Indie Game Lab
Kids
9 - 12
$475
About the Course
In this camp, students become indie game creators as they explore what sets indie games apart from major studio titles. They will examine popular indie hits like Hollow Knight, Undertale, and Stardew Valley, identifying the unique art styles, storytelling choices, and gameplay mechanics that helped these games stand out. Using Unity and Godot, two of the most widely used indie engines in the industry, students learn how to take an idea from concept to prototype. Through guided challenges, they will create small gameplay systems, design simple levels, and apply basic visual scripting and level design principles to customize starter templates. In the final stretch, students will iterate like real indie teams—playtesting, gathering feedback, and refining their ideas.
Objectives
Identify key differences between Indie Games and AAA games
Apply basic visual scripting to implement mechanics and interactions
Utilize Unity or Godot to customize core game elements by editing scenes, swapping assets, and adjusting gameplay behavior
Use iterative playtesting to identify issues and refine mechanics
Apply basic level design concepts, including layout, pacing, and challenge balancing
Software



Your Pilot

Zach
Zachary is a game developer and educator with experience across multiple professional game engines, including Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot multiple programming languages such as C#, C++, Python and SQL. His background in coding and software development allows him to translate complex technical concepts into engaging, age-appropriate lessons. His goal is to help learners build technical skills, creativity, and confidence through the game development process.

