Every school has those students with endless ambition, those students who give whatever passion they have, their all. Derek Kessler would fall into this category. Derek Kessler, a senior at Viewpoint and known for his incredible computer science talent, is currently undertaking a tremendous task: creating a video game. But not just any game, a massive open-world-like video game that will be released on Steam for all to enjoy (except console players, of course). However, Derek didn’t just decide one day that he was going to make a massive game; it took years of determination, self-teaching, and brainstorming to begin working on this project.
Before he set out to create this game, Derek spent years honing his skills. After he told his mom he wanted to make his own video game, he started making games on the coding website Scratch. Scratch is a coding website for beginners; it’s used as an introduction to programming and game development. He would then post the games he made on a website called itch.io—a site that lets people upload their games for free. In fifth grade, Derek posted eight games on itch.io, until sixth grade when Derek levelled up. During COVID, Derek found it hard to stay in touch with family and friends, so he came up with an idea. The most-played game of all time, Minecraft, has things called data packs, which are folders that modify Minecraft’s core game mechanics, world generation, and other features without using traditional mods. Derek would then use and create data packs to build his own game within Minecraft. He and his family could now all connect despite being in lockdown. It was really during this time that Derek truly found his passion for game creation, yet he wasn’t satisfied with making datapacks in Minecraft alone; he wanted to do more, to be better. So in eighth grade, Derek finally set aside Minecraft and began creating games on a game engine called Unity. The Unity game engine gives people tools to make the graphics, physics, and sound design for their own game, enhancing the immersive experience. Derek would make many games using Unity, and with each game, he would grow into a better programmer and game developer.
It is my privilege to have known Derek my entire high school career. He is one of the most motivated, determined, and talented people I have ever met. Derek has had to balance schoolwork, college applications, and being an all-CIF Cross-Country runner while creating his game. When asked how he balances time between school and developing his game, Derek responded, “I just try to do a little work each day, so I don’t lose sight of my goal.” Derek has also shown immense dedication to this project outside of school, drawing concept art and journaling every idea that pops into his head. It is also worth noting that Derek is entirely self-taught regarding coding and programming. Derek’s motivation, ambition, and passion for game development are qualities he attributes to his mother. Derek says his mother is one of his biggest supporters. He is also very grateful to his two friends Thomas and Damian who supported him throughout his programming. Thomas worked directly on the soundtrack, and Damian physically helped him make the games and promote them. Derek views each game he creates as a learning experience, even calling his current project “highly academic.” Derek says that each game he has made so far has taught him something new about programming. His past projects have taught him how to make an online game, create artificial intelligence for NPCs (non-player characters) that allow them to move freely and feel more lifelike, and develop a distinctive art style for his games.
Derek says that his newest project allows him to learn more about rendering graphics, creating boss fights, and writing a thorough, engaging story that people would want to be part of. His current project also blends another of his passions with programming: filmmaking. Since Derek’s game will include cutscenes (scenes, usually videos, shown in a video game that do not require any game input), he, like a filmmaker, must direct how the cutscene will play out and the camera angles used during it. Derek aims to have a demo release of the game on the video game platform Steam by the end of his senior year. Derek’s game is heavily inspired by the Dark Souls and God of War games by FromSoftware and Sony, respectively. The game will be an open-world, Dark Fantasy-esque, souls-like (inspired by Dark Souls), The general idea of the story is that you play as a knight from a kingdom surrounded by walls. No one has been outside the walls for hundreds of years, until a dragon attacks the city. The kingdom bands together an army of knights to fight back against the dragon; however, every person in the army, except your player character, is killed, and the dragon transports you far away from the kingdom. You now set out on a mission to return to the kingdom. The title of the game, as of right now, is The Unknown World. The game’s script for many of the characters’ voicelines has already been made. He has stated that “All of the programming for the game is done,” and that he only needs to focus on modelling (designing) characters, the world, and NPCs, continuing to flesh out the story, and making the sound design for the game. Derek’s new game will have three acts and a prologue. He has said that at the end of each act will be a boss fight, and that the world for act one has been completed, and the world for act two is underway.
Derek is setting out into new territory in one of the most challenging endeavors many programmers undertake; he deserves all the support we give him and more. The simple fact that Derek is undergoing this challenge proves his grit, hard work, and determination, as well as his passion for game development and programming. If you want to learn more about Derek’s upcoming video game, he also posts updates, concept art, and character modelling on Instagram at @dkessy.games.
