It depends! Construct 3 is a perfect landing zone for new to expert programmers. All kids are required to do at least some programming at least once, in addition to contributing audio and art assets. This matters because imagine that each kid has to type out a sheet of code that is their contribution to the project. Their assigned lab leader then has to take those sheets of code and combine them into one, relentlessly testing and troubleshooting the bugs that emerge. That kind of collaboration, while not seamless, is still very difficult to find in other software which is set up for one person to work on everything at one time. Given our camp structure, it isn’t usually feasible for us to deviate a lot from that formula.
Now depending on the type of game the kids make exceptions can be made. Visual novels or choose your own adventure games can be more easily done in programs like YarnSpinner or Twine. Hence the case by case basis.
That would be Construct 3. It isn’t the only one we use, but it is the main one. Construct is a mostly 2D engine that uses HTML and Javascript but does have limited 3D capabilities as well. You can check it out at construct.net
The reason it’s a mainstay is because we’re always given kids at varying skill levels who are either comfortable or brand new in front of a PC, let alone a game engine, and Construct is the perfect landing zone for both. It is browser-based, has a handy free trial, is robust enough to make a game for every platform up until the Nintendo DS (handhelds)/Playstation(consoles), and has scores and scores of documentation to help solve problems that may arise.
Students don’t get the rarity of all of those things at once until they get to college. While not an industry standard, Construct is perfect not only for our camp but also game jams in general given its ease of use and flexibility of features. It’s the perfect prototyper!
To register, go to the Registration Page and choose the week you would like for your child to attend. Fill out the information requested, then click “add to cart” and pay a $150 deposit to hold your camper’s spot. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided — PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK YOU’RE USING THE CORRECT EMAIL, AS THIS IS OUR MAIN METHOD OF CONTACTING YOU.
There is no official registration start date. Summer dates are posted at the beginning of the new year. You may submit your completed registration forms at any time prior to the start of the session you are registering for. We recommend registering early to ensure enrollment in the session of your choice.
A healthy catered lunch is provided, as is all necessary software, hardware, and tutorial materials.
IF YOUR STUDENT REQUIRES AN EPI PEN FOR ALLERGIES, PLEASE ENSURE IT IS BROUGHT WITH THEM TO CAMP.
Students are welcome to bring their own laptops, accessories, or art materials they’d like to use, but this is not required. Game Worlds is not responsible for damage or loss to personal items brought to camp.
Students may also bring games they’d like to play during free time, but these must be checked in during morning sign-in. This allows us to make sure the content is appropriate for all students, and that the games are clearly identified as the student’s property.
All of the students’ work (including source files for art, code, audio, and a video of their final presentation) will be provided to parents at the end of the summer through the email address provided during registration. Games will be hosted on the Game Worlds website for friends and family to play.
Each week-long session is $725. There is a $100 discount if a student is registered before March 1st, or a $50 discount if a student is registered before May 1st. There is also a $50 discount for siblings who are signed up for the same session.
If you are signing up for multiple sessions, you can take advantage of our 5-session Bundle (4 full-price sessions plus a FREE 5th session) or 3-session Bundle (2 full-price sessions plus half-off the 3rd session), but the bundle discounts CAN NOT BE COMBINED with Early Bird or Sibling discounts.
In addition, we offer a $50 referral bonus, which is not capped — if you refer enough friends, your entire session could be free! Referrals must be new campers, not returning, and must list your name in the “How did you hear about us?” section of their registration form.
We also have limited scholarships available for families in need. Contact Jennifer@gameworldscamp.com for more information on applying for scholarships.
Monday – Thursday
Sign-in: 8:00-8:30 am
Pick-up: 4:30-5:00 pm
Please allow 15-20 minutes for the first sign-in on Mondays, so we can make sure all paperwork is filled out and any outstanding payments are taken care of. All other days are immediate drop-offs when you arrive.
Friday
Sign-in: 8:00-8:30 am
Presentations: 3:30-5:30 pm
Pick-up: 9:00 pm
Friday is the day our students present their work to parents and industry professionals. We love for family and friends to attend! Afterward we have an awards ceremony, then a pizza and gaming party that lasts until 9:00 pm.
We also offer Extended Hours from as early as 7:00 am to as late as 6:00 pm for an extra $150 per week. Please be sure to add this to your cart when signing up so that we can schedule staff!
You can pay by check, money order, cash, or credit card. A non-refundable $150 deposit is due at registration to hold your child’s spot, or you may opt to pay the full amount online at that time. Shortly afterward, you will receive an invoice by email for the remaining amount, including any discounts that may apply. Payment is due in full by the first day of your registered session.
If you are paying by check or money order, please mail it to: Game Worlds, 7950 Anderson Square #109, Austin TX 78757. Please do not mail cash.
For billing questions, please email Jennifer@gameworldscamp.com.
We are happy to show off our facility during the school year! If you are interested in making an appointment to come see the space, please email Jennifer@gameworldscamp.com. If you are trying to tour the camp during the summer while camp is in session, it will depend on the number of children we have registered that week — please email Jennifer@gameworldscamp.com to discuss availability.
Each session, students are grouped into teams of 3-6 according to age and experience. The team works as a group to create a game around the week’s theme (“Underwater Exploration,” “Fantastic Voyage Into the Body,” “Dinosaurs,” etc). Each team is led by a counselor who serves as a mentor and instructor during the course of the week. Many of our counselors are former campers!
Each day starts with a presentation from a professional game developer, who may specialize in programming, digital art, sound design, level design, production, QA testing, or even voiceacting. The students will then have “lab time” to work on the mechanics and details of their game. Throughout the week there are also a variety of tutorials for students of different skill levels to explore a specific area of development or piece of software. This allows our curriculum to be flexible and grow with each student week over week, and year over year.
On Friday, the students put together a pitch and present their game to a panel of industry professionals! Prizes are awarded to the winning team, as well as individual students who stood out that week through their dedication, curiosity, enthusiasm, and improvement. Parents are encouraged to attend the presentations and see the amazing work their students have achieved in just one week!
Campers are sorted by a combination of age and experience/skill level. The exact age breakdown of your child’s group may vary depending on which campers have registered each week, but generally speaking they will be working with peers who are close in age. If a student is attending camp with a friend, just let us know and we can be sure they are put into the same group!
Registration numbers will vary, but typically each session has between 20-35 students.
If your student needs to leave early, please email Sami@gameworldscamp.com or call us at (737) 420-2248 to let us know ahead of time. You can also let us know when you check your students in that morning.
Yes. Please notify us at sign-in, or by phone at (737) 420-2248.
A healthy lunch is included with the cost of the camp. We are able to work with most dietary restrictions and food allergies if notified ahead of time. Please include this information in your registration form. If your child would still prefer to bring their own lunch, that is also fine. We have a microwave and refrigerator on site.
If your child has an allergy that requires an Epi Pen, we will need a parent or guardian to fill out additional forms during sign-in.
Our Registration page has listings for every week we will be open each summer. If a week is full, it will be marked “SOLD OUT.”
A $150 deposit is required for your registration to be considered complete. If you choose to pay by check and we have not received your deposit within a week after registration, we may reach out to you, and your spot may potentially be lost if the week is full and other students are waiting to register.
Yes, although there is a limit to the number of discounts that may be applied to any single session. Sibling discounts (as well as 5-session or 3-session bundle discounts, and referral discounts) will be calculated and included on your invoice, which should arrive by email shortly after registration. If you have any billing questions, please email Jennifer@gameworldscamp.com.
Yes, we have a limited number of scholarships based on need. Please email jennifer@gameworldscamp.com for more information.
Absolutely! We offer a flexible curriculum that grows with each student’s increasing knowledge and skill level. We’d love to see them again.
Yes, please email Jennifer@gameworldscamp.com for more information.
If you choose to cancel enrollment before the first day of your camp session, all payments will be refunded MINUS the $150 non-refundable deposit. We are unable to issue any refunds after a session has already started.
Game Worlds also reserves the right to cancel a camp session due to insufficient enrollment. If Game Worlds cancels a session, all fees will be fully refunded.
The online registration form and $150 deposit are the only things required to hold your spot in your registered session. On the first day of camp, we may have additional forms for campers who will take medication at camp or who carry an Epi-pen.
Game Worlds is not a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, nor are we a licensed daycare provider. Please check with your accountant to determine if attendance at Game Worlds qualifies you for the childcare deduction according to your personal tax situation. If you need our EIN for tax purposes, please email jennifer@gameworldscamp.com.