Penarth boy, 11, breaks video game developer Guiness World Record

Penarth boy, 11, breaks video game developer Guiness World Record

An 11-year-old boy named Max from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, has earned a place in the Guinness World Records as the youngest male video game developer. In May, Max dedicated four hours to creating a game composed of five distinct levels for his record attempt. After waiting six months, he received confirmation via email that he had officially entered the record books. Max described the achievement as “amazing” and expressed his ambition to pursue video game design as a full-time career in the future.

Max’s father, Trevor Baker, shared that his son’s passion for coding began at the age of seven. Since then, Max has published several games on his own and set his sights on breaking a world record. Trevor explained, “He saw there was a record for the female developer but not one for the male,” prompting Max to submit an application with guidance from Guinness World Records on the necessary requirements. During the record attempt, Max was observed by experts to ensure he received no external assistance.

To develop his game, Max utilized the local Makerspace, a facility housed within the Barry and Penarth libraries, offering access to a range of digital and creative tools. According to the Vale of Glamorgan council, the Makerspaces are designed to help people of all ages develop their skills in these areas. Trevor noted that Max often met individuals at the Makerspace who shared their expertise, teaching him new techniques. Trevor remarked, “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.”

Max expressed great happiness over being recognized for his efforts. He explained, “I like coding because whatever you can dream of you can put into a code language and make it real.” Passionate about his craft, Max is filled with ideas for new computer games and is keen to transform his hobby into a profession. He has already researched local game development companies and reached out for advice on entering the industry. Trevor summed up his son’s aspirations, saying, “That’s his goal in life. To become a video game developer.” Following a post on the Vale of Glamorgan council website, several people from the IT and development sectors have contacted Max to offer opportunities, further encouraging his pursuit of a career in gaming

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