Q:What's been the most surprising thing about your experience with GSM Online Learning Program? Anything you didn't expect?

A: I thought that the program was going to be all facts honestly, but when I started it, it was like the first time I played Gamestar Mechanic again. It was fun and educational at the same time. I was very interested in it.

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Q:What's been the most fun aspect of the program? The most challenging aspect?

A: The most fun aspect of the program has to be when you had to go back and complete the Addison quest before you could continue. It was annoying at the thought of it, but I really do love the storyline when playing the levels. And, the most challenging aspect would be the game called Tales of Versagon by Omni_builder. Because of how careful you had to be. It was so long, and you didn't get any checkpoints and you died, you had to start the whole game again. It also took me a while to find the main objective, but after I did I remembered the route I took and kept on trying to beat the game. And, eventually I finally beat the game.

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​Q: How is this program different from how you've taught or learned things at school? What do you hope to use from the experience in your own course?

A: Well this program is different than what I've learned from school, because this type of learning is not implied. When I was learning a game programming application called Python it was interesting, but not as interesting as this program.To get an application like Python as interesting as this program, give it a well written storyline. If school subjects had a storyline and a good one at that, I would be interested in school more. It would be like I was reading a book all day, but in real life. What I hope to experience in my mom's course is exactly that. I hope to gain experience teaching the students new and fun ways to learn how to become the top-notch game designers that they all can be. We will be teaching them along the way to make educational games about STEM-based careers so that if they happen to not choose game design, they can still have information on exceptional careers in life.

Q: Is the Online Learning Program different than computer or programming classes you've taken before? How?  

A: I am currently in the IT Program at my high school that focuses on computer programing and networking. Last year, I learned three computer programming applications - Scratch, Alice, and Python. In the coming years, I will learn Java, C++, and Oracle. This program is different from the Gamestar Mechanic lesson plan that my mom taught us in the last school year in my after-school leadership program. It's better because it covers a lot of topics in a short period of time and it's more fun. I didn't mind going through the lessons because the storyline was better and it also had more interesting games. The program pushed me to finish the levels in order to proceed to the next task.

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Q: A big part of the program is the iterative design process. It seems like a designers work is never done! Sometimes, as soon as you turn in an assignment the instructor comes back with a "revise" message and you have to go back and change things. How do you feel about the iterative design process? What has it been like to continue changing your games even after you felt like you were "done"?

A: Well, it isn't all that bad, because I know it is only helpful criticism rather than someone saying that I should quit because my game wasn't perfect. I know that through it all when I change my game it gets better. And, as a result of that, most of my games have positive reviews. And of course, work can never be done, the process supports my thoughts because a circle never stops rotating.

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Q: Which of your GSM games is your favorite game that you've designed so far - why is it your favorite? (If it's cool with you, I might want to include a screen shot of it in the post!)

A: My favorite game would have to be David's Revenge because it tests the will of the designer testing the game to see if they are a true designer. And, even I have trouble completing it when I know where everything is. But after you beat the game a couple of times you can go through it like it was nothing.