final word on any dispute. There is NO National appeals process.

At the National Finals the Judges’ decisions are final.


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Regional Competition Prizes

Prizes 1st Place Team - Trip to National Competition in

Washington DC (if we get 20 registered school, TBD otherwise) 2nd Place Team - TBD 3rd Place Team – TBD

Medals Medals for all participants at Regional Competition

Other Future City T-shirts Door prizes Certificates


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Additional Team Members???

While we would like to be able to give out t-shirts and prizes to all the kids that support Future City Teams, our budget is just not there. If you have additional students supporting your team members – let us know in advance and we can let you know the cost of additional t-shirts and gift bags.


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Following the Regional Competition

National Competition Need 20 registered schools to advance from

Region to National competition. Trip to Washington DC, February 15-19, 2014

for Regional winning team (hotel & airfare Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 3 team members, teacher & mentor)

$7500 for organization’s STEM program and a Trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama for National winning team


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Guidelines for Project Management (pg 11)

September – NovemberHold your initial meetings for the Future City team.1. Decide your Future City team format.2. Meet with your team(s) to share the components of the program.3. Recruit and coordinate with your engineer mentor.4. Introduce students to SimCity 4 Deluxe.5. Work on Program Components:

a. Plan the future Cityb. Use SimCity to design and simulate the future cityc. Begin researching, outlining, and creating the rough draft of the 1000 word essay. d. Begin gathering recyclable materials for your model.

October – December1. Start building the physical model of your Future City.

a. Decide what portion of the city you will build.b. Decide on the scale of your model.

2. Submit the SimCity 4 Deluxe™ city design of Future City to Regional Coordinator3. Write a 500 word narrative describing your Future City.4. Finish researching and writing the essay.5. Submit the Research Essay and City Narrative to your Regional Coordinator. 6. Celebrate achievement of milestones and evaluate progress to date.December – January1. Create presentation.2. Practice presentation.3. In January, compete in the regional Future City Competition.4. Celebrate achievements.


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‘Average’ Is Great!

“One of the joys of the Future City Competition is that it appeals to ‘average’ students; we saw that average students produce well-above-average results. Don’t limit the program and exclude these seemingly average students who have the potential for greatness” – Region Coordinator


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Future City Overview

Design Virtual City

Research & Write Essay on this Year’s Theme

Write a City Narrative

Build the Physical Model

Present Your City


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Design Virtual City

SimCity is a computer game/simulation that allows the team to design, build, and run a city!

First phase of the competition. Worth 60 points out of total of 290 competition points.

Great "incentive" for students to get involved. It's more than just a game…

understand the objectives and the judging criteria! Several iterations of computer city design will probably be

needed. Avoid the last minute panics and disasters! SimCity Help & Support

Learning Blocks: SimCity – Understanding the Game & City Planning, www.futurecity.org/learningblocks

See the regional website http://washingtonfuturecity.org/simcity.html Send email to our expert Louis Tibbs at [email protected]

http://washingtonfuturecity.org/simcity.html


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SimCity – Origin Account & Firewall Issues

Firewall Issues – both SimCity ames require you to install the free EA gaming system Origin on your computer.

To play the new SimCity the computer must be connected to the Internet access the cloud-based version of SimCity via an Origin account.

Some school’s firewalls need to be altered to allow access to Origin and SimCity. Consult your IT dept and www.origin.com/faq


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Using the new SimCity

Using the new SimCity you must design the city using the Whitewater Valley region.

Teams then choose to build their city from any of 5 sites within the region.

When you create you new city write down the name of the server you select when you create your city.

Teams will not need to upload their city for submittal. We are working out how you will provide you Origin user name and password. You will still need to complete the Virtual City Form


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For those staying with SimCity4 this year–no MAC software

Electronic Arts (EA) is not providing SimCity4 in the MAC version. If you have no PC options and are unable to find any MAC copies, please contact me.


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Sim City Cheat Codes

The only cheat code allowed by Future City is the “whererufrom” code to change the name of your City.

No other cheat code should be used at any time.


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Getting Started - SimCity 4

Teams must design their city in the pre-designed Medium City Starter Region. Download this at www.futurecity.org/resources

City must be started from scratch each year.Your city needs to progress to at least 150

year into the future and have a population of at least 50,000.

Check out our regional website for submitting / saving your SimCity Files http://washingtonfuturecity.org/simcity.html

SimCity 4 is a temperamental program! Save Often. Save Often. Save Often.




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Computer Design Scoring

Virtual City Design Rubric (pg 16-18)City Plan (15 points)Basic Svcs & Requirements (15 points)Tradeoffs (18 points)City Management (12 points)Note – Virtual City form added this

year (there had been Benchmark Form that was dropped last year)


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SimCity

Using SimCity stimulates awareness about the complex relationships and dynamics of citizen needs, growth, taxation, revenues and sustainability. Discuss how the decisions the students made about what to build, when to build it and whether to build affected wither people wanted to move and remain in their city.


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Research & Write Essay & Narrative

Research Essay Form (pg 30), Research Essay Rubric (pgs 28-29)

Research Essay Question & Web Resources (pgs 20-27)

City Narrative (pgs 31-32)City Narrative Form (pg 34), City

Narrative Rubric (pg 33)


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Essay Topic

“Tomorrow’s Transit: Design a way to move people in and around your city.”

Think about a field trip in our own back yard:Take a visit to your local city, county or WSDOT

public works department. Explore some local traffic sites. /Take a look at some of the suggested web-sites

on pg 26.

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/


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Fuel Your Future Research Essay Rubric

Define the Problem (6 points) Specs and Solution (15 points) Understand Engr Role (6 points) Judge Assessment of Solution (15

points)

Understand Engr Role (6 points)

Writing Skills (18 points)


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Question & Answer #1

Question: Is the 500 word city narrative supposed to just describe the “Future City” created

with SimCity 4 or is it supposed to include the components represented in the physical model of the Future City?

Answer: The description in the narrative is not limited to the computer city created with

SimCity 4. It should describe the whole “Future City” described by a combination of the computer model, essay, and physical model. The judges for the essay and narrative will probably not be the same ones that will be judging the computer model. The narrative may be used as a reference for the judges on competition day to get an overall idea about the team’s “Future City” and as a resource for questions that they may ask the team. Teams can go to www.futurecity.org and view the winning abstracts and essays from previous national competition to use as examples (go to “Site Map” and click on “Winning Essays”).


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City Narrative Rubric

Describe the City (12 points)

Writing Skills (8 points)


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Build the Model

Future City Model (pg 35-37)

Model Rules (pg 50)Physical Model Rubric (pg

38-40) Expense Form (pg 41)Model Tips and Examples

– Check out the past!!! http://washingtonfuturecity.org/pictures.htmlhttp://futurecity.org/gallery

http://washingtonfuturecity.org/pictures.html

http://washingtonfuturecity.org/pictures.html


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Model Scoring

Future City Model Rubric (pg 38-40)Creativity (20 points)Quality and Scale (18 points)City Design (42 points)Materials & Moving Part(s) (18

points)


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Clarification on Model Rules

For the physical models it is now stated in rule 24 (pg 51): Teams must begin with a new model each year and are not allowed to use a previous year’s physical model (note: individual materials, including the model’s platform, may be reused).


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Question: How do you justify making wild and creative aspects of your city in the

physical model and essay but only have standard components in the computer model? An example would be making an underground city in the physical model and essay but only have the option of standard city components in the SimCity model. Or a wild, magnetic levitation system of transportation in the physical model but not have that in the computer model.

Answer: It is OK for the kids to be creative in their physical model, to explain

concepts that are not available in the SimCity 4 design function of the city. “The model does not have to be an exact building-by-building duplication of the Computer Design. Rather, the purpose of the model is to give a 3-dimensional, creative representation of the students’ vision of their city.”


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Question: What limitations to the students have with regard to what technology they use in

their Future City? Is it just "if they can think of it, then they can do it" or is there any rule that says they have to be rooted in reality in any way? How do you define this? Does the technology have to be something that is currently being researched or can it be anything?

Answer: The technology should be based in some type of reality, but we don't have a

specific rule. This subject would be covered when the students present their models to the judges and have to explain their city and working components. It can be a technology that is not yet verified, but possible. It is up to the engineer mentor to guide the discussion.


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Question: How picky are the judges going to be about the size of the model and

presentation materials?

Answer: This is an engineering competition and precise dimensions are an import aspect

of engineering. The rules specify maximum dimensions for the model which include the model base board and any supporting braces (see pg. 35). There are 15 point penalties (pg. 37) if the judge finds that the model or presentation materials exceed the maximum dimensions (even by a fraction of an inch). Remember that the judge’s decision is final and there is no appeal. We recommend that you make the model slightly smaller than the maximum dimensions to that there will be no question whether it meets the requirements. The size does not include the table or easel stand, if one is used. It does include things hanging from or attached to the presentation material (like balloons and other props).


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Team Presentation

Rules (pg. 50)Presentation Not to

Exceed 7 MinutesQA w/ Judges 5-8

MinutesPresentation (pg.

43-45)


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Team Presentation

Team Presentation Rubric (pg 46-47)Knowledge (30 points)Presentation SKills (18 points)Teamwork (12 points)


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Presentation Tips

Keep cue cards to a minimum Focus on selling some aspect of your city Don’t just spit out confusing game statistics Let judges and onlookers know what portion of

your city you modeled Don’t loose easy points

Expense Form (15 pt deduction) Model ID Card (5 pt deduction) Make model size smaller than (not equal to) max

dimensions

Practice, Practice, Practice!!!


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Question: Is is OK to have costumes and props for the presentation and is there any limit

to what the students can use?

Answer: Students are encouraged to be creative and as professional as possible. The

purpose of the team presentation materials is to concisely describe specific design issues, features and key aspects of the city design. Costumes and props add a fun dimension to the program but they do not add to the presentation scoring. The competition is designed to have an “economically level playing field” so expensive costumes and props are not encouraged. Costs for any materials used as part of the presentation including special costumes or props should be included on the materials expense form and may not exceed $100 (cash or in-kind)?


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The Teams were prepared!


The Judges got ready!


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Judging the Presentation and Models


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Committee Contact Information

Regional Coordinator

Karen [email protected] / 425-462-3871

Teacher/School Coordinator

Jens Nedrud [email protected]

Mentor Coordinator

Curtis Lu [email protected]

2013-2014 washington state regional future city competition

Documents

future city studentschanges

virtual city design

virtual city page

future citys key concepts

simcity tutorial video

students skills

infrastructure simcity

game model building