Country of Residence

United States

Age

17

Project title

Game Worlds for Everyone

Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence

I want to help kids learn how to make their own video game characters and worlds.

Website URL(s) or social media handles.

Project Category

My project is a brand new / emerging idea

Project Stage

Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)

Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?

I really love video games. My favorite part is the characters and the worlds in the games. I think it is really cool how people make them, and I want to learn how to make my own video games one day. I also want to make my own characters and worlds. I had an idea. What if I could help other kids make their own characters too? I think that would be really fun. We could make cool characters and share our ideas with each other. That is why I want to start this project.

The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?

A lot of kids like playing video games but some kids don’t know how to make their own games or characters. Some kids also might not have the money for classes or special computer programs. I think every kid should have a chance to be creative. You should not need a lot of money to make something cool. I want to help kids learn how to make characters and worlds. I want them to know that their ideas are important too.

Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.

I want to start a free activity for kids who like video games. I’ll show them how to make their own video game characters. They can draw their characters on paper or use free computer programs. First, we’ll think about what our characters look like. Then we will give them names and special powers. We can also make worlds for them to live in. I want to make some easy worksheets to help kids get started. We can share our characters and talk about our ideas. Everyone can make something different. I can ask my mom to help me find a place where we can meet and make sure everything is safe.

Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?

I haven’t started my project yet, but I am excited to try it. My first goal is to help 5 kids make their own video game characters. I want every kid to leave with a character they made by themselves. If the first activity goes well, I want to help more kids, and I think this can work because a lot of kids already love video games. I can show them making things can be just as fun as playing.

Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?

My project is different because kids dont need to know anything about making video games. They do not need a fancy computer or some special programs. We can start with just paper, pencils, and our ideas. They can make any kind of character they want. It can be a superhero, an animal, a monster, or something they made up.There are no wrong characters. I also want kids to help each other. Someone might be good at drawing. Someone else might be good at making up stories. I want everyone to feel welcome, even if they are shy or have never tried something like this before.

How many people are on your team?

2

Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?

Right now, my team is me and my mom. I am the leader of the project. I can think of the activities, make the character worksheets, and help the kids. My mom will help me get supplies and find a place to meet. I make the decisions. My mom will help me with the things I can’t do by myself.

What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.

First, I will make some of my own video game characters and easy worksheets that other kids can use. I’ll ask my mom to help me get supplies and find a place for our first activity. Then I want to invite about 5 kids to come make characters with me. I’ll show them how to get started When we finish, I’ll ask for some feedback

How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.

I will tell other kids about my project and ask if they want to join. I can make a flyer in canva with some cool video game characters on it. My mom can help me share it on social media.