How It All Started
In the summer of 2020, during high school, I thought of creating a game for the fun of it. I had always been interested in playing games, from starting on an iPad in my pre-teens to watching YouTube videos of Minecraft back in 2009 before people even knew what video streaming was!
I knew that I wanted to create a game, but I didn’t know how to code. After a bit of digging around on the web, I stumbled across RPG Maker – a simplistic game engine popular for RPG and Story-driven 2D games. I watched countless tutorials, researched how to do things and even made a few friends on Discord, all in the name of creating my OWN game.
After about a month of hard development without a single drop of art, programming or game design skills, I created a “game” (more like an abomination). The first thing I did, was to get my younger brother to test it. I cannot accurately describe how I felt. It was a mix of joy and excitement as he loaded my .exe file for the first time. I watched him play through the entire game whilst listening to what he had to say. He was my very first customer. This was the moment, I knew I wanted to do video game development for a career.
After this, I knew that I had to show the world. I wanted more eyes on my game. I wanted to know how people felt, played or even critiqued it. I wanted to improve and become better at it so I can create a better game to share with my brother. So, I submitted my game to a small YouTube creator who did video reviews.
I was so ecstatic when I saw the upload for his new video until after looking at the comments and listening to the YouTuber’s words, it was a snap back to real life when I realised I had a long long way to go in my video game development skills. It was a bittersweet moment when I realised the monster I had made. But, this didn’t trip me up, it only increased my hunger to create good games and solidified that I had my passion for creating entertainment.
Advent Of Code 2024
I participated in Advent of Code 2024 because I wanted to get better at coding. This year was difficult for me as I had limited time to do much coding since I had my girlfriend staying with me from another country. However, I did manage to get to day 7 and learnt a lot on the way. The three biggest things I took away from this experience, are that there is a lot of hidden gems in C++, coding needs a lot of thinking and finally, sometimes the best code is done dirty.
Study Abroad 2023-2024
The Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters were some of the most unforgettable moments of my life. I was fortunate to be selected for a study abroad program, an opportunity that led me to the charming city of Burlington, Vermont, USA.
During my time there, I experienced things I had never imagined—seeing the dazzling skyline of New York City, driving on American roads, and walking through real snow for the first time. This short but transformative journey reshaped my perspective on life, not only because of the diverse people I met but also due to the cultural contrasts and the challenges of adapting to a lifestyle so different from my home in the United Kingdom. While I was there, I also got to travel to California to stay for Christmas with a friend (now girlfriend) and it was amazing.
From Halloween parties and American diners to the vibrant music scene and the unique school environment, every experience broadened my horizons. I had always been timid and hesitant about change, but this adventure helped me grow. I found myself evolving from a quiet introvert into more of an ambivert, embracing new experiences with an open heart.
This experience made me realize my passion for travelling the world, immersing myself in new cultures, and embracing unique experiences. I want to connect with people from all walks of life, forging friendships across continents. The thrill of trying new things excites me, and I find it incredible that we live in such a diverse and vibrant world—one where we can simply hop on a plane and embark on endless adventures.