“At school, through all of the software engineering and computer classes I was taking, I was helping other students because I already knew how to do everything,” said Cayla.

Now in high school, Cayla has taken a wide range of STEAM courses — from coding to game design — shaping her path toward a future in software engineering. What started as a passion at age seven has grown into a competitive advantage, putting her ahead of her peers and giving her the confidence to pursue her dream career.

“Every week I’m excited — like, I’m pumped-up now just doing this interview!” exclaimed Norman.

Norman aspires to become an indie video game developer. Over the years, he has designed multiple games and is currently building his own version of Super Mario World — developing everything from scratch. The video games he designs give him an opportunity to challenge himself and fully express his creativity. 

“I had a bunch of ideas in my head that I wanted to get out — stories I wanted to create,” said Luke, an animation student at GameU.

His mother, Lisa, reflected on his journey: “When he was younger, he had a really low frustration level and would just want to quit. But at GameU, because of the nature of the beast, he learned that you try and you try again.”

That perseverance paid off. In 2024, Luke won an award at the prestigious Wexley Center in Columbus, Ohio, for his animation CatBunny. Competing against college students and professional animators, Luke — still in high school — proved that talent, hard work, and passion can break barriers.

When asked about his future, Luke’s answer was simple, but powerful: “I want to be an artist. I just want to do something that can be seen.”

These three student stories are just a glimpse of the incredible journeys happening at GameU. Every student who walks through our doors is not just learning skills — they are building futures. Whether they dream of becoming software engineers, game designers, or award-winning artists, GameU is more than a program. It’s a launchpad for what’s next.

GameU’s mission is to facilitate inclusivity in the video game industry, empowering individuals of all abilities – including those with special needs – to learn the skills needed to succeed in game development.

With courses crafted and taught by professionals working in today’s video game sector, GameU is dedicated to staying ahead of industry trends. Students learn the latest skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving world of video game creation.

GameU virtually delivers a wide range of programs across three main avenues:

• All Abilities: Private one-to-one classes, tailored to each students’ needs, including neurologically diverse individuals
• For schools and districts: Built for specifically for K-12 school environments, GameU’s Hybrid+ Program transform students’ love of gaming into valuable STEAM skills with a blend of live instruction, on-demand learning and 1-to-1 training for in-classroom educators
• On-demand: Access to recorded classes, curriculum and game design software via Orbit, GameU’s Self-Guided Learning Platform

GameU provides a comprehensive learning experience that includes both live instruction and self-paced study. GameU is dedicated to empowering students and educators alike, helping them stay ahead of industry trends, to prepare them for the future of game development. For more information, visit game-u.com

To keep up-to-date with GameU classes, programs, events and more, follow GameU on social media: LinkedIn (GameU), Facebook (@GameUSchool), YouTube (@Gameunj), Instagram (@gameuschool), TikTok (@gameuschool_), X (@GameUSchool)

For regular news and thought leadership regarding video game design, video game coding and more, subscribe to GameU’s blog here.