Designing the next great video game

PLANO -- Video games ranging from Rock Paper Scissors to Call of Duty clones were created during last week's iD Tech Camp.

Plano ISD students Robert Zhu and Sterling Chambers were just two of the young video game designers who attended the camp, where campers learned everything from basic programming to video editing.

"We use technology to teach the kids how to design video games and learn basic programming using languages such as C++," said Olympia Thomas, camp director. "One new thing we are doing is our iPhone app classes. The kids are able to program an iPhone app. The kids can create them at a very young age, beginning at 7 years old."

Campers, ranging from elementary school-aged children to high school students, packed classrooms at SMU. Each student had their own computer and were given free rein to design whatever they chose.

Chambers, 11, spent Thursday designing a game he compared to the popular video game franchise Call of Duty.

"I am working on getting the guys to shoot back," Chambers said. "I am learning pretty much everything this week. This game is really, really fun."

While Chambers is only a fifth-grader, he said he is already thinking about the future. He said he would love to work for Volition, the game designer responsible for Saints Row 2, a game Chambers says is his favorite.

Zhu is another PISD student attending the camp. The 12-year-old Rice Middle School student worked on programming at the camp, primarily relating to role-playing games that asked users questions and then provided answers. He also built a Rock Paper Scissors game during his stint at the camp. Zhu said he didn't know much about programming before coming to the camp but he was "getting the hang of it."

Counselors work closely with students, with about six students for each counselor. While about 50 percent of campers return each year, counselors also enjoy the experience enough to return. One of those counselors is Eric Sinha, a film and video graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington.

"This is my fourth year to be a counselor at the camp," Sinha said. "The most important thing about working here is to not overshadow the campers. I want to let them do the work, not do the work myself."

Sinha teaches gaming classes, but what he is really passionate about is video editing. Each week, Sinha's campers write, direct, shoot and act in their own short film. Last week the film revolved around a courier who had to deliver a package while evading the enemy.

"I have a very minor role in the production of the film," he said. "I just want to be there to answer their questions."

While campers spend much of their time creating apps and videos, Thomas said the camp teaches more than just programming and video editing.

"A lot of what this camp does is help the kids build self-confidence," she said. "We have kids that come year after year and they just love the camp and the fact that with a little assistance from us, they are able to create something that adults spend years and years working to create. At the end of the camp they can take their games home and show them to their friends."

For information on the camp, visit www.internaldrive.com.

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