An 11-year-old boy has become a Guinness World Record holder after displaying a talent for video game developing.
Max, from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, spent four hours developing a game with five unique levels during his record attempt in May.
After six months of waiting, he finally received the email confirming he had entered the record books as the youngest male video game developer.
Max said it was “amazing” to achieve the record and he hoped it would be his first step to becoming a full-time video game designer in the future.
His dad Trevor Baker said Max had loved coding since he first had a go at the age of seven.
He has since gone on to publish several of his own games which led to him eyeing up the world record.
“He saw there was a record for the female developer but not one for the male,” said Trevor, 42.
“So he put together an application and they [Guinness World Records] send you what is required.”
The video game took four hours in total to develop, and Max was observed by experts to ensure he received no support.
Max used the local Makerspace area which offers access to a variety of different tools and equipment.
The council website says the state-of-the-art facilities, in Barry and Penarth libraries, aim to help people of all ages improve their digital and creative skills.
Trevor said his son often met people there who shared their skills and “show him how to do different things”.
“It’s really exciting. They identify a problem – such as how do I make the character jump – then learn about it and then he can test it in the environment,” he said.
Max said he was “really, really happy” to be recognised for the hard work he has put in.
“I like coding because whatever you can dream of you can put into a code language and make it real,” he said.
He wants this to become a full-time career as he “always has ideas” for new computer games.
“It’s brilliant to be able to make them happen,” he added.
He has already researched local game development companies and has reached out to get information about getting into the industry.
“That’s his goal in life. To become a video game developer,” his dad said.
A post on the Vale of Glamorgan Facebook page has led to people offering opportunities to Max.
“A couple of people reached out and said they are in the IT industry or in development work asking Max to get in touch,” said Trevor.
“There’s definitely lots of opportunities and it’s definitely something he is pursuing for sure.”
Osian Taubman-Edwards, from Mold, Flintshire, started developing video games on Roblox when he was 14, after becoming “majorly obsessed” with the creative process.
He has gone on to create some of the most viewed games on the platform including Barry’s Prison Run which has racked up four billion visits.
Like Max, he is self-taught – something which can only be achieved if you have the “passion”, according to Osian.
“I fell in love with it,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily something anyone can do, it’s the heart that’s needed to do it.”
Osian said the introduction of Youtube tutorials had revolutionised the way people can learn to code and programme.
“[In the past], you had to go to university to study programming or media studies.
“Now, I can just watch a basic YouTube video on how to do it and I can learn from that.”
Osian added that it was not necessarily that people were getting smarter, but that “technology is helping us to get to where we need to get to quicker”.
Local councillor Rhiannon Birch said Max’s journey “demonstrates exactly what our Makerspaces are designed to inspire”.
“These spaces are central to our commitment to providing opportunities and to nurture the next generation of innovators, creators, and digital leaders in the Vale of Glamorgan,” she added.
By BBC News
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
