Saida Woolf

Saida Woolf, age 13, created Twisted Petals in hopes of producing a game that she and her friends would enjoy playing together. The point-and-click adventure integrates a unique soundtrack, original art, and engaging animations that accompany players as they attempt to escape from the mysterious game world. Built using the Adventure Game Studio engine, the Tehachapi, California-based game designer won the Middle School Open Platform category in the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge.

“It helps to have everything planned out ahead of time when developing a new game,” Saida advises aspiring developers. “And don’t forget to ask your friends for feedback—their enthusiasm really fuels the creative process.” In addition to creating original video games, Saida enjoys singing and acting in community theater, playing guitar, competing in science fairs and art contests, and dancing. She hopes to integrate her passion for math, science, and art into her plans for the future.

Screenshot from Twisted Petals by Saida Woolf. (Middle School Open Platform)

Sam Raymond

Explore an alien world and solve the mystery of your missing crewmates in The Trappist Incident, an original side scrolling shooter game created by 14-year-old Sam Raymond of Midlothian, Virginia. Inspired by his love of Star Wars and Star Trek, Sam’s engaging storyline and exciting gameplay won him the Middle School Unity category of the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge.

“Once I realized that coding and designing games wasn’t some form of magic, I thought it would be cool to learn the process as a way to release my imagination,” says Sam. “Game design has taught me that going outside of my comfort zone can result in lots of fun and new experiences.” He encourages other aspiring developers to be patient with themselves, and to think creatively about overcoming inevitable obstacles. When he’s not designing, Sam enjoys playing video games, spending time with friends, folding origami, playing his ocarina (an ancient wind instrument, similar to a flute), and taking care of his dogs. After high school, he hopes to study medical sciences or become a programmer.

The Trappist Incident, by Sam Raymond. (Middle School Unity)

James Nguyen

Journey to the majestic “Aisle of Fish” in 14-year-old James Nguyen’s original video game, Ultra Fishing. From colorful character profiles to a strong catch-and-release message, the Portland, Oregon-based designer drew inspiration from his love of fishing and passion for playing video games in conceptualizing the 2D strategy game. James’ attention to detail in developing Ultra Fishing floored the judges of the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge, winning him the High School Written Game Design Document title.

While developing his game design document, James’ biggest challenge was learning how to share his interests and ideas in a format that would be appealing and engaging to others. “Never give up,” James encourages other aspiring designers, “I’d held on to the idea for Ultra Fishing since third grade!” When he’s not designing, James also enjoys playing video games, spending time with his family, and listening to music. After high school he plans to study game design in-depth. “I hope to someday become a full-fledged video game creator,” says James.

Excerpt from the Ultra Fishing game design document: 

Zoe Plunkett

Can you stomach the fun of playing a video game while learning about science and the human body? In 10-year-old Zoe Plunkett’s original game, The Digestive System, players learn about a new step in the digestive process as they move through each level. With well-executed mechanics and thoughtful graphic design elements, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based designer won the Middle School Scratch category of the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge.

At age 7, Zoe learned about Scratch from her mom, and was excited for the chance to easily create her own games. “Through the process of designing The Digestive System, I’ve learned that to succeed, you sometimes have to try many, many times,” Zoe reflects. She reminds aspiring designers that when you’re developing a new game, it’s okay to start with an idea that feels small. “In the end, you’ll have created something that’s big and great.”

When she’s not creating new games, Zoe likes to read, write short stories, create stop motion videos, and ride her bike. She plans to pursue degrees in computer science and literature in college. “Eventually I hope to become an entrepreneur, creating websites for people.”

Screenshot from The Digestive System by Zoe Plunkett (Middle School Scratch)

Connor Shugg

Hot on the heels of his 2016 National STEM Video Game Challenge win for the music-themed game Allegria, 18-year-old Connor Shugg was even more ambitious with this year’s submission. Inspired by his experience in the classroom, Connor’s new platformer game The Calculus Test utilizes word problems as themes for each level, with test-taking stress manifesting as enemy sprites and weapons representing various mathematical operations. Thanks to his inventive concept and detailed original assets, including music and graphics, Connor, from Apex, North Carolina, won the High School GameMaker title in the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge.

In the fall, Connor will attend Virginia Tech and plans to major in computer science. “My dream job would be as an indie game developer,” he explains. Connor also hopes to carry on his passion for trumpet and marching band by joining Virginia Tech’s team, the Marching Virginians. His other hobbies include swimming, playing frisbee gold, watching movies like Lord of the Rings, and hanging out with friends.

“If you’re looking to create a game of your own, study each element of the game development spectrum: programming and logic, storytelling, music composition, and sprite drawing/animation,” Connor suggests. “Stay determined, give it your all, and don’t settle for mediocre! Your hard work will be rewarded.”

Screenshot from The Calculus Test by Connor Shugg (High School GameMaker)

Himani Chonkar

Aspiring movie director Himani Chonkar, age 11, from Waukesha, Wisconsin, shows a clear sense of cinematic vision in her original video game concept, STEM Obstacle Course. Positioned as the “ultimate challenge” in gaming, the players are offered a preview of upcoming levels at a distance and the opportunity to select the avatars and abilities best suited to complete required tasks and puzzles. Judges were impressed by her plans, which integrated a variety of key STEM concepts, and named her game the winner of the Middle School Written Game Design Document category in the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge.

“The most valuable lesson I learned is to make a game that’s challenging enough for a person to want to keep playing, where they can’t just press a few buttons and win,” says Himani. “It has to be fun, engaging, but not impossible.” In addition to developing original designs and playing video games on Scratch, her hobbies include volleyball, playing piano, dancing, and traveling. “Don’t be afraid to try ideas that haven’t been thought of before,” she encourages other aspiring designers. “Think outside the box.”

Screenshot from STEM Obstacle Course by Himani Chonkar

Lucas Armand and Shrey Pandya

The dynamic developing duo is at it again! In 2016, 14-year-old Lucas Armand of Malvern, Pennsylvania and 14-year-old Shrey Pandya of Exton, Pennsylvania wowed STEM Challenge judges with their science-themed game, Outbreak: Cellular Warfare, winning them the Nat Geo Explore Middle School Playable Game title. This year, the teammates took home their second National STEM Video Game Challenge victory, earning the Team Middle School Open Platform award for their latest design, Mainframe. With a narrative that follows the evolution of computers over recent decades, their real-time strategy game asks players to build, research, manage resources, and complete tasks.

“I got my start in game development by googling, ‘how to make a game,’ and found tons of great tutorials, resources, and tools along the way,” says Shrey. “Don’t be afraid to use the internet to learn and find solutions.” Both winners got an early start in game design, and by third grade were experimenting with tools like GameMaker. Lucas echoes the importance experimentation and iteration when learning about the process. “One of the most helpful tools for making a game is experience,” he explains. “Keep making games, regardless of whether they’re good or bad, and eventually it will become second nature.”

In the future, Shrey and Lucas plan to continue working in the tech space, with Shrey planning to study computer science. “I’ll probably do something with software,” says Lucas, “Or maybe virtual reality if it ever takes off.”

Screenshot from Mainframe by Lucas Armand and Shrey Pandya. (Open Platform Team, Middle School)

Jude Morey

Inspired by a wide variety of movies and games, the top-down shooter game Keeper is an ode to classic 16-bit era video games featuring vibrant graphics, music, and sounds. Created by 16-year-old Jude Morey of Beech Grove, Indiana, Keeper took home the High School Open Platform title in the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge.

“I started out making 2D and 3D models and animations,” explains Jude. “Through that process I became more interested in making games.” When he learned about the National STEM Video Game Challenge after a search for game design competitions online, submitting Keeper was a no brainer. “[As an aspiring game designer,] it’s important to keep learning as much as you can,” Jude recommends, “And take every opportunity you get to learn even more.” Developing an iterative process enabled Jude to make his game more enjoyable over time, and he encourages other developers to do the same.

After high school, Jude hopes to combine his interests in media arts and animation, computer science, and game design. When he’s not designing new games, his hobbies include playing baseball and the drums.

Screenshot from Keeper by Jude Morey. (High School Open Platform)

Geneva Heyward

Inspired to create a video game that would engage young people while fostering ecological responsibility, Geneva Heyward from Corona, New York, developed Green Hero. “The idea came to me when I was researching different ways to stop climate change and better the environment,” explains the 17-year-old. “To make it more appealing for children, I decided the main character should be doing tasks that ‘normal’ people could also do—that’s how the Green Hero was born.” In addition to taking home the High School Unity title in the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge, Green Hero was also recognized in the 2017 Games for Change Student Challenge, winning the NYC Climate Change category and receiving further acclaim as Grand Prize Winner Runner-Up.

Geneva’s interest in game design developed in middle school when she saw others presenting their work online, but it wasn’t until she attended NYU’s Future Game Designer’s program that her passion truly took off. “I’ve been obsessed with becoming a game designer ever since,” she confesses. Excited to keep honing her skills, Geneva recently attended the Savannah College of Art and Design’s summer seminar to study character and game design. She’s also enrolled in the School of Interactive Arts (SIA) pre-college program, through which she created Green Hero. After graduating, she plans to continue working with SIA as a teaching assistant.

In her free time, Geneva enjoys drawing, making stories, playing games, reading webcomics, and playing guitar. She plans to study game design in college, and hopes to become an indie game developer after graduating. Her advice for aspiring designers? If what you’re working on doesn’t make you happy, try something different until it feels right. “And don’t overwork yourself,” cautions the designer. “If you don’t feel well, you won’t work well, and if you can’t work well, neither will your game.”

Screenshot from Green Hero by Geneva Heyward. (High School Unity)

Mason Felton

It was a love of dinosaurs that sparked inspiration for 15-year-old Mason Felton’s original video game design, Extinction. Integrating rich custom backgrounds and thoughtfully leveled gameplay, the game invites players to navigate Earth as a dinosaur named Jeff, who, despite his omnivore upbringing, aims to avoid meat whenever possible. The peaceful reptile’s perilous journey through a quickly-changing climate won Mason, from Ripon, Wisconsin, the High School Gamestar Mechanic title in the 2017 National STEM Video Game Challenge.

When he’s not developing video games, Mason likes to draw and write stories. He’s also active in Boy Scouts, and is currently working on completing his Eagle Project. He credits his mom for inspiring the best in his design process: “She pushes me to be a better person,” says the designer, “and encourages me to do things to the best of my ability.” After high school, Mason hopes to integrate his interest in design as an engineer.

Screenshot from Extinction by Mason Felton (High School Gamestar Mechanic)