Brooklyn Game Lab — Video Game Design

My 12-year-old son recently participated in the Brooklyn Game Lab's Video Game Design program, and overall, it was a worthwhile experience. The instructor, Mike, was very engaged and provided hands-on support as the kids worked on their game projects. My son loved creating a platformer game with his classmates, which encouraged a lot of teamwork and creativity. One downside was the screen time; I noticed a few kids struggling to manage their time away from the screens. Also, pickup was a bit chaotic, with parents crowding the entrance, making it hard to find my son at times. Despite these minor issues, I appreciated the small group size, which allowed for more personalized attention. If your child enjoys creative projects and can handle a bit of screen time, I would recommend this program.

My 12-year-old son just completed a session at Brooklyn Game Lab for video game design, and overall, it was a solid experience. Each week, they focused on different elements of game creation, from storyboarding to programming. The instructor, Jake, was particularly engaging and really connected with the kids, which I appreciated. My son built a simple platformer game, and he was so proud to show it off to us at home. The small group size allowed for more personalized attention, which I think helped him get the most out of the program. However, I did notice they spent a lot of time in front of screens, which raised some concerns for me about balance. While the kids were creating and learning, I wish they incorporated a bit more hands-on activities away from the computer, maybe even some outdoor brainstorming sessions. Despite this, I would recommend the program for kids who are creative and interested in tech, as it sparked my son's enthusiasm for game design.